Somi Arian

The Definitive Guide to Peak Startup

Peak Startup

In this Session: Angel investors are a vital source of funding and mentorship for entrepreneurs and startups. To secure their support, you need not only a great idea but also the skills to find the right angels and convince them to invest in your venture. This event is designed to provide you with the knowledge, strategies, and practical insights required to identify prospective angel investors,&nbsp;tailor your pitch to their interests, and build lasting relationships that go beyond just financial support. Topics include: <ol><li class="ql-align-justify">Understanding Angel Investors</li><li class="ql-align-justify">Angel Investor Persona</li><li class="ql-align-justify">Effective Networking</li><li class="ql-align-justify">Pitching Skills</li><li class="ql-align-justify">Managing Angel Investor Relations, and more. </li></ol> About the Speaker: Dejana Dua is an early-stage investor and advisor to technology startups in cybersecurity, biotech, clean tech, med/fem tech, fintech, immersive learning, fashion, and other sectors. She partners with exceptional, passionate founders with extraordinary vision, set out to define and tackle the biggest challenges across industries.&nbsp;As a mentor with a dynamic communication style, Dejana continually develops practices and processes to inspire, innovate, and harness new ways of thinking. With over twenty years of experience in tech and innovation, Dejana currently serves as a partner at Anexa Capital, a founding member and angel investor at the Firehood, a member of the Board of Advisors at George Washington University (Innovation and Entrepreneurship subcommittee), a girls volleyball coach, and a mom to two teenagers (first year university and high school).&nbsp;

Founder-director

Dejana Dua

Angel Investors: Finding Them and Winning Them Over

In this Session: In this tailored talk, our expert speaker will walk you through the legal intricacies that every founder should know. From structuring your business to protect your interests and navigating the complexities of intellectual property to understanding the implications of fundraising, this session will cover the essential legal knowledge you need to safeguard your startup's future. Our guest speaker brings a wealth of experience offering a dual perspective that's rare and invaluable. He will share best practices, common pitfalls to avoid, and strategies to ensure your startup's legal health is a stepping stone to success, not a stumbling block. Whether you're drafting your first terms of service or preparing for a funding round, this event will equip you with the legal acumen necessary to lead your startup with confidence. Join us to gain insights that could save you time, money, and legal headaches down the road. About the Speaker: Alex Haffner is a Commercial and Regulatory lawyer who specializes in guiding companies within technology-driven sectors through their daily commercial and regulatory necessities. He has a knack for advising start-ups and high-growth enterprises on their legal prerequisites and securing external investment to amplify their operations. Serving as a trusted confidant to his clientele, Alex seamlessly integrates as an extension of their in-house teams. His involvement transcends sporadic legal issues, focusing on assisting companies and their stakeholders in devising strategies that mitigate and address legal risks.His expertise spans regulatory and comprehensive commercial subjects across diverse sectors like Media, Technology, Telecoms, Sports, Pharmaceuticals, and Education. Additionally, Alex adeptly handles structuring, commercial, and IP matters concerning entrepreneurs and investors in burgeoning enterprises. Renowned for his insights, Alex frequently contributes to both written and spoken press, addressing legal challenges faced by tech-centric companies. Driven by a commitment to leveraging his insights and connections, he aids industries in circumventing legal and regulatory hurdles. Alex's dedication to his field is further exemplified by his active participation on the boards of industry trade entities, such as LawinSport and the Association for Interactive Media and Micropayments (AIMM).

Alex Haffner

Legal Essentials for StartUp Founders

In this Session: This hands-on session is designed to equip entrepreneurs and startup founders with essential skills to view strategy through the lens of financial forecasting.&nbsp;In this workshop, participants will delve into the art and science of financial forecasting, gaining insights into effective methodologies and best practices. Through interactive exercises and real-world case studies, attendees will learn to translate business strategy into projected revenue, expenses, and cash flows with precision, enabling them to make informed decisions and steer their businesses towards sustainable growth.&nbsp;Katie Whitcraft, a seasoned financial strategist with a track record of guiding startups to success, will share her extensive knowledge and practical tips. With years of experience in the startup ecosystem, Katie brings a unique perspective on aligning financial strategies with broader business objectives.&nbsp;Key Topics Covered:- Techniques for building realistic revenue projections- Managing variable and fixed costs for optimal budgeting- Cash flow management and liquidity planning- Scenario analysis for risk mitigation and contingency planning&nbsp;Don't miss this opportunity to elevate your financial planning skills and propel your business towards success. Reserve your spot now! About the Speaker: Katie Whitcraft is the COO of Foundry 415 Innovation Group, San Francisco’s premier innovation hub guiding global businesses and startups through customized innovation services. Foundry 415 provides the network, resources and guidance necessary for successful innovation ecosystems around the world. Through Foundry 415’s corporate innovation services, accelerator/incubator programs and executive education, our clients and partners are fueling their growth through innovation. Katie has more than 15 years of experience in operations. Her expertise is focused on human resources strategy, financial analysis and forecasting, as well as the crossroads of technology and business efficiency. Prior to her role at Foundry 415 Innovation Group, she was the General Manager of Circus Center and responsible for growing the budget of the small California nonprofit from &lt;500K to 1.8M. She also served as the Director of Operations for Runway Innovation Hub lowering expenses over 2M during her tenure. Katie is an advisor to organizations around the US in operational strategies and compliance. Notably Bay Area Creative (BAC), a BIPOC led, spoken word performance organization dedicated to underserved youth in the Bay Area. Katie also founded and operates a film production company, Troubleshoot Productions with her partner Colin Johnson. Katie is based in San Francisco and enjoys spending her free time running (recently finishing the New York City Marathon), painting and playing with her rambunctious dog.

Katie Whitcraft

Operations, Finances, Human Resources

Forecasting and Budgeting Techniques for Founders

In this Session: Dive deep into the intricate realm of Investor Relations from the unique perspective of those who hold the capital: the investors themselves. In this illuminating session: <ul><li>Why Investor Relations? Unravel the significance of maintaining a healthy relationship with your investors and its direct impact on the success and growth trajectory of your venture.</li><li>Right Investor: Not all money is created equal. Discover how to identify and align with the perfect investor whose vision resonates with your startup's ethos and long-term goals.</li><li>Managing the Investors: Foster a symbiotic relationship with your investors. Learn the art of effective communication, managing expectations, and steering these crucial relationships towards mutual growth.</li><li>Key Metrics for Investor Relations: Numbers talk. Delve into the critical metrics that matter most to investors and how to keep these figures in a thriving zone.</li></ul> Equip yourself with the knowledge, strategies, and best practices to foster fruitful investor relations. Whether you're an early-stage founder or gearing up for your next funding round, this session is tailored to position you several strides ahead in the investment game. Join us for a transformative experience! About the Speaker: Shashank Randev is an entrepreneur who believes in scaling up startups with seed capital. He is the Founder VC and Co-Founder at 100X.VC and has invested in 150+ innovative startups since the launch ofthe fund in July 2019. Shashank was previously the Founding Member and Vice President of VCCEdge, the data platform by VCCircle. He led revenue, product development and growth initiatives for close to seven years at VCCEdge. VCCircle was acquired by News Corporation in 2015 where he served as business head for the division until 2016. He has also worked with NIIT Ltd. and Zensar Technologies Ltd. He is also an Angel Investor with a portfolio in B2B Emerging technology, Deeptech, SaaS, Cleantech, ConsumerTech and ConsumerTech startups. Shashank holds an undergraduate degree in Bachelor ofEngineering from Nagpur University, and an MBA from International Management Institute (IMI), New Delhi. The entrepreneurial and investment understanding with 20+ years of cross-functional expertiseenables him to nurture startups. He has acquired a depth and breadth of experience from having worked in large companies, a startup (acquired by a Fortune 500 Company) and an early-stage fund investing in technology-enabled startups. He uses his holistic experience to make 100X.VC a novelmodel for funding, nurturing and scaling seed-stage startups in India. Shashank’s professional ability to develop, launch, and grow products is reflected in the novel model of 100X.VC. As the Co-Founder of 100X.VC, he is part of the Investment Committee and works closely withportfolio companies. Improving the chances of new products succeeding and helping founders raise follow on capital from growth stage VCs, CVCs, and family offices. Shashank lives in Mumbai with his wife, who is a technology consultant working with Google and has a 6-year-old son. He enjoys hiking and swimming.

Shashank 

Investor Relations: Maintaining Healthy Communication

In this Session: Discover the power of Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) as your compass to steer your business towards sustainable growth and strategic excellence. Learn how to identify, measure, and leverage the right metrics that truly matter. From customer acquisition to revenue optimization, this session will equip you with actionable insights to make informed decisions and chart a path to success. About the Speaker: Katrina Purcell is the founder of Katrina Purcell LLC a consulting and fractional COO firm working with nonprofits and technology companies to provide structures for growth and scale. Prior to opening her own firm Katrina was Chief of Staff during an IPO in 2021 and a series b raise&nbsp;earlier in 2023 for SaaS companies. Prior to working with startups she spent the majority of her career at Bloomberg. She holds an MBA from Columbia Business School.

Katrina Purcell

KPI Strategies that every Founder should know

In this Session: Join&nbsp;Sonal&nbsp;for an informative session where as&nbsp;a seed stage investor, she will take you through what investors look for during their due diligence. In 'Anticipating Investor Questions: A Deep Dive,' she provides founders with valuable insights to enhance their due diligence preparation through areas like contracts, financials, term sheets, cap tables, and board structure. This session will help you be better&nbsp;prepared to close on an investor once you have their interest. About the Speaker: Sonal Panda is a Principal at Tau Ventures, investing in early-stage AI startups in healthcare, enterprise, and automation. She began her career in buy-side M&amp;A, evaluating multi-billion dollar deals at a Fortune 500 MNC in India, led business development at the top-rated heart hospital in India, and served as Chief of Staff to the CEO at Signos - a metabolic health startup - where she joined as the first hire and managed operations and finance among other functions. Sonal&nbsp;holds a BS in mechanical engineering from VJTI in Mumbai, and an MBA in Healthcare Management and Finance from Wharton, where she was awarded the merit-based Kaiser Fellowship for exceptional professional, academic, and personal achievement. Growing up in a family of doctors, she is passionate about healthcare which extended to mental health and wellness while volunteering and leading outreach efforts at Samaritans Mumbai - a suicide prevention helpline. Outside San Francisco, she feels most at home in remote corners of the world photographing wildlife.

Sonal Panda 

Anticipating Investor Questions: A Deep Dive

In this Session: Venturing into the world of fundraising for your startup? Navigating the complexities from receiving your term sheet to the euphoria of closing can be daunting. In this comprehensive session, delve into a step-by-step guide tailored exclusively for startups: <ul><li>Demystifying the Term Sheet: Understand the critical elements, common clauses, and how to decipher the underlying intent of investors.</li><li>Negotiation Strategies: Learn how to strike the right balance between safeguarding your startup's interests and addressing investor concerns.</li><li>The Due Diligence Dance: Unpack the due diligence process, preparing your startup for scrutiny, and how to showcase your venture in the best light.</li><li>Sealing the Deal: Get actionable insights into the closing process, ensuring a seamless transition and forging a positive start to the investor-founder relationship.</li></ul> Led by a seasoned VC, this session promises not just theoretical knowledge but real-world insights, anecdotes, and best practices. Whether you're on the brink of your first funding round or refining your approach for subsequent rounds, arm yourself with the knowledge to transition From Term Sheet to Closing with confidence and clarity. Embark on your fundraising journey with a strategic advantage! About the Speaker: Aravinda Seshadri is the Founding Partner of Venturous Counsel, a uniquely mission-driven firm dedicated to exclusively representing underestimated startups and investors committed to prioritizing diversity in their own organizations, as well as assisting such business to find the right legal partner, to help level the playing field for these startups and investors in terms of access to quality legal counsel. Aravinda received her law degree with distinction from Stanford University Law School and her undergraduate degree with honors in Language and Mind from New York University. She has represented a broad range of startups, entrepreneurs, venture capital firms and public companies, working directly with high-level executives and directors, advising companies and investors in various equity financing structures, M&amp;A transactions, licensing and strategic partnerships, as well as day-to-day counseling. She has worked with companies from formation through financing rounds to acquisition or public offering and been primarily responsible for SEC reporting obligations thereafter. Aravinda has over 15 years' of experience working as outside General Counsel to startups and investors in the startup space such as TaskRabbit, Lyft, Tally, Workato, Wonder Workshop, Felicis Ventures, Rakuten and Hustle Fund. A Super Lawyers Rising Star 2015- 2021.

Aravinda 

From Term Sheet to Closing: A Step-by-Step Guide

In this Session: Every groundbreaking idea deserves a stage and an audience that resonates with its vision. Yet, in the world of startups, a compelling vision alone isn’t enough – it's about articulating that vision in a way that captivates and convinces. Dive into the nuanced world of VC pitching with 'The Art and Science of Persuasive Pitching'. Whether you're in the early stages of your startup or gearing up for your next funding round, this event will equip you with the techniques and insights to turn your pitch from informational to influential. Learn how to meld storytelling with data, emotion with logic, and passion with precision. Join us and transform the way VCs perceive your startup's potentialAbout the Speaker: Milli Raina Mili has been a Senior Associate on Crossbeam Investment team since June 2022. Mili started her career as an investment banking analyst at Goldman Sachs, focusing on technology, media, and telecom M&amp;A situations and then held Strategy and Operations roles at Dataminr and Salesforce. Mili received a dual bachelor's degree in Finance and Applied Statistics with a focus on International Relations from Emory University.

Mili 

The Art and Science of Persuasive Pitching

In this Session: Venturing into the realm of Series A funding? Join our enlightening panel discussion hosted by Somi, as we delve into the intricacies of Series A fundraising. Gain firsthand insights from seasoned entrepreneurs, investors, and industry insiders as they decode the expectations and arm you with actionable preparations. Understand what investors seek, how to position your startup for optimal attraction, and the pivotal milestones you need to hit before embarking on this significant phase. Whether you’re a budding founder or a startup veteran, this discussion promises a clearer roadmap to Series A success. Equip yourself with knowledge, network with the best, and navigate your fundraising journey with confidence. About the Speaker: Jason Kirby is an accomplished executive leader, whi has spearheaded four startups to acquisition, collectively raising over $40M. With experience spanning creative services, education, HRtech, gaming, and cloud infrastructure, Jason's strategies have demonstrated versatility across industries. His expertise lies in enhancing customer acquisition, retention, &amp; CLTV, while diminishing CAC through the creation of robust systems and data-driven insights. He specializes in strategic planning, CRM optimization, product marketing, business development, and operational leadership. Currently, as the Co-founder &amp; CEO of Thunder.vc, Jason pioneers a tech-forward investment bank, facilitating capital access for promising startups by connecting them with relevant investors. His previous role as President &amp; COO of Generation Esports saw him elevate the High School Esports League, scaling its reach and influence exponentially. Before that, he transitioned to Walmart post the acquisition of LiquidSky Software, a company where, as Chief Revenue Officer, he fueled remarkable growth and recognition in the cloud gaming domain. Over 14 years, Jason has delved into entrepreneurial ventures, angel investments, and startup consultancy. Chris Dunn M.D. graduated from medical school 1978, pulmonary and critical care medicine training finished in 1984, then medical practice for 20 years. Also served&nbsp;as doctor&nbsp;in the USAF for 8 years. Founding member of Life Science Angels in 2005. Served as Chief Medical Officer at Sequoia Hospital for 5 years. Completed MBA in 2001. Joined Mighty Capital Ventures 2018. Provide screening, due diligence, and board participation on invested companies of Mighty Capital.

Jason Kirby

Decoding the Series A: Expectations and Preparations

Fundraising and Capital

The Art of Bootstrapping: Funding Your Startup Internally

Creating an Engine for Fundraising

Understanding the SAFE Agreement for the US and Overseas Investors

What's a Venture Studio and Should You Join One?

What Canada Has to Offer to Early Stage Startups

Pre-Seed Stage

Seed Funding Round Best Practices

How VCs Think and How to Speak Their Language

Seed Stage Investment Structures

How to Pitch to a Family Office

Revenue Operations

Seed Stage

Post-Funding: Managing Capital Efficiently and Ethically

Series A: How to raise from an institutional investor and not leave millions on the table

Series A, B, C (and beyond) Rounds

Term Sheets Decoded: Clauses, Implications, and More

Ensuring a Fair Deal: Equity, Valuation, and Control

Founders' Equity Dilution and Cap Tables

Negotiating Term Sheets

Financial Planning for the Early-Stage Startup

Post Raise Steps

Debt vs. Equity: What's Best for Your Startup (UK)

Crowdfunding and Alternative Financing

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Pitching and Outreach

Due Diligence Preparation

The Due Diligence Checklist: Being Prepared

Family Office Fundamentals: Strategies for Successful Navigation

When to Approach Venture Capital Investor

The Family Office Playbook: A Blueprint for Strategic Success

Cold Outreach vs. Warm Introductions: Strategies and Etiquette

Building an Investor Target List: Research and Strategy

Targeting and Approaching Investors

The Anatomy of a Winning Pitch Deck

Tailoring Your Deck for Different Investor Types

Pitch Perfect: Bring Your Deck, Leave with Feedback

Crafting a Compelling Pitch Deck

Refining Your Pitch: Feedback and Iteration Strategies

Effective Elevator Pitches

Idea Validation and Market Fit

From Problem to Product: Building Solutions that Matter

Market Size Estimation: VC vs Founder Perspective

Idea to Reality: Challenges of Finding Product Market Fit

Customer Discovery: How to Find Your Value Proposition

Market Research 

The MVP Blueprint: What Investors Are Looking for in Prototypes

Iterative Testing: Refining Your MVP with Real Feedback

Minimum Viable Product (MVP) Development

Differentiation in a Crowded Market: Finding Your Unique Space

Mapping the Competitive Landscape: Tools and Techniques

Competitive Analysis

Navigating Technology Shifts

Strategies to Future-Proof Your Startup Against Tech Disruptions

Case Study: Companies That Successfully Pivoted Amidst Tech Changes

Incubator/Accelerator Trends for 2024

Adapting to Market Disruptions

AI, Quantum, and Beyond: Deciphering the Next Big Tech Waves

Emerging Technologies & Their Impact

Operational Excellence

6 Steps to Build an Accountable Culture for Startup Excellence

How to Build a Dream Team for your Startup

Leadership and Management in High-Growth Startups

Hiring for Startups: Finding the Right Fit

Your First Three Hires: Building Your Core Team

Building and Scaling Teams

Operational Efficiency: Tools and Methodologies

Setting up Operational Processes

Efficient Cash Flow Management

Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) and Metrics

Growth and Marketing

How to Get to Revenue and Build Your Sales Pipeline

User Acquisition Strategies

How to Get Media Coverage for Your Startup

Branding and Positioning

Growth Hacking Techniques for Startups

The Science of Scaling: When and How Fast

Scaling User Base

A Deep Dive into the Growth Hacking Mindset

How to build a Nimble, Capital-Efficient, and Resilient Business

Growth Hacking Techniques

Product Development

Startup Self-Awareness: Uncovering Your Product Development Blind Spots

Agile for Startups: Flexibility and Speed

Agile and Lean Development Methodologies

From MVP to Scalable Product: The Evolution Process

Product-Market Fit Refinement

Legal and Compliance

Startup Incorporation Basics

Patents, Trademarks, and Copyrights: What Founders Need to Know

Protecting Your Startup: Developing Your IP Strategy

Intellectual Property and Patents

International Expansion: Considerations and Hurdles

Funding in the US: to Incorporate or not Incorporate

Regulatory Compliance

Impact, ESG, Diversity Focused Funds

What Is Impact Investing and How to Know if it Suits Your Startup

Harvesting Tomorrow: VC Strategies for Ag, Food, and Climate Tech Innovators

How to Find Your Edge as a Female Founder/Executive

Insurtech: A $3trn Opportunity for Entrepreneurs

Leveraging  Academic Opportunities for Your Startup: From Funding to Research

How to Build Your Company's Governance Model and Board Structure

Impact

Mind the Gap: Founders, VCs, and the Mental Health Equation

How to Manage Burnout: A Founder's Guide to Staying Sane

Empowering Underrepresented Founders: How Your Unique Identity Can Be Your Strength