Startup Founder & VC Forum: How to Engage & Pitch Investors 101

Join us on July 30, 2025, for a high-impact session designed to help early-stage founders decode the art of investor engagement. Learn directly from VCs and seasoned founders how to build relationships, tell your story, and pitch with confidence.

Whether you're raising your first round or simply want to build relationships with investors the right way, this forum will give you the inside edge.

Join us for a founder-focused session with real VCs, angel investors, and experienced startup leaders who’ve been on both sides of the table. You’ll walk away with practical strategies for:

• Finding the right investors for your stage and vision
• Making a strong first impression in meetings and warm intros
• Structuring your pitch to communicate traction, vision, and credibility
• Avoiding the biggest mistakes founders make when fundraising

❯ Featuring:

• Trey Ikard (WIV Ventures)
• Paola Retes (VP, LiveOak Ventures)
• Marisa Vickers (Associate Director, Founder Institute Austin)
• Mike Sherbakov (General Partner, The Veteran Fund)
• Francesco Cassinerio (Mentor, Founder Institute Texas)

This is not a generic panel—it’s a tactical, high-signal workshop + networking opportunity designed to sharpen your fundraising game and expand your investor network.

❯ Ideal for: early-stage founders, pre-seed and seed entrepreneurs, and anyone preparing to raise capital in the next 6–12 months.

❯❯ This is an in-person event, so be sure to RSVP at https://fi.co/e/375855/meetup to secure your spot and receive further details.