Rare Founders

Raising capital isn’t just about pitch decks and polish it’s about power, positioning, and protecting what’s yours.

​In this no-BS masterclass, former venture capitalist Soma Pirityi is flipping the script. He’s bringing founders inside the investor mindset and giving you the playbook to negotiate on your terms.

​If you’re a startup founder or CEO gearing up for your next raise (or still licking wounds from your last one), this is the session that could save your equity, your vision, and your sanity.

​You’ll leave with:

​A 360° understanding of what really matters in a term sheet
Forget the jargon. We’ll break down what each clause really means for your business in the long run, and how to assess a term sheet from the perspective of long-term control and upside.

​Proven negotiation tactics that shift power back to the founder
This isn’t theory. These are real-world, battle-tested tactics that have helped founders close better deals, set healthy boundaries with VCs, and retain more ownership.

​Scripts, strategies, and signals for spotting VC games
VCs have patterns and once you see them, you can call them out, push back, or play them better. Learn how to read between the lines and make decisions from a place of strength, not fear.

​A toolkit to protect your cap table, your mission, and your control
No more giving away the farm. You’ll receive resources that help you preserve optionality, prepare for future rounds, and stay in control of the company you’ve built.

​The confidence to say no to bad deals and attract better ones
It’s not just about walking away it’s about creating deals that reflect your true value. Walk into your next pitch with a founder-first mindset that commands respect.

​What You’ll Learn (Deep Dive):

​Part 1: The Psychology of a Power Position
We’ll open with the invisible forces that shape every investor conversation—your energy, framing, and mindset.
You’ll learn:

• ​How to walk into the room with leverage, even with zero revenue
• ​Why tone and positioning matter more than your deck
• ​What’s really going on in a VC’s head during your pitch—and how to shift it in your favour

​Part 2: The Anatomy of a Term Sheet
This section is your insider’s lens. We’ll take you clause-by-clause through a real term sheet, decoding what each section means and how it impacts your future.
You’ll learn:

• ​How seemingly harmless clauses can cost you millions
• ​The differences between standard vs. sneaky terms
• ​How to know when to push back and when to walk away

​Part 3: Negotiation Techniques for Founders
Negotiation is both art and science and you’ll learn both.
You’ll leave with:

• ​Tactical phrases to slow things down, shift control, and reframe pressure
• ​Counter-scripts for founder-unfriendly terms
• ​How to use silence, ego management, and timing as strategic tools

​Part 4: How Founders Get Screwed – And How Not To
This is the brutal reality check every founder needs. From option pool shuffles to control rights hidden in fine print, we’ll expose how power is taken without you even realizing it.
You’ll learn:

• ​How to safeguard your team, your equity, and your mission
• ​What founder traps to avoid in early and late-stage deals
• ​The best practices for staying clean and confident through multiple funding rounds

​Bonus Materials Included:

​Every attendee (regardless of the tier) will receive a downloadable founder negotiation pack including:

• ​Negotiation Script Sheet

Real examples of what to say in high-stakes investor conversations

• ​Red Flag Checklist

Know what clauses, behaviours, and terms should raise alarms

• ​Liquidation Preference Calculator

See the real-world impact of different preference structures on exits

• ​Term Sheet Scorecard

A quick-reference tool to evaluate how founder-friendly any deal really is

​You’ll walk out sharper, bolder, and equipped with the knowledge to secure terms that actually serve you.

​Who is Soma Pirityi?

​Soma Pirityi is a former venture capitalist who has backed over 50 startups across the US and Europe. With years of experience negotiating deals, leading funding rounds, and navigating boardroom battles, Soma knows the VC world inside out. Now, as Founder & CEO of ETA Technologies, he’s building psychometric AI tools to assess team dynamics, founder psychology, and fundraising readiness, empowering founders to secure the right deals on the right terms.
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​Agenda

​09:30 - 10:00: Arrivals & Networking
​Ease into the morning with coffee & connection
​10:00 - 12:30: Live Masterclass: How to Negotiate Like a Founder.
​12:30 - 13:00: End of event for Tier 1 & 2, Lunch break for Tier 3 attendees.
​13:00 - 17:00: Tier 3: Pitch Deck Reviews & Co-working.

​​Features at the event

​👶 Free Childcare Services by Em & Drew (please request on booking, Em & Drew will then contact you to discuss further plans). Kids age: 5/6 months - 7 years (Children between 7 - 10 years, we can, but need to review).
​​​🧠 Quiet Room
​​​✅ Safety Reporting Tool by Safespace Plus.

​👉 Spots are limited—sign up now.

​​​By joining the event, you’re allowing us to capture and share some of the great moments! Photos and videos taken may be used later to showcase our community and for marketing, helping us make future events even better.​​​​

​​Interested in more startup events in London? Sign up for our weekly newsletter on top handpicked startup events in London for founders and investors. See more details here

​​​​​What to sponsor the event and get exposure with hundreds of businesses? Please email fraya@rarefounders.com

​​​​A Huge Thanks to our Partners!

​​Childcare Partner
​​​Em & Drew will provide on-site pop-up childcare services during our event for free, creating inclusive environments where parents can focus and participate without the challenges of coordinating childcare. Their services offer a safe, nurturing space for children, allowing parents to engage, network, and thrive.

​Safety Partner
​​​Safespace Plus will help foster an environment of safety and empowerment with our Code of Conduct & incident reporting system, giving our attendees a secure platform to voice any concerns and ensuring that everyone feels heard and valued.

​Venue Partner
​​Runway East is a dynamic venue partner offering a variety of flexible event spaces across London and Bristol, ideal for meetings, workshops, and networking events. Their locations feature modern amenities such as AV equipment, high-speed Wi-Fi, and on-site support, ensuring a seamless experience for hosts and attendees alike. Trusted by companies like Airbnb, Unilever, and Tech Nation, Runway East provides vibrant, well-connected spaces that foster creativity and collaboration.

Rare Founders’ legendary open mic pitching and networking event is back for the summer—this time are focussed on defense.
​This year’s Spring Statement was clear: defence and innovation are intertwined.
​📈 £2.2bn increase in defence spending next year
🔬 £400m ringfenced for innovation
🧠 10% of the MoD equipment budget allocated to novel tech
​Defence is a hot topic but is it as promising as many think? Join us to find out.
​The open mic pitching will be exclusively for startups building in the defence space (dual use) — though the event is open to everyone to attend.
​We’ll kick things off with a fire chat about defence trends with our special guests:

• ​Logan Torrence - the founder of an AI defense company focused on advancing national security through cutting-edge technologies that counter emerging threats. With a background in autonomous systems, operational strategy, and technology commercialization, he brings deep Silicon Valley experience to the mission of strengthening U.S. and allied capabilities.
• ​TBC - VC/ Family Office investing in defence

​The rest of the night is your classic Rare Founders format: a mix of open mic pitching and buzzing networking. Every 20-30 minutes, we’ll randomly pick 5-6 defence founders who are fundraising to pitch for 1 minute. And yes, the water guns are still here if you go over time—so keep it snappy!

***

​Agenda:
​6.00 pm - 7.00 pm — Arrival & Networking
​7:00 pm - 7:40 pm — Welcome + fire side chat with our guests
​8:00 pm - 8:20 pm — Open mic pitching, 1st round (Female Founders First)
​8:20 pm - 8:40 pm — Networking
​8:40 pm - 9:00 pm — Open mic pitching, 2nd round
​9:00 pm - 9:20 pm — Networking
​9:20 pm - 9:40 pm — Open mic pitching, 3rd round

***

​Don’t just hear about it—come experience it. Our Open Mic & Networking Night is where the UK startup scene comes alive with game-changing connections and electric community vibes. Whether you’re a regular or it’s your first time, this is where opportunities spark, conversations flow, and the ecosystem thrives.
​Come for the energy, stay for the connections—you won’t want to miss it! 🚀

***

​​👉 Spots are limited—sign up now.
​​By joining the event, you’re allowing us to capture and share some of the great moments! Photos and videos taken may be used later to showcase our community and for marketing, helping us make future events even better.​​​​
​Interested in more startup events in London? Sign up for our weekly newsletter on top handpicked startup events in London for founders and investors. See more details here.

***

## ​​​​What to sponsor the event and get exposure with hundreds of businesses? Please email fraya@rarefounders.com

***

## ​​​A Huge Thanks to our Partners!

## ​Safety Partner

​​**Safespace Plus **will help foster an environment of safety and empowerment with our Code of Conduct & incident reporting system, giving our attendees a secure platform to voice any concerns and ensuring that everyone feels heard and valued.

## ​Venue Partner

​​​​**Blue Marlin Ibiza London** 🏙️ - a private members' club offering a mix of luxury and creativity. Located in Shoreditch, it features a rooftop pool, restaurant, workspace, club, gym, and spa. Members can enjoy exclusive events, DJ sets, and a sophisticated ambience, creating a unique day-to-night experience in the heart of London. Want to join and save on joining fees? Use this link to apply.
​By joining the event, you’re allowing us to capture and share some of the great moments! Photos and videos taken may be used later to showcase our community and for marketing, helping us make future events even better.

If success is about working smarter, not just harder this one’s for you.

​Join us for a transformative masterclass with Faris Aranki, CEO of Shiageto Consulting, where we dive into the real skills behind influence, communication, and strategic success. Whether you’re leading a team, pitching to investors, or navigating difficult conversations, this session is designed to help you interact with anyone more effectively and achieve more of what matters.

​Why This Matters Now

​​In a world where your message competes with constant noise, being able to influence and engage effectively is no longer a “nice to have.” It’s a superpower. This masterclass arms you with practical techniques and frameworks to cut through distraction, lead with clarity, and deliver results whether you’re pitching a VC or building your team.

​​What You’ll Learn:

• ​​How to identify and improve your IQ, EQ, and FQ—and why that gives you a competitive edge
• ​​Tools to boost your influence, strengthen communication, and deepen your personal and professional relationships
• ​​Insight into how Faris helped scale a global consultancy and how these methods apply to startups, corporates, and creatives alike.

​Agenda

​09:30 - 10:00: Arrivals & Networking
​Ease into the morning with coffee & connection

​10:00 - 11:30: Session 1: What is IQ, EQ, FQ?
​Live with Faris you'll discover practical ways to enhance yours.

​11:30 - 12:00: Lunch Break
​Continue conversations, share insights, and unwind.

​12:00 - 13:30: Session 2: Deep Dive Applications & Live Q&A

​13:30 - 14:30: Open Networking
​Finish up with a good chin wag before continuing with your day.

​14:30 - 16:30 | Advanced masterclass on Communication and influencing skills with personalised feedback
​ Tier 2 & 4 Tickets afternoon session only.

​​Who is Faris Aranki?

​​Faris is the founder and CEO of Shiageto Consulting—an award-winning firm helping global teams think sharper, collaborate better, and execute faster. After more than 20 years delivering strategic change for major brands like Amazon, Heineken, NHS, M&S, and Reckitt, Faris realised most businesses don’t fail because of bad ideas—they fail because they can’t get people to align around those ideas.

​​His secret? A unique performance formula: Success = IQ × EQ × FQ
Where IQ is the intelligence to form great ideas, EQ is the emotional intelligence to bring others with you, and FQ is the focus to get it done.

​​A former high school teacher turned global strategist, Faris blends real-world experience with sharp insight and storytelling. His work has helped companies unlock over $40m in value and transform how their teams communicate and lead.

​​Features at the event

​👶 Free Childcare Services by Em & Drew (please request on booking, Em & Drew will then contact you to discuss further plans). Kids age: 5/6 months - 7 years (Children between 7 - 10 years, we can, but need to review).
​​​🧠 Quiet Room
​​​✅ Safety Reporting Tool by Safespace Plus.

​👉 Spots are limited—sign up now.

​​​By joining the event, you’re allowing us to capture and share some of the great moments! Photos and videos taken may be used later to showcase our community and for marketing, helping us make future events even better.​​​​

​​Interested in more startup events in London? Sign up for our weekly newsletter on top handpicked startup events in London for founders and investors. See more details here

​​​​​What to sponsor the event and get exposure with hundreds of businesses? Please email fraya@rarefounders.com

​​​​A Huge Thanks to our Partners!

​​Childcare Partner
​​​Em & Drew will provide on-site pop-up childcare services during our event for free, creating inclusive environments where parents can focus and participate without the challenges of coordinating childcare. Their services offer a safe, nurturing space for children, allowing parents to engage, network, and thrive.

​Safety Partner
​​​Safespace Plus will help foster an environment of safety and empowerment with our Code of Conduct & incident reporting system, giving our attendees a secure platform to voice any concerns and ensuring that everyone feels heard and valued.

​Venue Partner
​​Runway East is a dynamic venue partner offering a variety of flexible event spaces across London and Bristol, ideal for meetings, workshops, and networking events. Their locations feature modern amenities such as AV equipment, high-speed Wi-Fi, and on-site support, ensuring a seamless experience for hosts and attendees alike. Trusted by companies like Airbnb, Unilever, and Tech Nation, Runway East provides vibrant, well-connected spaces that foster creativity and collaboration.