Founders Turned Funders: A Special Panel Event
Details
What changes when the person pitching becomes the person writing the check?On March 26, Startup Grind Chicago brings together former founders who now invest in startups. They’ve raised capital, made payroll, managed boards, and lived through exits. Now they sit on the other side of the table.THE PANELISTSHear from Desiree Vargas Wrigley and Tessa Flippin.Desiree is the Founding GP of Velocity Catalysts Funds, investing in Midwest quantum, biotech, life sciences, and more. She previously founded Pearachute and GiveForward, acquired by GoFundMe. She also was Chief Innovation Officer of P33, and Executive Director of TechRise. AND she's a Shark Tank alum!Tessa is the Founder and Managing Partner of Capitalize VC, investing in pre-seed stage tech companies serving the rapidly evolving global commerce industry. Prior to venture capital, Tessa founded La Plataforma, an e-commerce tech company connecting peer to peer payments to retailers and convenient stores. These are heavy-hitting, active VCs who entered the game as founders, successfully exited, and now look to fund the next generation of Chicago.You'll learn things like:How VCs look for signalsWhat former founders THOUGHT was important versus what's reality.How to think like an investorWhere is Chicago venture headed next?And more!If you’re building, raising, investing, or just trying to understand how capital really flows in this city, grab a seat.This event is part of the global Startup Grind community's celebration of International Women’s Month.
Agenda
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Panelists
Desiree Vargas Wrigley - Velocity Catalyst Management (Founding GP)
Desiree Vargas Wrigley is the Founding GP of Velocity Catalyst Funds, where she invests in the founders and emerging managers building the next generation of homegrown multi-billion dollar companies in Chicago & IL’s most critical sectors. She has spent the last 17 years building in and for Chicago as a founder, innovation leader, and angel investor, her superpower being connecting diverse…
Tessa Flippin - Capitalize VC (Founder, Managing Partner)
Tessa Flippin is the Founder and Managing Partner of Capitalize VC, investing in pre-seed stage tech companies serving the rapidly evolving global commerce industry. Capitalize invests in emerging B2B commerce-enablement technology that serves retailers, CPG brands, creators and their supply chains. Tessa began her career in venture capital as a venture investor at TechNexus, a Chicago-based f…
Hosted By
Rajiv Nathan, Director
Hey there! Great to meet you! I'm Rajiv Nathan aka RajNATION. I started attending Startup Grind Chicago events in 2019, became a co-director in 2020, and started leading the chapter in 2022. My goal for the chapter is to provide you with perspective, whether that's through our content, event formats, or trainings.
My main gig is running the firm Startup Hypeman, building startup pitches for both fundraising and customer growth so you don't just go to market, you become The GOAT to Market.
Sid Khaitan, Head of Community
Brittany Canty,
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Global Partner
Carta (http://www.carta.com/launch?utm_campaign=20240423-nam-general-smb-startup_grind_partnership&utm_medium=social&utm_source=startup_grind)
Carta helps people manage equity, build businesses, and invest in the companies of tomorrow. Carta Launch is the only free cap table product, helping new founders get started. The company is trusted by more than 40,000 companies, over 7,000 funds and SPVs, and over two million equity holders to manage cap tables, compensation, valuations, liquidity, and more. For more information, visit carta.com.
Partners
Startup Hypeman (https://www.startuphypeman.com)
Startup Hypeman develops fundraising and customer pitches so you don't just go to market, you become The GOAT to Market
Big Star Cocktails (https://www.instagram.com/bigstarcocktails/?hl=en)
Spicy margaritas, margaritas, and palomas from your favorite Chicago taco spot, ready-to-drink straight from the can!
System Seltzers (https://systemseltzers.com/)
System Seltzers is the World's First Inclusive Drinking System™
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Startup Grind is a global startup community designed to educate, inspire, and connect entrepreneurs. We host monthly events in more than 600 cities and 125+ countries featuring successful local founders, innovators, educators and investors who share personal stories and lessons learned on the road to building great companies. Our monthly fireside chat interviews, startup mixers and annual conferences provide ample opportunities to connect with amazing startups and the people behind them, tap into a strong support network, form meaningful connections and gain inspiration for the startup journey ahead. For more information visit StartupGrind.com or follow us on twitter @StartupGrind.
Complete your event RSVP here: https://www.startupgrind.com/events/details/startup-grind-chicago-presents-founders-turned-funders-a-special-panel-event/.