Cracking the Angel Code: How to Get Funded with John Sechrest

Details

RSVP Here:
https://www.startupgrind.com/e/mm43am/

Are you a startup founder eager to secure angel funding? Or maybe you're curious about what it takes to become an angel investor yourself? Join us for an engaging Fireside Chat with John Sechrest, founder of the Seattle Angel Conference, as he shares insider insights on what it takes to capture the attention—and investment—of angel investors. Whether you're a first-time founder, looking to refine your approach, or considering stepping into the world of angel investing, this event will equip you with the knowledge and strategies to succeed.

What You’ll Learn:

What Angels Really Look For: Discover the key factors that make startups attractive to angel investors, from standout team dynamics and market potential to your business model. John will break down the secret sauce that helps founders differentiate themselves and win funding—and offer insights into what makes a good investment from an angel’s perspective.
Crafting a Pitch That Gets Funded: Learn how to create a pitch that resonates with investors, highlighting what matters most and avoiding common pitfalls that turn them off. John will share tips on storytelling, presentation, and the crucial elements that make your pitch memorable and fundable—knowledge that’s invaluable for founders and aspiring angels alike.
Demystifying the Investment Process: John will guide you through what happens behind the scenes after a pitch—how investors think, evaluate, and decide. Gain clarity on the terms, negotiation points, and expectations that can make or break your funding journey and see if becoming an angel investor might be right for you.
Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them: Learn from real-world examples, including some investing mishaps, so you can avoid the missteps that often derail founders. Gain practical advice on what not to say, what to focus on, and how to keep investors engaged—plus, get a candid look at what angels wish they’d known before they started investing.
The Power of the Right Partnerships: Understand how to find the right angel investors for your business—those who not only provide capital but also add value through mentorship, connections, and strategic advice. Aspiring angels will also learn how to bring more than just money to the table when investing in startups.
Whether you're actively raising capital, exploring the world of angel funding, or considering becoming an angel investor, this event is your chance to learn directly from an expert who’s seen it all. Walk away with actionable insights, answers to your questions, and the confidence to navigate the angel investment landscape successfully—on either side of the deal.

Event Details:
October 10th at 5:30 PM

The Collective: 400 Dexter Avenue North, Seattle, 98109

Agenda: Networking, Fireside Chat, Q&A Session (because we all have those burning questions).
Who Should Attend: Aspiring angels, current investors, founders seeking funding, and anyone curious about the behind-the-scenes world of angel investing.
Food & Beverage: Fuel your entrepreneurial spirit with delicious snacks, beverages and a cash bar. After all, learning about investing is better with a drink in hand and something tasty on your plate.

So, grab a seat, loosen up, and get ready for an evening of insights, laughs, and maybe a networking moment that could change your career. Whether you’re an aspiring investor or a founder ready to take the plunge, you’ll walk away with the knowledge, confidence, and maybe even the connections to make your next big move.

Agenda

5:30 PM: Networking, Food and Drink

Meet great people

6:30 PM: Fireside Chat

Learn useful information

7:30 PM: Finish Up

Exchange notes and share Linkedin Profiles

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Speaker

John Sechrest - Seattle Angel Conference (Founder)

John Sechrest is the Founder of the Seattle Angel Conference and Co-Organizer of Lean Startup Seattle. He is also a Global Facilitator for Startup Weekend, dedicated to nurturing entrepreneurial talent and fostering innovation.
As an entrepreneurial collaborator, John is passionate about developing new projects and companies by equipping people with the tools, skills, and processes n…

Moderator

Robert Green - Startup Grind (Chapter Director)

Robert lives for startups. He serves as Head of Activate Product and Engineering at AWS (AWS Startup Program) and oversees the development of cloud products and programs that help other startups build on AWS. Prior to AWS, Robert was Director of Product Management at Tableau, helping to build what is known as the industry's best data analytics solution. Robert is the founder of 3 startups and …

Hosted By

Robert Green, Chapter Director

Shawn McGaff, Co Director

I've worked with over 750 businesses on projects from branding to advertising to SEO. I now primarily focus on creating & operationalizing cohesive strategies for early and growth-stage ventures as well as guiding established businesses looking to reinvent themselves.
I am a builder at heart with a strategic marketing skillset. I have a technical developer background from writing recommendation algorithms for Twitter and building countless websites but I also have a creative side as a photographer and filmmaker. This sets me up perfectly to work with startups who need cross-functional teams. I am as comfortable with a product team as I am with a sales team.

Eduardo Altamirano, Assistant to the Director

Julie Zhu, Mentor

Mike Grabham, Advisor

Mike is an optimistic problem solver. My word is Learn. I do it constantly.
By nature, I am a curious leader who has experienced success, failure and everything in between. (6X founder). I spend the largest majority of my time helping founders make better decisions from countries around the globe, and get their companies to the next level. That is how I make a living.
I was one of the first Startup Grind directors outside of Silicon Valley and was voted Director of the Year in 2016. I have interviewed over 200 leaders in the Seattle area at Startup Grind. I love helping others optimize companies/teams and enjoy the collaboration process to figure out how to create more value for a customer. I have raised millions of dollars from angel investors, sold two companies, closed a company, and failed once. Shoot me an email if you would like to touch base. I even created a guide to help founders make better decisions.

Visit me at www.michaelgrabham.com or follow me on twitter @grabmike

Rob Ricciardellli, Co-Director

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The Collective (https://www.invitedclubs.com/clubs/the-collective-seattle)
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