What we’re about
Startup Founder 101 brings together aspiring and experienced tech entrepreneurs to discuss, meet, and collaborate to build great new startups, and to push the local startup ecosystem forward.\
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This group hosts numerous free events throughout the year where you can learn the best practices of starting a company from people who have been there and done that. You’ll have the opportunity to meet local founders and investors, exchange ideas with experts, get feedback on your idea, participate in startup workshops, and more.\
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Typical startup event topics include:\
• Coming up with a strong startup idea\
• Startup legal basics\
• How to pitch your startup\
• Starting a company without quitting your day job\
• How to raise funding for your startup\
• And much more!\
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Join the group to be invited to our next event!
Upcoming events (4+)
See all- How VCs Evaluate Startups in Minutes: Key Signals with Stephane Nasser (OpenVC)Link visible for attendees
Signals are subtle cues that investors use to make quick decisions about your startup, often without needing to meet you or hear your full vision. In just a few minutes with your pitch deck, your fate is decided: rejection or a meeting. This is why founders must understand VC signaling. By recognizing and optimizing these signals, you not only increase your chances of getting funded but also uncover and address potential issues within your business.
❯ What You'll Learn:
- The different types of investors and startup capital available.
- The key metrics investors need to see before investing.
- How Founders should navigate the current investment landscape.
❯ Featured Speaker:
- Stéphane Nasser - Co-Founder of OpenVC, where he shares valuable tools and insights for both VCs and founders. He works at the intersection of corporate innovation, tech entrepreneurship, and venture capital, focusing on fostering growth and innovation in the startup ecosystem.
❯❯ This is a live, interactive online event, so be sure to RSVP at https://fi.co/e/377224/meetup to receive the Zoom URL to join us live!
- Ideation Bootcamp: Pitch ShowcaseLink visible for attendees
Join us for the Ideation Bootcamp: Pitch Showcase, where the top 5-7 startups from our latest Startup Ideation Bootcamp will present their innovative ideas to a select group of investors. These founders have gone through an intensive 8-week program, receiving expert feedback, leveraging AI tools, and applying a proven methodology to shape their startup concepts.During this event, you'll get a chance to see the next generation of startups pitch their ideas, followed by a Q&A session where founders will answer questions from VCs. Don't miss out on this exclusive showcase of entrepreneurial innovation!
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❯ What You'll Learn:- Key insights from top startup pitches and ideas.
- How founders refine their concepts with expert feedback.
- What investors look for in successful startup presentations.
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❯ Featured Speakers:- Jonathan Greechan - Co-Founder & CEO of the Founder Institute - Jonathan Greechan is the Co-Founder & CEO of the Founder Institute, the world's largest pre-seed startup accelerator. Since 2009, he has grown and scaled the organization to chapters in over 200 cities and 90 countries, producing over 7000 portfolio companies with nearly $2B in venture funding.
- Sonam Velani - Co-Founder & Managing Partner at Streetlife Ventures - A mission-driven leader bridging capital, policy, and technology, she has led multi-billion-dollar investments in climate infrastructure, affordable housing, and inclusive economic growth across roles at Goldman Sachs, the World Bank, Zipline, and the NYC Mayor’s Office.
- Olivia O'Sullivan - Head of Platform at Forum Ventures - Olivia is the Head of Platform at Forum Ventures, where she leads efforts to build communities and resources that help early-stage founders scale. With a background in brand and product marketing, Olivia has played pivotal roles in launching major initiatives and working across GTM, operations, and community to drive growth.
- Tahira Dosani - Co-founder and Managing Partner at ResilenceVC - Tahira Dosani is the co-founder and Managing Partner of ResilienceVC, an early-stage fintech fund investing in startups that drive financial resilience.
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About the Ideation Bootcamp:
The Startup Ideation Bootcamp is an intensive 8-week program to help aspiring entrepreneurs build a great startup idea using expert feedback, helpful AI tools, and a proven process. The next bootcamp will be scheduled soon, register here to get updates.
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❯❯ This live, interactive online event promises valuable insights! Ensure your participation by RSVPing now at 👉 https://fi.co/startupwebinar/20057 to receive the link to join us live! - How to Raise Angel Funding for Your Startup w/ Super Angel Lars LindgrenLink visible for attendees
What truly convinces angel investors to write that first check? Join Sweden's leading superangel, Lars Lindgren, as he reveals what makes startups stand out in a crowded deal flow. From first impressions to red flags, this fireside chat will provide insider insights on how to secure funding from the angels who matter. Come with your questions, Lars and Naimul will be ready to answer them!
❯ What You'll Learn:
- What makes angel investors say yes — from pitch to personality.
- Common red flags that turn angels off (and how to avoid them).
- How to build relationships with angels before and after investment.
❯ Featured Speaker:
- Lars Lindgen - Angel Investor - He has been an angel investor since 1984 and founded the Swedish Private Equity & Venture Capital Association (SVCA) in 1985. In 2015, he founded DHS Venture Partners. He is also the author of "Mitt liv som affärsängel." As a venture capital generalist, he focuses on early-stage companies, bringing decades of experience to help startups thrive.
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❯❯ This is a live, interactive online event, so be sure to RSVP at https://fi.co/e/377225/meetup to receive the Zoom URL to join us live! - Responsible AI for Startups: Frameworks You Can Apply from Day OneLink visible for attendees
AI startups face high stakes when it comes to Responsible AI as decisions made early can't be undone. At this live online event, attendees will learn how to adopt robust responsible AI frameworks from day one to stay compliant and competitive. Fion Lee-Madan, Technical Co-Founder of Asenion, will share how early-stage founders can navigate AI governance, risk, and compliance. If you're building with AI and want to learn about responsibility from the ground up, don't miss this essential session.
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❯ What You’ll Learn- How to integrate Responsible AI into your startup from day one
- Why implementing compliance and ethics early sets your AI up for long-term success
- Practical frameworks to future-proof your AI product
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❯ Featured Speaker:- Fion Lee Madan - Technical Co-Founder, Head of Strategic Partnerships at Asenion (formerly Fairly AI + anch AI) - A founder, leader, lifelong learner, and catalyst of change, Fion Lee-Madan understands the shifting B2B enterprise software landscape and the transformative impact of AI. As a technical and business executive for Fortune 500 companies and at ATG through its Oracle acquisition, she led initiatives in product-market fit, demand generation, and customer success, thriving in competitive markets. Her experience living, working, and raising children internationally over the past 20 years fuels a deep commitment to promoting the fair and responsible use of technology, and to building a global network to operationalize Responsible AI to Fairly AI standards.
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❯❯ This live, interactive online event promises valuable insights! Ensure your participation by RSVPing now at 👉 https://fi.co/startupwebinar/19296 to receive the link to join us live!
