30th Expert Session

This session provides a practical, real-world overview of how founders can fund and scale a startup—from first idea to institutional capital. Designed for students, early-stage founders, and incubator participants, the talk demystifies the fundraising landscape across angels, high-net-worth individuals, venture capital, private equity, grants, and other funding sources. Attendees will learn how investors think, what makes a company “fundable,” how fundraising evolves across stages, and how to avoid the most common mistakes founders make when seeking capital. The session will also cover dilution, valuation, deal structures, and strategies for approaching investors with confidence. The goal is to equip aspiring entrepreneurs with a clear mental model of the fundraising journey so they can choose the right funding path, communicate their vision effectively, and accelerate their chances of securing investment.