Getting Funded: The Stories Nobody Tells You
Getting Funded: The Stories Nobody Tells You
Everyone talks about raising funding. But what does it actually take to get that first yes? Behind every funding announcement is a story we rarely hear: the investor who never replied, the pitch that did not land, the unexpected introduction, the difficult decisions, and the moment someone finally believed in the vision.
Join us for an honest and engaging panel discussion with founders who have been through the fundraising journey. Hear what worked, what did not, what surprised them, and what they wish they had known before they started. Whether you are preparing to raise your first round, exploring funding options, or simply trying to understand what investors look for, this is a chance to learn from real experiences rather than just the success headlines.
What You'll Take Away
• Find your way to investors: Learn how founders got their first investor conversations and built meaningful connections.
• Understand what makes investors say yes: Hear what helped founders stand out and build investor confidence.
• Learn from the setbacks: Discover the mistakes, rejections, and unexpected lessons that shaped their fundraising journeys.
• Navigate the Finnish startup ecosystem: Get practical insights into raising funding and finding opportunities in Finland.
• Know your next move: Leave with actionable advice you can apply to your own fundraising journey.
Who Should Join?
Early-stage founders, aspiring entrepreneurs, startup teams, and anyone exploring how to fund and grow a business. Whether you're preparing your first pitch or still figuring out where to begin, you will find something to take away.
What makes this conversation different?
No rehearsed success stories or one-size-fits-all fundraising formulas. Just founders sharing what happened behind the scenes, the decisions that mattered, and the lessons they learned along the way.
Cost: Free but registration is required as we have only limited spots.
Featured Speakers
Markku Mehtälä, Founder of Superhood, 28 years of tech entrepreneurship, 3 international startup exits, 4th startup Superhood on the way.
Kelvin Chikezie is a Nigerian-born serial entrepreneur, CEO and Co-founder of StayingBee, building globally impactful products from Finland and connecting communities through shared interests. Having raised over €500K for his ventures, he brings firsthand insights into startup building, fundraising, and the challenges founders rarely talk about.
Organized by IFF in collaboration with Business Helsinki.
International Founders Finland (IFF): A peer-led community giving international founders deep, honest peer connections and expert workshops without the noise.
IFF Team: Loan Cindy Tran (Founder), Sherry Oso (Co-founder), Dhivya Bharathi Radha Krishnan (Marketing), Bukola Solomon-Adeyemi (Community).