What's Actually Working: AI Agents, Investor Research & Raising Before Year End
Founders spend months perfecting their pitch deck and building their data room. But as the market has tightened in 2026, the gap between a "good" startup and a "funded" one has widened. Investors are no longer underwriting vanity metrics, they are underwriting runway, retention, and clear paths to the next milestone.
AI agents for investor research and outreach have become the new default, and the results are wildly inconsistent. Used well, they save weeks of research and can genuinely sharpen a founder's targeting. Used badly, via templated mass outreach, the line between an edge and a red flag isn't always obvious, and getting it wrong can cost a founder their first meeting before it happens.
This event is not another generic "how to fundraise" talk. It is a practical deep dive into the areas of the 2026 fundraising market that are usually discussed behind closed doors. We are skipping the theory and focusing on:
Where AI-powered outreach genuinely gives founders an edge, and where it backfires
The signals investors use to filter out generic, templated outreach
How to build real momentum for a year-end close, without signalling desperation
The reality of the 14-week fundraise timeline and how to protect your leverage when the clock is ticking
The event is designed for founders preparing to raise, currently in the trenches, or gearing up for a Q4/Q1 push. Raising capital is an achievement. Raising it on the right terms, understanding which tools actually help and which quietly work against you, is what protects your company's future.
Who should attend?
Founders currently preparing to raise (pre-seed to Series A) or those who are already in the fundraising process and hitting roadblocks.
Moderator Cait Pilkington - Maven Capital Partners
Panel
Soma Pirityi - Founder ETA Technologies
Rafael S Lajeunesse -CEO and Founder ReachX
Dr Amber Ghadar - Founding Partner at The 200Bn Club & Breakthrough Founders
Volha Paulovich Co-Founder and CEO of Orio Games
Schedule
Doors open and informal networking with drinks
Welcome and messages from sponsors
Market reality check: round sizes, timelines, and what investors are underwriting in 2026
AI agents for investor research and outreach: what's working, what isn't, and why
Audience Q&A
Networking, drinks & pizza
HUGE THANKS TO OUR PARTNERS
TIDE
Get a £50 reward when opening a Tide business current account T&Cs apply
DealOS.Info
The intelligent platform for fundraising and M&A
BMS Insurance
Protection for company leaders and their businesses against a wide range of third-party liability as they bring on investors and clients throughout the business life cycle.
ETA Technologies
AI-powered assessments surface hidden co-founder risks and team dynamics before investors find them, so you walk into every meeting with confidence.
Data and privacy: we share attendee names and emails with our sponsors so they can send you relevant follow-ups. You can opt out at any time.
Smile for the camera: we'll be capturing photos and video to share the highlights. Prefer to stay out of shot? Tell us at the check-in desk or email us beforehand and we'll keep you out of frame.