Inside the Startup Investor Mind: What Actually Gets Funded in 2026
Fundraising in 2026 is a different game.
Founders are flooded with advice, yet few have a direct line to the source. Inside the Startup Investor Mind cuts through the "founder-speak" to bring you directly into the conversation with the people writing the checks.
We’re here to break down how investors evaluate companies today and which signals are actually moving the needle in a shifting landscape.
What We’ll Explore
The conversation will focus on questions founders are navigating right now:
• What traction actually matters to investors today
• AI saturation vs defensibility
• Common mistakes founders make when preparing to raise
• Signals that make investors lean in (or walk away)
Expect practical insight, candid discussion, and thoughtful perspectives from experienced investors.
Event Format
5:00 – 6:00 PM
Arrival + networking
6:00 – 6:15 PM
Opening remarks
6:15 – 6:25 PM
Opening Keynote by Victoria Yampolsky, President & CEO of The Startup Station
Why Investors Say No: 5 Mistakes Founders Make (Fast)
6:25 – 7:00 PM
Inside the Startup Investor Mind Panel ft.
Ben Yurcisin, CEO & Founder JCTM, Intu Global (moderator)
Bhuva Shakti, CEO & Founder, Wallet Max
Justin Murray, Investor, Plug and Play Ventures
Eileen Kim, Program Manager, NY Ventures
Davion Louis, Founder, Emerging Partners Advisory
Rene Baston, Venture Partner, Covenant Venture Capital
7:00 – 8:00 PM
Networking and fun!
Who This Event Is For
We are intentionally curating the room to ensure meaningful conversations.
You may find this event especially valuable if you are:
• A founder preparing to raise or actively fundraising
• An investor looking to connect with builders in the region
• An operator working closely with scaling startups
Hosted By
Jersey City Tech Meetup (JCTM)
Learn Cool Tech. Earn More Money. Meet People Who Make Sh*t Happen.
Jersey City Tech Meetup isn’t just for techies — it’s for builders, creators, and visionaries who take action and shape what’s next.
Whether you're in AI, design, music, media, or just chasing a bold idea — this is where futures get made.
Connect with the Founder Ben Yurcisin
Bhuva Shakti
Former Wall Street investment banker and Columbia Business School alum who now advises startups and hosts founder/investor events focused on helping founders build and scale investor-ready companies.
Wallet Max is an inclusive global community of corporate executives and venture capitalists with a mission to expand fundraising access for high-growth startups in the technology, AI, fintech, and climate sustainability sectors.
With more than 10 investments directly in impact entrepreneurs thus far, Wallet Max’s network of 2,000 innovators and 60 partners regularly meet in person and virtually throughout the year to mutually exchange connections and drive collective action.
Learn more and join Fundraising Mastermind cohort for seed-stage founders: getwalletmax.com/mastermind
Thank You to Our Sponsors
Connectd is a people-first platform that connects startups and scaleups with experienced fractional executives and strategic advisors.
With a network of 6,500+ professionals who support companies on a pro bono basis for six months, startups gain access to high-quality expertise that would typically cost $40,000+ through traditional hiring or consulting arrangements.
Making over 5,000 connections per year across the UK and US, Connectd enables organisations to move faster and scale smarter through curated talent that delivers when it matters most.
Click here to redeem free advisory/fractional support from Connectd at $20,000 plus.
For founders and sales professionals seeking deal flow and revenue, introstars helps you track, monetize, and receive high-value business introductions. Join for free
About Our Partner Communities
Tranquilla AI
Tranquilla is the world’s first Compassionate Digital Assistant, blending high-touch with high-tech to deliver empathy, memory, and personalization at scale. Unlike traditional AI, the Compassionate Digital Assistant is designed for organizations that help people, ensuring no person is ever left unseen, unheard, or unsupported.
Join Our Global Network of 150k+ Startups, Enterprises, Futurists, Investors and Disrupters Seeking Continuous Learning, Power Networking, Services and Support
PAOS
As a founder, you face constant chaos—PAOS is here to change that. The Personal Advancement Operating System (PAOS) helps founders regain control, align priorities, and amplify their impact. With PAOS, you move from scattered days to focused progress. Less chaos, more PAOS—so you can build the future you set out for. Sign up for the waitlist
The Startup Station is a CFO advisory and financial education platform for early-stage startups. We help early-stage founders build investor-ready financials and tell their funding story with confidence. In the past decade, we’ve helped 150+ founders raise over $50M and educated 20,000+ entrepreneurs worldwide.