The Investable Founder: Understanding What Makes Startups Attractive to Investors
The Investable Founder
Understanding What Makes Startups Attractive to Investors
Raising capital isn’t just about pitching an idea.
Early-stage investors evaluate founders, clarity of vision, and the ability to build a scalable business — often long before a pitch deck is shared.
The Investable Founder is a practical session designed to help pre-seed and seed founders understand how investors think and how startups can position themselves for funding.
The event combines:
🔥 A candid fireside chat with early-stage investors
🛠 A practical workshop on building an investable startup
What You’ll Walk Away With
• A clear understanding of how investors evaluate pre-seed startups
• Practical insight into what makes a founder investable
• Frameworks for approaching early investor conversations
• Real investor perspectives from Altitude Angels & GSA Ventures
• Tactical guidance on preparing your startup for fundraising
Who This Event Is For
This event is designed for:
• Pre-seed & seed founders preparing to raise capital
• Early-stage startups exploring funding pathways
• Entrepreneurs building tech-enabled ventures
• Founders wanting to understand how investors evaluate startups
Spots are limited to keep the session focused and interactive.
Fireside Chat
The Fundraising Mindset: Why Investors Back Founders — Not Just Ideas
Many founders believe fundraising is about pitching a strong idea. In reality, investors evaluate whether a founder has the mindset, credibility, and business clarity needed to build a scalable company.
In this candid discussion, two experienced investors will share how they evaluate founders at the earliest stages and why building long-term investor relationships matters.
Featuring
Nick Kuryluk, Altitude Angels Investor and Altitude Accelerator Co-Chair
Entrepreneur and executive leader with experience supporting early-stage startups in building strategy, operational readiness, and investor relationships.
Moderator Dr. Holly Gardner, Altitude Accelerator Co-Chair and Founder of SoCitty
Founder of SoCitty and innovation leader working across emerging technologies including AI, cybersecurity, and autonomous systems.
Workshop
How to Become an Investable Startup
Led by Miryam Lazarte
Founder & CEO of Global Startups Accelerator and General Partner at GSA Ventures. She has supported 300+ international startups expanding into North America and is a recognized leader in the global startup ecosystem.
This practical workshop focuses on how founders can prepare their startup for meaningful investor conversations.
Rather than focusing only on pitching, the session explores the foundations investors expect founders to build before fundraising begins.
Founders will learn:
• What investors look for in pre-seed startups
• Signals of investor readiness beyond a pitch deck
• How to build a clear and credible investment narrative
• How founders should prepare for early investor conversations
• Common mistakes founders make before raising capital
Participants will leave with practical guidance on how to position their company for investment.
Event Flow
10:00 – 10:15 AM Arrival & Coffee
10:15 – 10:35 AM Fireside Chat — The Fundraising Mindset
10:35 – 10:45 AM Audience Q&A
10:45 – 11:00 AM Break
11:00 – 11:30 AM Workshop — How to Become an Investable Startup
11:30 – 12:00 PM Founder Networking
Hosted By
Brampton Venture Zone (BVZ) by TMU
A startup incubator supporting early-stage founders through mentorship, programming, and ecosystem connections within the Brampton Innovation District.
Co-Host: Altitude Angels - Community Partner: GSA Ventures - Venue Partner: B-Hive
BrampUp Series
BrampUP is a vibrant community event series designed to spark entrepreneurial spirit and skill-building across Brampton. It is designed for startups, side-hustlers, corporate professionals, students, and anyone looking to "ramp up" their ideas, careers, or ventures.
Organized by Brampton Venture Zone by TMU & Powered by the Brampton Innovation District.
Photography Disclaimer
When you attend this event, you enter an area where photography, audio, and video recording may occur. By entering the event premises, you consent to such recording media and its release, publication, exhibition or reproduction.