AI and Startup Fundraising (w/ The AI Collective - Dallas)
Fundraising Is Broken — And AI Won't Save It
Event Description
Everyone has the tools. Not everyone gets the check.
This AI Collective – Dallas meetup brings together founders, builders, and curious practitioners for an honest conversation about the one thing AI still can't do for you: build the relationships that close funding rounds.
We're sitting down with Clarence Bethea — investor, founder, and someone who's seen both sides of the table — for a candid fireside chat on what's actually broken in fundraising today, and where founders are getting it wrong by leaning too hard on the tools.
Featured Fireside Chat
Fundraising Is Broken — And AI Won't Save It with Clarence Bethea Managing Partner - What VCs Won’t Say | Founder of Upsie (Acquired by Akko) | Angel Investor & Former VC at True Ventures
AI can write your deck. It can draft your cold outreach. It can help you prep for partner meetings. But fundraising is still — and has always been — 100% a relationship business.
In this fireside chat, Clarence will pull back the curtain on where founders are missing the mark: over-relying on AI-generated materials while underinvesting in the human connections that actually move deals forward. He'll share real examples, hard-won lessons, and a clear-eyed take on where AI fits into the process — and where it doesn't.
Expect an open, conversational format with audience Q&A woven throughout.
Agenda
6:00 PM – Doors Open
6:15 PM – Networking
6:30 PM – Introductions
6:40–7:45 PM – Fireside Chat with Clarence Bethea
7:45–8:10 PM – Q&A
8:15 PM – Close – Open Networking
Room: MPR 4025 – 4th Floor There are stairs and elevators available to help you access the room.
Where to Park: The easiest option is the parking garage located behind the LC1 building. The garage is accessible from the rear of the building and is intended for visitors and employees.
As always, food and drink, engaging conversation, and incredible company will all be provided!
Please be advised: Unfortunately, space is very limited at these community events and we can not always accept everyone we would like to. If you are not accepted to this event, please keep applying! We appreciate your application tremendously and we are looking forward to seeing you at a future event very soon!
The AI Collective is a global non-profit building the human layer for the AI era. We unite 200,000+ leaders, builders, and stakeholders across 100+ forums worldwide to democratize the frontier, build trust, and coordinate how society navigates the rapid acceleration of technological progress.
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