BEYOND THE RAISE
Most founders are handed the same script:
Build the product. Build the deck. Raise a VC round.
But VC is one funding tool. It is not the only one.
Join The Founders Union and Tech Ready Women, in collaboration with Spark Festival, for an education-first session on the different ways founders can fund growth - and how to think about the right capital at the right stage.
Three lenders. Three different types of capital.
We’ll unpack what each one is actually for, who it suits, when to pursue it, how to access it, and what you need to look like to qualify.
What to expect:
Who is it for?
Not every funding option suits every business. Understand which types of capital are designed for which founders.
When does it fit?
Capital needs change as your business grows. We’ll look at where different funding options fit across the journey.
How do you actually access it?
What does the process look like, who do you speak to, and what should you have ready?
What do you need to qualify?
Get a clearer view of what lenders are looking for and what makes a startup eligible.
Why this matters:
Most founders will use different types of capital at different stages of growth.
The order you take that capital can matter too — particularly when you think about dilution and the future value of your equity.
This is not about saying one source of capital is better than another.
It’s about understanding the toolkit, so you can make deliberate decisions about how you fund your next stage.
Come if you are:
Exploring your funding options.
Planning to raise soon.
Currently raising.
Looking for ways to fund growth beyond VC.
Thinking about how to extend your runway.
Or want to understand the capital landscape before you need it.
Know the options. Know when they fit. Build your capital stack deliberately.
The panel
Alex Simmons — Kashcade
Kylie Little — Lighter Capital
Melanie Portelli — Westpac
Moderated by the GM of Tech Ready Women.
The Founders Union × Tech Ready Women
In collaboration with Spark Festival