Beyond the Hype: A Founder's Playbook for AI & Capital in 2025

​Join us for an outstanding event designed for startup founders facing two major shifts: the explosive growth of AI and a rapidly changing funding landscape. This is your chance to get a clear and direct roadmap for navigating 2025 and beyond.

​The evening will begin with a 30-minute talk by Bret Waters, who will share key trends every founder needs to know. He'll tackle how to prepare for 2026, offering actionable insights on succeeding amidst these macro changes.

​Following Bret's talk, we'll feature an exclusive fireside chat with top investors. This candid conversation will move "From Seed to Scale" and dive deep into what’s driving capital into AI. They’ll unpack what investors are really looking for in early versus growth-stage AI startups, the metrics that matter most, and how to position your company for a successful raise.

​The panel will explore:

• ​What investors look for in early vs. growth-stage AI startups.

• ​Balancing revenue, traction, team, and tech.

• ​Emerging trends and red flags in today’s pitch decks.

​Panelists:

• ​Jean-Philippe ‘JP’ Persico – shuckerVC (Co-Founder and Managing Partner, Mentor at swissnex, Advisor/Mentor at TechStars)

• ​Tanya E. Montméan – starLinkVentures (Ex-investment banker, 2x Founder, VC ecosystem expert & Startup advisor)

• ​Natalie Pan – Founder Funding Breakthrough Lab Pre-accelerator empowering diverse founders to raise capital and scale globally

• ​Speaker: Bret Waters – Ex-Founder/CEO of 3 tech startups, teaches Entrepreneurship at Stanford, coaches startup CEO's at Miller Center for Social Entrepreneurship, and author of The Launch Path book.