Fundraising in 2026: How to Raise Smarter, Faster, and on Your Terms
Raising capital is harder than it was a few years ago, but great companies are still getting funded.
Join us for a founder-focused virtual session on navigating today's fundraising landscape, led by someone who's been deep in it. Steven Plappert has raised multiple rounds for Forecastr and built financial models for 200+ growth-stage startups. He knows what investors are actually responding to right now — and what's getting deals stalled.
Whether you're gearing up for your next round or trying to figure out why this one is taking longer than expected, this session will give you practical tools and a clearer path forward.
What You'll Learn
How to tell a growth story that cuts through the noise
What investors are backing right now — and how to position for it
How to structure your financial model to build trust and momentum
What to cut from your pitch deck and what to double down on
Hard-won lessons from the fundraising trenches
About the Speaker
Steven Plappert, CEO & Co-Founder, Forecastr
Steven co-founded Forecastr (Techstars Anywhere 2020) and has raised multiple rounds of venture capital as a founder. He's served as Head of Finance for more than 10 startups and built 200+ financial models for growth-stage companies. He built Forecastr to give founders the financial clarity that helps them walk into investor conversations with confidence.
Who Should Attend
Founders and CEOs with $1M+ ARR preparing for their next raise
Leaders who've been in fundraising conversations longer than expected
CFOs and operators building toward a clean, efficient round
Anyone who wants a clearer picture of what's actually working right now
Format: 40-minute presentation + 20-minute live Q&A
📌 Seats are free, but limited. Reserve your spot and come ready to work.