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.
The question is: funded how?
Join us for a founder-focused session covering two sides of today's fundraising landscape. Whether you're gearing up for a VC round, exploring alternatives, or trying to figure out why this one is taking longer than expected, this session will give you a clearer picture of what's actually working — and practical tools to move 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
What alternative capital paths exist — and how to know if one fits your stage and goals
How to build a capital stack that doesn't require giving up control
About the Speakers
Steven Plappert, CEO & Co-Founder, Forecastr
Steven co-founded Forecastr (Techstars Anywhere 2020) and has raised 4 consecutive oversubscribed 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.
Steve Iskander, Founder & CEO, Intrepid Finance
Steve founded Intrepid Finance to modernize how founders access capital — bringing speed, clarity, and alternatives to a process that often favors founders with the right network over the right fundamentals. With a background in private equity, M&A, and a successful exit of his own, Steve understands both sides of the table.
About the Host
Thomas Millay, Powderkeg CEO Chair and SaaS Senior Executive
Thomas is a seasoned B2B SaaS executive with over 25 years of experience including senior roles at venture capital, private equity and public software companies including DemandJump, Elevate Ventures, Passageways, Healthx, WebLink, Consona, Sterling Software and Texas Instruments Software.
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 weighing VC against alternative paths and wanting a clearer picture of both
Format: Two focused presentations with live audience interaction + open Q&A
📌 Seats are free, but limited. Reserve your spot and come ready to work.