Startup CEO 101: What Founders Actually Need to Know
Startup CEO 101: What Founders Actually Need to Know
Hosted by SURF Incubator
Being a startup CEO isn’t about the title — it’s about turning ideas into real companies, real customers, and real money (while not accidentally blowing everything up along the way).
Startup CEO 101 is an interactive, no-fluff session designed for founders, operators, and aspiring CEOs who want to understand how companies actually work — from incorporation and fundraising to governance, contracts, and risk.
Led by experienced startup attorneys and founders Meghan Pratschler (Cartographer Law) and Austin Brittenham (2nd Chair AI), this session breaks down the legal, financial, and operational realities of running a startup — in plain English.
What we’ll cover
What a CEO really does (spoiler: it’s more than vision decks)
Choosing the right business model
Organizing your company the right way from day one
Raising capital (angels, VCs, equity vs. debt, and what investors actually care about)
Understanding boards, governance, and accountability
Contracts you should know — and why they matter
Getting customers and crossing the early-stage “chasm”
How to manage risk so one mistake doesn’t end your company
Why this is different
This isn’t a passive lecture. You’re encouraged to:
Ask questions during the session
Bring real projects, ideas, and hypotheticals
Learn by applying concepts to actual startup scenarios
It’s practical, founder-first, and built for people who want to do, not just listen.
Who should attend
Startup founders and co-founders
First-time CEOs
Operators and early employees
Anyone thinking about starting a company and wanting to avoid costly mistakes
⚠️ Note: This is an introductory session and not legal or tax advice — but it will give you the framework to ask smarter questions and make better decisions.
Come curious, leave sharper.
Let’s build smarter companies.