AI Investing: A Practical Framework for Assessing Early-Stage Opportunities
AI investing is moving faster than most investors can adapt. Technical complexity, polished demos, and early traction can disguise fundamental weaknesses. As AI opportunities accelerate, traditional signals are no longer enough.
This interactive workshop hosted by Arāya Ventures is designed for investors who want to strengthen their judgement in AI investing, and evaluate AI start-ups with confidence and clarity.
Led by Arāya Ventures Founder and & Managing Partner Rupa Popat, the session focuses on how to assess what truly matters in AI start-ups and where long-term value is actually created.
Schedule
11:45am – Arrival
12:00pm – Workshop
12:45pm – Q&A
1:00pm – End
Who this is for:
Angel investors and early-stage investors interested in AI opportunities
Investors looking for practical tools to assess AI startups beyond hype and demos
Investors who want to strengthen their judgement in AI decision-making
Why you should join:
In AI investing, the challenge is no longer access to information, but knowing what deserves your attention.
In this workshop, Rupa shares a practical, investor-first framework for evaluating AI startups. You’ll learn how to focus on the signals that matter, understand where defensibility really comes from, and ask better questions at the right moments.
This is not a technical session. It is about judgement: knowing where to start, what to listen for, and how to think clearly in a fast-moving landscape.
What you’ll get:
A clear framework for evaluating AI start-ups
Insights from real investments and portfolio case studies
Practical guidance on spotting defensible, high-potential AI applications, and identifying red flags.
Hands-on exercises to apply your judgement in realistic investment scenarios
About Rupa Popat
Rupa is an exited entrepreneur and Founder & Managing Partner of award-winning venture capital firm Arāya Ventures. Arāya invests in early-stage startups across Health, Fintech, Future of Work and Commerce with over 70% of investments in AI application companies. Their debut fund is the $26.3M Super Angel fund and is the first solo GP fund backed by the British Business Bank, with 21 investments to date. Their latest $30M Global fund, invests in the GCC, Europe and Asia.
Rupa is also the Founder of the Arāya Ventures Investment Academy. This is an investor education platform focused on developing the next generation of angel investors. Through the Arāya Ventures Investment Academy, the firm equips investors with practical tools, real-world insights, and disciplined decision-making frameworks. Operating across London, Dubai, Riyadh, and beyond, Arāya Ventures is known for its clarity, integrity, and no-hype approach to early-stage investing.
Arāya Ventures was awarded 2025 Best New Fund Manager at the EISA awards and recognised as Pre-Seed & Seed Investment Firm of the Year 2025 – UK at the Investment Excellence Awards 2025.
About Arāya Ventures
Arāya Ventures is an award-winning early-stage venture capital firm investing across AI, Health, FinTech, Future of Work, and Commerce, with over 70% of its portfolio focused on AI application companies. Its debut fund was the $26.3m Super Angel Fund, backed by the British Business Bank, with 21 investments to date. Arāya Ventures also manages a dedicated $30m Global Fund focused on investments across the GCC, Europe, and Asia, supporting high-potential founders at the earliest stages of growth.
In addition to investing, Arāya Ventures operates an investor education platform focused on developing the next generation of angel investors. Through the Arāya Ventures Investment Academy, the firm equips investors with practical tools, real-world insights, and disciplined decision-making frameworks. Operating across London, Dubai, Riyadh, and beyond, Arāya Ventures is known for its clarity, integrity, and no-hype approach to early-stage investing.
About Arāya Signal
As part of our commitment to support new and emerging angel investors on their venture investing journeys, we’re excited to announce the launch of Arāya Signal — our new free weekly newsletter designed to teach the craft of angel investing through clear, practical, and actionable insight. The next issue out is the first in our AI investing series.
Sign up here.