

Closing the Round: Real Founder Stories on Fundraising
Raising capital can feel opaque—especially the first time around. This founder-focused panel is designed to pull back the curtain on what fundraising actually looks like, straight from those who’ve recently been through it.
Hosted by Pioneer Square Labs (PSL) in partnership with JPMorgan Startup Banking, this conversation brings together Founders from the PSL portfolio who have recently closed meaningful funding rounds, alongside Vivek Ladsariya, Managing Director at PSL Ventures. Together, they’ll share candid stories, hard-earned lessons, and practical advice from both sides of the table.
Rather than polished pitch decks or generic frameworks, this panel will focus on:
What worked—and what didn’t—during their fundraising journeys
Navigating investor conversations, momentum, and setbacks
Common surprises founders encounter when raising capital
How VCs evaluate opportunities and support companies through a raise
This is a curated, founder-only event intended for current and first-time founders. It is not open to banks, vendors, or service providers. The goal is to create a space for honest dialogue, thoughtful questions, and real conversations among peers.
Expect an engaging discussion, ample time for Q&A, and insights that will be immediately useful—whether you’re actively fundraising or preparing for what’s ahead.
Event Details
📍 Location: Pioneer Square Labs (PSL)
📅 Date: Wednesday, Jan 21st
⏰ Time: Doors open at 5:30PM
Pioneer Square Labs (PSL)
A Seattle-based startup studio and early-stage venture fund that partners with founders from day zero to build and launch venture-scale companies.
About JP Morgan Startup Banking
We help startups of all sizes, growth stages and industries. Our experienced, firm-wide Innovation Economy team can deliver financial solutions and guidance to help you grow, network and scale toward an IPO. With tech that powers growth, J.P. Morgan gives early-stage startups, venture-backed and high growth companies the agility needed to make secure, real-time, efficient decisions.
Learn more JP Morgan’s Banking Solution for early-stage startups.
We look forward to seeing you there!