Demo Day: Fundraising, Investing & Building Community
Bringing founders and investors together to explore what makes startups worth investing in, how to raise growth capital, and how to build lasting investor relationships.
Join us at RYSE's Toronto headquarters for an evening of startup networking, live product demos, drinks, and a panel discussion on startup fundraising, angel investing, and the growing role of community-driven capital.
We're bringing together startup founders, angel investors, entrepreneurs, and leaders in the equity crowdfunding and private investing space to share experiences, exchange ideas, and connect with others building and backing the next generation of companies.
Fundraising, Investing & Building Community
Raising capital is about more than finding investors. It's about telling a compelling story, building trust, demonstrating traction, and creating a community that believes in your company's long-term vision.
For investors, it's about identifying promising opportunities, understanding what makes a startup investable, evaluating founders and business models, and finding ways to support companies beyond just writing a cheque.
We'll explore both sides of the fundraising journey, from how startups position themselves to attract investment to how investors evaluate opportunities and build relationships with founders.
We'll also discuss the growing role of equity crowdfunding and Community Rounds, including how companies can turn customers into investors, and investors into advocates, customers, and long-term supporters.
Our panel will feature three startup founders with firsthand fundraising experience in Canada and the U.S., alongside industry experts from DealMaker and FrontFundr.
Expect an open, educational conversation about what works, what doesn't, and the lessons learned from raising capital, investing in startups, and building lasting investor communities.
Topics We'll Explore
What Makes a Startup Investable? What investors look for in founders, business models, traction, and growth potential.
Fundraising Strategies That Work: How startups can attract investors, structure their raises, and navigate angel investing, Community Rounds, and equity crowdfunding.
The Art of the Startup Pitch: How to tell a compelling story, communicate your vision, and build investor confidence.
Investor Relations & Communication: How to keep investors engaged, communicate progress and setbacks, and build lasting relationships after the investment.
The Customer-to-Investor Flywheel: How companies can turn their customers and communities into investors, advocates, and long-term supporters.
Lessons from Both Sides of the Table: Real experiences, successes, mistakes, and insights from founders who've raised capital and the people who help fund them.
Evening Agenda
5:00 – 6:00 PM | Networking & RYSE Demos
Meet fellow founders, investors, and startup operators over drinks and refreshments. Explore live demos of RYSE's smart home technology.
6:00 – 7:00 PM | Founder Panel: The Customer-to-Investor Flywheel
A candid discussion featuring three startup founders with crowdfunding experience in Canada and the U.S., moderated by Tariqe Esmail, VP Partnerships, of DealMaker, with participation from FrontFundr.
7:00 – 8:30 PM | Drinks, Demos & Networking
Continue the conversations, connect with fellow attendees, and get a closer look at what we're building at RYSE.
Who should attend? Startup founders, ecommerce entrepreneurs, investors, equity crowdfunding professionals, and anyone interested in building and funding consumer brands.
Hosted by:
RYSE (helloryse.com)
DealMaker (dealmaker.tech)
FrontFunder (frontfundr.com)
Space is limited. RSVP to reserve your spot.