Startup Fundraising Workshop: Investor Insights

​UCSC x SOA | IBE Hub Friday Series

This workshop is part of the UC Santa Cruz Planetary Health Venture Program and focuses on how early-stage ventures can effectively approach fundraising in today’s market.

​The session will begin with 30-second pitches from Venture Program teams, followed by insights from the investor perspective on how early-stage companies are evaluated. Topics include framing initial fundraising conversations, understanding traction and milestone expectations, and how shifting market conditions influence funding decisions.

​Additional discussion will cover when to pursue venture capital versus grants, key funders in the ocean and climate space, and the criteria investors use to assess founders and startups.

​Following the presentation, Venture Program teams will deliver a refined 1-minute pitch and receive feedback.

​🎤 Speaker: Katherine Moldow
Investment Associate at Builders Vision & SOA Mentor, with experience supporting climate and ocean-focused startups.

​⚠️ Note: Participants in the UCSC Planetary Health Venture Program will be prioritized for pitching, Q&A, and feedback. Others are welcome to attend as observers.

​📅 April 3
⏰ 12:00–1:00 PM (PDT)
📍 Virtual (Zoom — registration required)