VC Trends & Pre-IPO: Under the Hood

​Many of today’s most valuable companies create most of their value before they ever list. Join us in person for an evening briefing on where venture capital is heading now, and on how pre-IPO value is accessed, priced and protected.

​During this event, you will:

• ​Understand VC market dynamics: where capital is flowing now, how valuations and exits are changing, and what it means for founders and investors.

• ​Look under the hood of pre-IPO: why value creation has moved before the IPO. We’ll cover primary vs. secondary shares, SPV structures, pricing and discounts, and the risks to manage.

• ​Network: meet founders, investors and Chicago Booth alumni over drinks.

​Programme

​18:30 Welcome & networking
19:00 VC trends
19:30 Pre-IPO: under the hood
20:00 Networking (until 21:00)

​Speakers

​Natalia Kolupaeva (Chicago Booth EMBA, EXP-23) has 20+ years in investments, starting as a research analyst and later working as a global asset manager. Today she leads VC and pre-IPO transactions from origination through closing. She is a Registered Representative at a FINRA broker-dealer.

​Mikhail Sklyarov, PhD (Chicago Booth EMBA, EXP-22) is GP at Spinnaker Ventures and focuses on pre-IPO and secondary-market investments and SPV structuring. He mentors founders at the Polsky Center, UChicago.

​Who should attend:

• ​Startup founders and co-founders

• ​VC & angel investors, family offices

• ​Professionals exploring pre-IPO and secondary investments

• ​Chicago Booth alumni and friends

​Registration requires approval. Seating is limited, and the venue address will be shared with approved guests.