Founder Firesides: Inside the Raise

​Founder Firesides: Inside the Raise, from OpenAI × Dogpatch Labs, is a practical conversation for founders raising, or preparing to raise, capital while continuing to run their companies.

Fundraising can quickly become a second job. Investor conversations, rejection, terms and the pressure to maintain momentum all compete with the work of building the company.

Sean Mullaney, CEO of Seapoint, which has raised €10m to date, and Ryan Morrissey, CEO of Hoplite (YC S26), will share what fundraising looked like from inside their companies: what worked, what did not, which decisions mattered and what they would approach differently if raising their first round again.

Who it is for
The event is open to Dogpatch Labs members and the wider startup community. It will be particularly useful for:

• ​Founders and co-founders of active startups

• ​CEOs preparing for or currently running a fundraise

• ​Repeat founders

• ​Senior startup leaders involved in founder-level decisions

• ​Investors and operators with relevant experience to contribute

​What to expect
A direct conversation about raising capital while still running the company, followed by questions from founders facing similar decisions.

Agenda
17:00 | Doors open and registration
17:30 | Fireside conversation and audience Q&A
18:15 | Drinks and conversation
19:00 | Close