Building Fast Without Breaking Things, Founder Pre-Raise Readiness: Finance, Legal, Product
Early-stage founders are constantly navigating the tension between moving fast and building responsibly.
This evening brings together experienced operators, legal experts, and financial partners for a candid, founder-first conversation about the decisions that matter before the raise — and the mistakes that quietly create friction later.
The focus is practical, real-world guidance on how to build momentum without breaking things you’ll need when it’s time to raise.
What We’ll Cover
Through a moderated panel and open discussion, we’ll explore:
The legal foundations founders often overlook — with expert legal guidance from Holland & Knight
Banking and financial decisions that impact fundraising readiness — with insight from JPMorgan Startup Banking
The product, traction, team, equity, and structural signals investors care about early — from Build Momentum Venture Studio
Expect clear tradeoffs, lived experience, and actionable takeaways founders can actually use.
Who This Is For
Early-stage founders (pre-seed to seed)
Founders who want to move fast without creating downstream risk
Venture-backable, across sectors
Format & Flow
5:30–6:30 PM
Welcome cocktails & networking
Beer & wine included
6:30–7:15 PM
Panel discussion + Q&A
Finance & Banking — JPMorgan Startup Banking
Legal Foundations — Holland & Knight
Product, Traction & Team — Build Momentum Venture Studio
7:15–8:00 PM
Closing cocktails & open conversation
Designed for conversation and connection
Venue
The Kinn — Clubhouse
An intimate, founder-forward space in Venice
Beer & wine included
Partners
JPMorgan Startup Banking — Finance, banking, and capital readiness
Holland & Knight — Legal foundations, risk, and institutional readiness
Build Momentum Venture Studio — Product, traction, team, and execution support
Queer Tech IRL — Event organizer and community host
Meet the speakers
Mark Lindquist — JPMorgan Startup Banking
Mark Lindquist is a seasoned banking and sales executive with 25+ years of experience across retail, business banking, and startup banking. He has a proven track record of leading teams, developing and executing sales strategies, and delivering solutions to complex business challenges. Mark is recognized for training and mentoring, consistently surpassing corporate goals, and building strong relationships across diverse internal partners. His expertise spans management, business development, and financial analysis.
Chris Rosene — Holland & Knight
Chris Rosene is a corporate attorney in Holland & Knight’s Century City office, advising startups and investors on formations, venture financings, and strategic transactions. He takes a practical, business-first approach and has advised on hundreds of VC deals, helping clients navigate governance and securities law. Before joining Holland & Knight, he practiced at leading law firms and worked at a high-growth e-commerce company. He is a UCLA School of Law graduate and former UCLA Law Review member.
Michael Meo — Build Momentum Venture Studio
Michael Meo is an exited founder and venture builder who helps early-stage teams go from 0→1 with clarity, speed, and strong foundations. He is the founder of Build Momentum, a venture studio supporting founders through fractional product leadership, innovation sprints, and hands-on venture execution with a senior operator network. Previously, he founded and exited a real estate technology startup that scaled to five countries, and built multiple ventures within Polymath Ventures, Latin America’s leading venture studio. Michael also founded Queer Tech IRL, a community for LGBTQ founders, builders, and investors. He holds a master’s degree from Harvard GSD.
Moderated by: La Keisha Landrum Pierre — Emmeline Ventures
La Keisha Landrum Pierre is a three-time founder, strategic operator, and venture investor focused on backing women-led companies at the intersection of women’s health, wealth, and well-being. She is the General Partner and Co-Founder of Emmeline Ventures, an early-stage firm investing in founders building category-defining products and platforms. La Keisha is also Executive Chairwoman of the Civic Media Lab, which she co-founded with partners including Omidyar Network, Luminate, MacArthur Foundation, and the National Endowment for Democracy. Previously, she served as CEO of Sahara Reporters Media Group, helping scale the organization into a globally recognized digital media platform and securing major strategic partnerships. Her career spans startup building and advising through the Harvard Innovation Lab, collaboration with Harvard Law School’s Berkman Klein Center, and civic innovation work in the City of Cambridge, MA.
Why Attend
You’ll leave with:
A clearer understanding of what actually matters early
Fewer blind spots across finance, legal, and product
Practical next steps toward fundraising readiness
Meaningful connections with founders and partners worth following up with