"Beyond Hype" Investor Keynote and Inside VC's Mind Panel on Fundraising Pitfalls and Best Practices
🚀 Event Overview
Fundraising is more than a pitch—it’s a process that tests clarity of vision, quality of execution, and alignment between founders and investors. Many promising startups struggle not because their ideas lack merit, but because avoidable fundraising mistakes quietly undermine momentum.
At this upcoming event, we’re bringing together investors, founders, and experienced professionals for an evening focused on practical fundraising insight, honest conversation, and meaningful connection.
🌟 What to Expect
The evening will begin with two VC partners sharing firsthand perspectives from the other side of the table—how they evaluate opportunities, what raises red flags early, and which founder behaviors consistently build (or erode) trust during a fundraise.
This will be followed by a panel discussion that dives deeper into the most common fundraising mistakes seen across stages—from early traction misalignment and unclear narratives, to valuation missteps and investor targeting—and, more importantly, how founders can avoid them.
Rather than abstract theory, the discussion will focus on real scenarios, real decisions, and real consequences, offering attendees actionable insight they can apply immediately.
🕒 Event Agenda
5:30 – 6:00 PM
Check-in, Dinner and Networking
6:00 – 6:15 PM
Welcome & Opening Remarks
6:15 – 6:30 PM Keynote Speakers
Jordan Wahbeh, Managing Partner @ SV Venture Group
Topic: FY26 investment trend, and ENTR class investments
Jordan invests in SVVG/seed/Pre-A (Late Seed) - syndicate Focused on improving the human condition. B2B, B2B2C, where technology, existing and new, will enable an improved state of living and life. Stages: Series A, Pre-A, and occasionally seed. • - Tech-centric, Deep Tech. -Sectors – widely include (where X=Tech). (ENT SW, wide range Fin, Ag, Health, Digital, AI, Logistics/Xportation, Dual Tech Use, IoT and Manufacturing, Space, and its components, Climate, Carbon, and Energy
Sue Xu, Managing Partner @ Amino Capital.
Topic: Beyond the Hype: Building Defensible "Data Moats" in the Age of Generative AI
Sue is an angel investor in nearly 20 unicorns; postdoc and entrepreneurship mentor at Stanford University; founding CEO of Stanford spin-offs CandyHouse and CyteSi; UNGA 2024 speaker advocating AI for combating human trafficking; guest lecture at HBS, Cornell, Georgetown and more; recipient of the Outstanding Asian American Woman Who Dared award (2025)
6:30 – 7:10 PM Panel Discussion: Common Fundraising Mistakes—and How Founders Can Avoid Them
Jordan Wahbeh, Managing Partner @ SV Venture Group
Sue Xu, Managing Partner @ Amino Capital
Vince Kohli, Strategic Advisor @ Google Deepmind, Startup Advisor & Judge @YC, Stanford, MIT
Roger Rappoport, Partner @ Snell & Wilmer
Lawrence Lou, General Partner @ Serendipity Ventures
7:10 – 8:30 PM
Social Networking
🎫WeShine Advisor/Judge Pass:
Investors, CEOs, Scientists, Journalists & large community partners are welcome to join WeShine Advisor Group to support early-stage founders. Benefits include:
✔️ Early access to top-tier pitch decks
✔️ Invited as the Guest Speakers or to private events
✔️ Complimentary pass to WeShine events, and receive community Impact Award from WeShine
👉 Interested? Please let us know. https://forms.gle/X5WdMbLphs1NgvHNA
🌟 Organizers
WeShine Entrepreneurship Organization
Bay Area–based nonprofit bringing together top entrepreneurs, investors, scientists, and business leaders. We facilitate investment opportunities, help businesses expand globally, and provide expert coaching. With 100+ pitch events & founder meetups hosted, our community truly lives by “We Shine Together.” WeShine Linkedin
🌟Cohosts
Snell & Wilmer (Law Firm)
Tanka.ai
langrenusfund (focus on Web3 and AI)