vcIQ: Hardware Founder Session
vcIQ Founder Sessions is a curated, small-group conversation series designed to give founders direct access to leading venture investors in specific sectors.
Each session brings together 2–3 active investors and a room of 15–20 founders for an interactive off-the-record discussion focused on how capital actually moves within the category. This is not a panel and there are no formal presentations. The format is conversational, candid, and founder-driven.
For July, we will be joined by:
Nick Snoad, Marlinspike
TBA
They will share perspectives from the front lines of hardware investing, including:
What is actually getting funded right now — and where investors have pulled back
How they underwrite the jump from working prototype to volume production
What "traction" means before revenue: LOIs, pilots, design wins, or shipped units
How they think about gross margin trajectory and the path to defensible unit economics
Where supply chain and manufacturing risk kill otherwise-fundable companies
How capital-intensive businesses get priced — and how to structure a raise around milestones rather than runway
The fundraising mistakes hardware founders make when they pitch like software founders
Founders will have the opportunity to ask direct questions, pressure test positioning and engage in open discussion with investors actively deploying capital in the space.
Space is highly limited to maintain discussion quality. We will not be able to accommodate everyone but look forward to bringing together a strong and relevant group of cybersecurity founders for the conversation.
This session is presented in partnership with Arlington Economic Development and the National IQ.
And a big thank you to your partners at J.P. Morgan, Camber Road, and Finstrat Management.