Cracking the US Market + Open Mic Pitching & Networking
The lawyers behind Apple, Google, Tesla and Netflix are coming to London to answer your US questions.
Wilson Sonsini has taken more tech companies public than any other law firm on the planet. Their London team has guided 2,000+ UK and EU companies through US launches, fundraises, and exits - including Monzo, ElevenLabs, PolyAI, and Attio.
Now Daniel Glazer, who heads their US Expansion practice, is sitting down with Rare Founders to answer the questions every UK founder is actually asking.
When do I go after US VCs - and what do they actually expect?
Do I need a US company? Do I need to move?
Where do I set up, how long does it take, and what does it cost?
How is hiring different? How do I sell over there?
And yes - does everyone really sue each other all the time?
No fluff. Just the real answers, from the people who've done it with hundreds of companies before yours.
But that's not all.
Joining Daniel is Ihar Valodzin, founder of ListAlpha - the AI-powered CRM he built from scratch and sold to Carta earlier this year, now powering relationship intelligence for nearly 9,000 funds managing $203B+ in assets.
Ihar has been through it - building, fundraising, and exiting as a European founder operating in a US-dominated market. He'll bring the founder perspective Daniel can't: what it actually feels like on the ground, what surprised him, and what he'd do differently.
Then, we open the mic.
One minute. One mic. A room full of people who could change everything.
This stage is for founders who are fundraising or planning to fundraise, to test their pitch, sharpen their story, and get in front of the kind of room that actually matters.
Open to early-stage founders and anyone in the ecosystem, whether you’re building, investing, or just want to be in the room where it happens, you’re welcome.
The Format
The night is split between the fireside chat and our legendary open mic sessions. Every 20–30 minutes, we randomly select 5–6 fundraising founders. You get 60 seconds to sell your vision.
⏱️ Go over time? 💦 You meet the water guns. We keep it fast and effective. Whether you pitch or listen, this is the room where deals start.
Agenda
6.00 pm - 7.00 pm: Arrival & Networking
7.00 pm - 7.40 pm: Welcome + fire chat with our guests
7.40 pm - 8.10 pm: Networking
8.10 pm - 8.30 pm: Open Mic Pitching (Round 1)
8.30 pm - 9.00 pm: Networking
9.00 pm - 9.20 pm: Open Mic Pitching (Round 2)
9.20 pm - 10.00 pm: Final Networking
Come for the insights. Stay for the connections. Don't miss out. 🚀
👉 Spots are limited—sign up now.
By joining the event, you’re allowing us to capture and share some of the great moments! Photos and videos taken may be used later to showcase our community and for marketing, helping us make future events even better.
Rare Founders is a founder-led community bringing together early-stage founders, operators, and investors through thoughtfully curated events across London. From open mics and intimate roundtables to large-scale Demo Days, our focus is on meaningful connections, practical insight, and creating spaces that feel welcoming, inclusive, and genuinely useful.
If you’d like to stay in the loop, you can also sign up to our weekly newsletter for handpicked startup events, opportunities, and updates for founders and investors across the ecosystem.
See more details here.
💥 Get better connected with Sophy
Meet Sophy - your networking companion designed to make every connection count. Built for founders, investors, and operators, Sophy helps you see who’s in the room, add notes to your contacts, set follow-ups, and instantly search your entire network - so no valuable connection ever slips through the cracks. Download Sophy now and start building a smarter, stronger network today: GetsophySoPhy — Never Lose a Contact Again
What to sponsor the event and get exposure with hundreds of businesses? Please email [email protected]
A Huge Thanks To Our Sponsors & Partners!
Carta
Carta is the equity management platform trusted by 50,000+ companies and 1M+ employees globally from incorporation to exit. They help manage ownership, share plans, fundraising, valuations and compliance at every stage. As of 2026, they're offering Carta Launch free for early-stage founders: set up your cap table in minutes, issue equity, and build the ownership infrastructure you'll scale with. Check out the link for more details.
Daniel Glazer
Daniel Glazer leads the US Expansion group and London office at Wilson Sonsini. He advises UK and EU tech companies on US market entry, scaling, venture financing, and IPO or M&A exits. He serves on the GBx Advisory Board, is a Fellow of the British-American Project and the Royal Society of Arts, and is a GlobalScot trade advisor. Dan also helped create the US Department of Commerce’s SelectUSA Tech program and has been recognized as The American Lawyer’s first “Transatlantic Innovator of the Year” and one of London’s top 10 “International Connectors” by UK Tech News.
Ihar Valodzin
Ihar Valodzin founded ListAlpha, an AI-powered CRM and relationship intelligence platform built for venture capital and private equity firms. Before founding ListAlpha in 2021, he was a director at Mayfair Equity Partners. In March 2026, Carta acquired ListAlpha - launching Carta CRM and bringing Ihar's technology to nearly 9,000 funds managing over $203B in assets. He now leads the CRM business within Carta.
Safety Partner
Safespace Plus is helping us to foster a safe and inclusive environment at our events. Check out our Code of Conduct so you are aware of what kind of behaviour is not allowed at our events.
Childcare Support with CocoRio
We’re proud to be partnering with CocoRio, a flexible, trusted childcare provider created to support working parents.
For this event, attendees can access discounted in-home childcare at £25.50 per hour (all-inclusive of VAT, insurance, and agency fees) — reduced from the usual £40 rate for ad hoc bookings.
While children can’t attend the venue, this offer is designed to help make the day more accessible for parents and carers.
Venue Partner
Hosted at The Ministry — Borough’s iconic creative members’ club and workspace, built by the team behind Ministry of Sound. Set inside a beautifully restored Victorian printworks, it features stylish lounges, studios, a gym, a buzzing bar, and everything designed for founders and creators to collide. With flexible day passes, wellness spaces, great coffee and a culture-driven vibe, it’s the perfect home for bold ideas and unforgettable events.
Food will be available for purchase at the venue! Click here for the menu.