Launch Loudoun Lunch and Learn: Startup Fundraising – Insider Perspectives

Join a panel of funders for a facilitated fireside chat about securing money for your startup and answering questions including:

• At what stage of business development would a startup come to you?
• What should an entrepreneurial business have in place before approaching you?
• What’s more important: product or pitch?
• What’s one myth or misconception about your type of funding you want to clear up for entrepreneurs?
• What can they expect from you/your organization once you’ve expressed interest or committed to offering funding?
• How/where do you look for investment opportunities or do they come to you?
• What’s the best way to get introduced to you?
• For you, is funding a startup more about a business transaction or establishing a relationship…or is it both?

MARCO J RUBIN – SENIOR INVESTMENT DIRECTOR – VIPC
Marco is a founding member of Virginia Venture Partners, the equity investment arm of the Virginia Innovation Partnership Corporation.  There he leads investment in defense tech, aerospace and energy investments for Virginia’s fastest growing seed and early-stage startups.  Since inception in 2004, the entire portfolio consists of over 400 direct equity investments earning the organization with the distinction as “Virginia’s Most Active Investor” by CBInsights. 

DAN LOAGUE – PRESIDENT – DC ARCHANGELS
Dan Loague has an extensive background in venture capital and early stage investments. Over the past twenty-five years he has built, and now works with a national network of exceptionally active angels, professional investors, corporate, business development professionals, technology enterprise executives and government officials.  He is currently President, Washington DC ArchAngels, and formerly a DC representative of Ventana Capital, Irvine CA, and served as Executive Director, National Association of Seed and Venture Funds for eight years.

HALEY BRYANT – PARTNER, HUSTLE FUND
Haley is a Partner at Hustle Fund, investing at pre-seed with a focus on critical industries. Hustle Fund invests early, works alongside founders to support fundraising and customer acquisition through their global 2,500 member Angel Squad community and Redwood School program, and hiring through Ground Floor Growth, Hustle Fund’s talent collective. Before Hustle Fund she helped startups scale as the COO of Animalz and angel invested in 50+ startups including AngelList, Loft Orbital, Sacra and Rain.