Investor
Ready to connect with your peers interested in angel investing and VC funding? Grab your free ticket for Startup Boston Week 2024 on Sept 8th - 12th today!
More sessions are still being added to the SBW2025 agenda!
All sessions are available BOTH in-person at Suffolk University and virtually.
AI GOLD RUSH OR BUBBLE? INVESTING IN AI IN 2026
Perfect for: early-stage investors, traditional VCs, family office investors, angel investors, LPs, corporate VCs, and founders
AI continues to reshape industries, but how do you separate true opportunity from hype? This session will explore the evolving AI investment landscape, providing insights into valuation models, technical differentiation, and emerging opportunities, including:
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Key metrics for evaluating AI companies at different stages
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What’s driving lofty valuations—and how to spot red flags
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Technical due diligence pitfalls and how to avoid them
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Identifying underexplored AI submarkets
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Assessing defensibility and competitive moats in AI
You will gain a deeper understanding of how to evaluate AI companies and position your investment strategy for long-term success.
GUT FEEL OR GAME PLAN? MASTERING EARLY-STAGE DUE DILIGENCE
Perfect for: new fund managers, angel investors, and startup founders looking to understand the investor mindset
Investing in early-stage startups requires more than a gut instinct - it demands a structured, repeatable approach to due diligence.
This panel will walk you through the complete process of assessing early-stage companies, from evaluating founders and technical capabilities to analyzing financial metrics and market potential, including:
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Building a comprehensive due diligence framework
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Evaluating founders, teams, and product-market fit
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Market sizing and financial analysis
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Assessing technical capabilities and competitive edge
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Streamlining the process with tools and checklists
You will walk away with a clear, actionable framework for conducting due diligence, including key questions to ask and strategies for balancing speed with thoroughness.
MORE THAN MONEY: TURNING PORTFOLIO SUPPORT INTO A COMPETITIVE EDGE
Perfect for: new fund managers, angel investors, VC investors, and startup founders looking to maximize the impact of their investor relationships
Venture capital isn’t just about writing checks - the real value comes from how you support your portfolio companies after the deal closes.
This panel will explore how modern VC firms are structuring their portfolio operations, measuring success, and driving meaningful outcomes for their startups. Our expert panelists will cover:
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What portfolio support models actually work
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Essential services vs. “nice to have” offerings for portfolio companies
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How to scale portfolio operations with fund size and portfolio growth
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The metrics that matter: tracking startup health without micromanaging
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Building your ops dream team: roles, structure, and when to hire
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Effective crisis intervention strategies that prevent portfolio meltdowns
You’ll leave with a blueprint for building high-impact portfolio support strategies that create value beyond capital.
BEYOND EQUITY: CRACKING THE CODE ON VENTURE DEBT AND SECONDARY MARKETS
Perfect for: VC investors looking to understand venture debt as a portfolio tool, fund managers exploring secondary sales strategies, LPs interested in secondary market opportunities, and founders and CFOs considering venture debt options
Venture debt and secondary markets are becoming essential tools for startups and investors navigating today’s capital landscape - but when and how should you use them?
This panel will break down the mechanics of venture debt and secondary sales, covering real-world examples and actionable strategies to help you make informed decisions. Our expert panelists will explore:
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When venture debt is appropriate and how to structure it
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Current pricing and terms in the venture debt market
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Common pitfalls in secondary transactions and how to avoid them
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Strategies for navigating complex cap table dynamics in secondary deals
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Key considerations in venture debt covenants
You’ll walk away with a clear understanding of how to leverage alternative capital solutions to optimize liquidity, extend runway, and manage risk.
VENTURE CAPITAL CRYSTAL BALL: WHAT 2026 HOLDS FOR STARTUPS AND INVESTORS
Perfect for: investors, startup founders navigating the current funding climate, LPs evaluating fund strategies, and government and policy leaders involved in startup ecosystem development
The venture capital landscape is shifting rapidly - are you prepared for what’s coming next? This session will provide an in-depth analysis of the VC market in 2025, unpacking the key trends, challenges, and emerging opportunities that will shape the industry in 2026.
Our panel of experienced investors and startup leaders will explore:
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Key investment trends shaping venture capital in 2025
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How macroeconomic factors (interest rates, inflation, geopolitics) are influencing VC funding and valuations
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Which sectors (AI, climate tech, biotech, deep tech, fintech, etc.) are attracting the most capital and why
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The biggest challenges for startups raising capital in 2025 — and how founders can adapt their fundraising strategies
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Regulatory and policy changes impacting venture investments
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The outlook for IPOs and M&A activity for VC-backed companies in 2025
You’ll walk away with a clear understanding of where the venture capital market is headed and how to position yourself - whether you’re raising capital, deploying it, or navigating the funding landscape.
BUILDING A VC FUND FROM THE GROUND UP: WHAT IT REALLY TAKES
Perfect for: aspiring fund managers, angel investors looking to go institutional, operators turned investors, and anyone exploring how to build and scale a venture fund
Launching a venture capital fund sounds exciting - but the path from idea to first close is anything but simple. From designing your investment thesis to raising from LPs, building infrastructure, and supporting portfolio companies, emerging fund managers face a steep learning curve and a highly competitive market.
This session will offer a transparent look at the realities of starting and scaling a venture capital fund in today’s environment. Whether you're considering launching a solo GP fund or joining a first-time team, you’ll get firsthand advice from investors who’ve done it before.
Our panel will explore:
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How to develop a compelling and differentiated investment thesis
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The fundraising process: what LPs are really looking for
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Fund mechanics: legal structures, compliance, and ops
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Building a strong dealflow pipeline as a new fund
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Supporting your portfolio with limited resources
You’ll leave this session with a grounded understanding of what it really takes to become a fund manager, and whether the path is right for you.
Meet Rumika Sharma! Rumika is our Investor Track Lead for Startup Boston Week 2025.
This is her first year on the Startup Boston Organizing Team. Look them up and connect with them on LinkedIn.