Finding Strategic Investors

About The Talk

Fundraising is one of the hardest challenges a founder will face when building a startup. For many, it’s a necessary step in reaching the next level of company growth.

While many founders may be looking to meet as many VCs and investors as they can, it’s important that they consider the role that those investors will play in their startup journey.

Recently, we’ve seen many startups raise not just from traditional VC, but from angels and funds that offer more than just cash, but also experience. These “strategic investors” add so much value to their portfolio companies because of aligned goals and expertise. Most of the time these investors are previous founders or operators that could help solve issues you will come across as you grow.

But finding these investors/operators and building those relationships is hard if you don’t have the network or know where to look.

On June 21st we’re going to discuss how you can find strategic investors and why they should be a focus for you as you start your fundraising journey.

Join us at 10 am as we sit down with Sree Kolli, Co-founder of Conduit, and Aubrie Pagano is a Partner, Operator and Investor at Corigin Ventures and dive into:

Why it’s smart to find operators turned angels/VCs as investors in your org
What could make pitching to these types of investors different than other funds
Why operators turn VC

We’ll also do audience Q&A after the conversation!

Our Guest

Sree Kolli

Co-founder of Conduit

Sree Kolli is Co-founder of Conduit, a curated network connecting strategic investors to early stage opportunities around the globe. Prior to launching Conduit, she worked at an early stage venture fund in NYC and started her career as a tech investment banker at JPM. She helped launch the All Raise community in NYC and currently sits on the board for the University of Michigan Alumni Club of NY and Raisedby.Us.

Aubrie Pagano

Partner, Operator and Investor at Corigin Ventures

Aubrie Pagano is a Partner, Operator and Investor at Corigin Ventures, holding investment interests in Consumer, Marketplaces, Global E-Commerce Infrastructure, Virtual Cultures, and The Homebody Economy. Prior to this, Aubrie built and sold Bow & Drape, the first platform for custom fashion. Towards the end of her Bow & Drape journey, she began leading investments at XFactor Ventures, an early-stage fund of female founders backing companies with at least one female founder. She is also a Harvard Alumni (’08).

What's the Daily Stack?

Everyday at 10AM, we speak with founders, operators and experts about their experiences and advice for other founders. The talks are focused on topics that will help early-stage entrepreneurs need to survive and thrive. Membership includes access to our live daily talks as well as any talk you missed.