The pitch is only one moment in the fundraising journey. Long before founders step into the room, investors are evaluating market dynamics, reviewing materials, researching the team, and deciding whether the opportunity merits deeper consideration. After the meeting ends, founders need to manage follow-up conversations, partner discussions, due diligence, and relationship building. These factors often determine whether a pitch ultimately becomes an investment.

The Nasdaq Center is excited to be joined by Rachel Baruch, Partner at Growth Warrior Capital, for a strategic session designed to give high-growth founders an insider's view of the fundraising process beyond the pitch itself. By exploring what investors are thinking, evaluating, and doing before and after a pitch, participants will gain a clearer understanding of how investment decisions are actually made and how to position themselves for greater success throughout the fundraising journey.

Whether you're preparing for your first institutional raise or refining your approach for future conversations, this session will help you build stronger fundraising strategies by understanding the process from both sides of the table!

Key Takeaways:

• Learn how investors evaluate opportunities before a pitch and what founders should do to establish credibility before the first meeting.
• Gain insight into what happens after your presentation, including partner meetings, due diligence, follow-up conversations, and how investment decisions evolve over time.
• Discover how founders can maintain momentum after a pitch through thoughtful communication, relationship building, and strategic updates.
• Develop a deeper understanding of the questions, risks, and opportunities investors are assessing throughout the fundraising process—and how to proactively address them.