Join us for an inside look at what turns investor interest into conviction and learn how to approach your next angel conversation with clarity and confidence with Syama Bunten!
September 30th, 2026 | 11:00 AM PT
What makes an angel investor believe in a founder and ultimately decide to invest?
The Nasdaq Center is excited to be joined by Syama Bunten— Cofounder and Principal at Big Delta Capital, Investor, and Host of the Getting Rich Together podcast— for a candid conversation designed to take founders inside the decision-making process of an angel investor. Drawing from her experience investing in companies, interviewing investors and wealth builders, and creating the Wealth Catalyst Summit, Syama brings a unique perspective on how capital moves, what investors are really evaluating, and what creates conviction behind an investment.
Go beyond the pitch deck to explore the signals that move an investor from initial interest to genuine belief in a founder and their company. You’ll learn how angels assess everything from the founder, market opportunity, and business model to traction, growth potential, and risk—and how to position your company for investors who align with what you're building. Syama will also share strategies for developing meaningful investor relationships before making an ask and offer insight into what happens behind the scenes as an initial conversation progresses through follow-up, diligence, and ultimately, an investment decision.
Key Takeaways:
- Learn what investors evaluate beyond the pitch deck—from the founder and market opportunity to traction, business model, growth potential, and risk.
- Explore the signals that can turn initial interest into genuine belief in a founder and company.
- Understand how to identify angels whose interests, experience, values, and investment thesis align with your opportunity.
- Learn how authentic investor relationships develop and how to approach introductions, networking, and follow-up strategically.
- Gain insight into what happens after the first meeting, including questions, diligence, follow-up, and investor decision-making.
- Leave with a clearer understanding of what should be in place before approaching angel investors—and where your company may need to become more investment-ready.
Meet our special guest
Syama Bunten
Syama Bunten is a three-time founder, investor, and Co-Founder and Principal of Big Delta Capital, as well as the visionary behind Wealth Catalyst, an ecosystem designed to help women build, steward, and deploy capital with greater confidence and agency.
She is the award-winning host of Getting Rich Together, a top-ranked investing podcast exploring how women build wealth, navigate risk, and exercise greater agency over their capital. The podcast has received a Gold Stevie Award, TITAN Award, and Podcast of the Year recognition from the American Writing Awards.
Syama is also the creator of the Wealth Catalyst Summit, which convenes founders, investors, and women deploying capital to foster education, investment opportunities, deal flow, and meaningful relationships. She was named TITAN’s Women & Wealth Entrepreneur-Investor of the Year and has been featured by The New York Times, Forbes, Inc., and NPR.
The Nasdaq Entrepreneurial Center is a 501c(3) public charity whose mission it is to make entrepreneurship accessible to all. We deliver free resources, expert guidance, and top-tier mentorship to over 100,000 entrepreneurs worldwide. Your support helps us continue delivering these transformative programs—expanding access to entrepreneurship and driving economic progress for all. Join us and make a gift today to help more entrepreneurs thrive!
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