Leland+ for Startup Founders
Early Stage Startup Fundraising Panel
Raising capital is one of the biggest challenges early-stage founders face—and one of the most misunderstood. In this panel, you'll hear about the experience of Alaina H., Angela C., and Nick V., all of whom have gained wisdom and insight through their own entrepreneurial endeavors. We’ll cover what makes a compelling pitch, how to build relationships with investors before you need funding, what terms to watch out for, and how to decide whether fundraising is the right path for your startup. Whether you're preparing for your first round or just curious about how the process works, this session will give you real-world insight and actionable advice to navigate the fundraising journey with more clarity and confidence.
How to Break Into YC: Advice from Alumnus
Getting into Y Combinator is a dream for many founders—but the application, pitch, and selection process can feel opaque and daunting. In this session, join Nick V., co-founder & former COO of Relay (a YC-backed startup) and top-rated Leland coach, as he pulls back the curtain on what makes a YC application stand out. Nick will walk you through what YC looks for, how to frame your idea and progress, and what mistakes most founders make (and how to avoid them). You’ll leave this session with sharper clarity and concrete steps to strengthen your candidacy.
