How to Raise a Round: What VCs Want to See in 2025
Venture capital firms are more selective and demanding when it comes to financing these days, especially with regard to first financings by early stage startups. Join us for an informative panel where we’ll be discussing questions and topics such as:
- The landscape of VC: Who are the players?- When should founders start approaching venture capital firms for investment?
- What kind of business and financial metrics should a founder have in place before approaching venture firms for a priced round raise?
- What hot verticals are early stage VCs investing in today?
- What do venture capitalists predict about the venture market for the remainder of 2025?
Panelists:
- Anish Srivastava (Swisscom Ventures)
- Zamir Shukho of (Vibranium.VC)
- Sophie Durey (Tamar VC)
- Lindsey Mignano (SSM)
- Adam Dunnett (BPM)
Moderator:
- Garrison Gowens (Cake Equity)
Hosted By:
- Cake Equity | Cake is the best cap table and equity management software to help startup founders accelerate team motivation through equity ownership. We combine essential equity tools with an intuitive, modern interface and transparent pricing to make equity management straightforward. Our core differentiator: we're built to help teams understand and feel connected to their ownership stake, turning equity into a powerful motivator for company success. Built with founders in mind, we help tens of thousands of teams and partner with top VCs, accountants, HR, and legal firms across the U.S. Best of all — it’s free to sign up and start.
- SSM Law | SSM is a women-owned boutique law firm with attorneys in San Francisco, Los Angeles, San Diego, and Seattle. We represent micro-venture capital funds, technology companies, and industry-adjacent service providers who are forming and scaling their companies, fundraising/deploying venture capital, selling to, merging with and/or acquiring other businesses.
- BPM | BPM is a full service tax, accounting and advisory firm with a focus on international businesses and supporting their growth in new markets including the US, UK, Canada and Australia.
- Silicon Valley Bank (SVB) is the financial partner of the innovation economy. For over 40 years, SVB has provided banking services, capital, and strategic advice to startups, growth-stage companies, venture capital firms, and the investors who support them. With a deep understanding of the innovation ecosystem, SVB helps high-growth companies scale confidently at every stage of their journey.
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