Panel Description:If you're a Founder going out to raise money, please don't half-ass it. Don't rely on someone else to take care of the nuts and bolts of the fundraising process for you. If you do, you will fail.

Founders raising external capital need to come to market prepared with a strategy and the underlying materials and story to execute on it while also understanding that they are interacting with a variety of potential investors with their own motivations, views and baggage.

This session consists of Entrepreneurs and early-stage investors who have raised capital and collectively evaluated hundreds of investment opportunities. Our aim is to educate Founders on the steps they need to take to run an efficient capital raising process.

Panel Participants:Moderator:Brian Parks, CFA - Co-Founder and Managing Partner @ Bigfoot CapitalBrian leads the strategic vision and direction of Bigfoot Capital, a seed-stage capital provider for SaaS companies, where he is primarily responsible for capital raising and deployment and market development. Prior to forming Bigfoot Brian spent six years in early-stage technology companies in Denver in a host of operating leadership roles, including serving as Co-Founder and CEO of Brandfolder. Before joining the startup community, Brian was an M&A investment banker conducting middle-market transactions across industries.

Panelists:

Chris Marks - Founder & Managing Director @ Blue Note Ventures

Chris has been investing in early stage technology companies and working with entrepreneurs for over 15 years. He is the Founder and Managing Partner of Blue Note Ventures, an early stage venture capital fund investing in great technology companies and serving entrepreneurs committed to authentic leadership. Prior to launching BNV, Chris was a partner at Tango, a private investment company located in Boulder. He continues to serve as a Principal of High Country Venture, the general partner of two venture capital funds investing in early stage companies in Colorado. Prior to Tango, Chris was a corporate lawyer, representing private equity firms and early stage companies raising capital.

Matt Talbot - Co-Founder & CEO @ GoSpotCheck

Matt, a Denver native, is the Co-Founder and CEO of GoSpotCheck—an enterprise-focused mobile technology company. At GoSpotCheck, Matt's responsibilities include developing key strategies, securing financing, and leading the team. Before founding GoSpotCheck, he worked in corporate finance and business analytics at Johnson and Johnson. Matt graduated from Bucknell University where he majored in Business Management. Outside of his work, Matt enjoys playing guitar, golfing, and spending time with his friends and family, including his 2 young children.

Nate Mortensen - Principal @ Tallwave Capital

Nate is the Principal of Tallwave Capital a $13 million seed-stage venture capital fund investing in B2B software companies across the greater Mountain West and Southwest. His passion to boost Arizona’s entrepreneurial ecosystem led him to Tallwave Capital, where he brings a strong venture capital network and background in deal sourcing, due diligence and fund strategy. As Principal of the fund, Nate oversees sourcing, diligence, governance and the day-to-day operations of the Fund and its investments.