Join us on Friday, April 30th for a Lunch & Learn to hear more about Seed Equity Funding as a potential source of capital. We have a great panel of experts ready to share their insights on early-stage venture investments, and how entrepreneurs can be better prepared to approach funds for seed capital.

What you’ll learn:

The investment thesis of each fund
What Seed Funds expect from entrepreneurs
How they evaluate prospects

Panel Includes:

Juan Barraza, Scout at Vamos Ventures

Juan Barraza is a scout for Vamos Ventures, lead organizer Portland Startup Weekend Latino, and Founder of Latino Founders, a professional organization empowering the next generation of Latino entrepreneurs. Juan leads all Center for Entrepreneurship Student Innovation programming efforts and communications, weaving entrepreneurship into the fabric of the daily activities of students and faculty at PSU, specifically the signature PSU Cleantech Challenge and InventOR. 

Ben Nahir, Venture Principal, Elevate Capital

Ben is a neuroscientist-turned-investor who uses a data-driven approach to identify, research, and recommend investment opportunities. Ben joined the Oregon investment community in 2016 following a 12-year career in academic research. In two and a half years at Elevate Capital and five years as Program Manager for TiE Oregon Angels and TiE Global Angels, Ben has helped deploy more than $20 million in venture and angel capital to over 50 startups.

Himalaya Rao-Potlapally, Managing Director, Black Founders Matter Fund

Himalaya Rao is the Managing Director of Black Founders Matter and a Venture Capital Consultant who works with Angel Funds and Venture Firms along the West Coast. She has worked with seven different funds and is currently working with Portland Seed Fund as their diligence lead while actively raising for Black Founder Matter Fund I with Marceau Michel. She has a passion for expanding accessibility of entrepreneurship to BIPOC and rural communities as a pathway for economic development and generational wealth building.

This session will be moderated by Ernie Bootsma, Shareholder,  Buchalter | Ater Wynne