Date: Wednesday, January 28, 2026 Time: 12:00–1:30 PM ET Format: Live Virtual (Zoom)
Session Overview
Access to capital is one of the most critical and complex challenges facing early-stage foodtech companies. This session focuses on helping founders understand how, when, and whether to raise capital, and how early financing decisions shape commercialization outcomes.
Led by Galen Udell (Novate Technologies, EIR at YSpace), this session is designed as an interactive AMA-style discussion built on a pre-recorded funding overview. Rather than reviewing pitches, the live session will focus on funding strategy, investor expectations, and readiness across different business models and stages of growth.
Learning Outcomes
By the end of this session, participants will be able to:
- Understand early-stage funding options, including grants, angels, and venture capital
- Assess investor expectations for foodtech ventures at TRL 6–9
- Evaluate when raising capital makes sense and when it may not
- Distinguish funding strategies for high-growth versus lifestyle businesses
- Identify common fundraising pitfalls and how to avoid them
- Prepare for future investor conversations with greater clarity and confidence
Session Format
Pre-Recorded Backgrounder (Required Pre-Work)Galen Udell – Funding Landscape & Investor Overview
Participants will review a pre-recorded presentation covering:
- Early-stage funding pathways and capital sources
- Investor decision-making and evaluation criteria
- Key questions founders should ask before raising capital
- Core components of an investor narrative and pitch structure
- The importance of tailoring fundraising strategy to business goals
Live AMA & Applied Discussion (90 minutes)
The live session will focus on:
- Founder-led questions around funding strategy and timing
- Real-world examples of fundraising decisions and trade-offs
- Candid discussion of investor perspectives and expectations
- Practical guidance to support near- and medium-term financing decisions
Founders are encouraged to bring specific questions related to their company’s stage, capital needs, and commercialization plans.
