Online Event
Inside the Mind of VCs: Backing Immigrant Founders
Learn the current investment trends and what investors look for in immigrant found startups
Date
Apr 03, 2025
Time
06:00 pm - 07:00 pm
Address
Online Event
If you are currently raising funding for your startup, or are looking to raise funding in the future, then join this online ask a VC event featuring two of Chicago's top startup investors: GEEK VENTURES and TREEO VENTURES. Both VCs invest in immigrant founders. Learn their thesis, how startup funding works, how they evaluate pitches, the types of founders they are looking for, and more. Anyone interested in raising funding from Chicago angel investors or venture capitalists are welcome to attend. Come with your questions; our investors will be ready to answer them!
FEATURED INVESTORS:
- Sarah Romanko- Associate GEEK VENTURES: Sarah supports investments in immigrant founders by leading deal sourcing, startup evaluation, and due diligence. With a background spanning multiple early-stage VC firms and startup ecosystems, she has evaluated hundreds of startups and played a key role in fundraising, community building, and thought leadership. Sarah is a frequent judge and speaker at pitch competitions, including SXSW, DECA, and Startup Grind, and is passionate about making venture capital more inclusive and accessible.
- Didem Altop - General Partner at TREEO VC: a seasoned ecosystem builder, social innovator, and General Partner at Treeo VC. With over 25 years of experience in strategy, business development, and entrepreneurship, she has launched and scaled initiatives that drive positive social and economic impact. Best known for co-founding Endeavor Turkey, Didem now helps global startups access U.S. markets through Treeo VC. She also serves on several boards and advises startups and nonprofits, combining her expertise in venture building, philanthropy, and ecosystem development.
What You'll Learn:
- The different types of investors and startup capital available
- How Immigrant Founders fundraise and get fair valuations
- The key metrics investors need to see before investing
- How Founders should navigate the current investment landscape
Additional Resources:
Find more Startup Events, learn about Funding Benchmarks and Milestones, or visit our Insights Blog for more startup tips.
About Founder Institute:
The Founder Institute is the world’s most proven network to turn ideas into fundable startups, and startups into global businesses. Since 2009, our structured accelerator programs have helped over 7,000 entrepreneurs raise over $1.75BN in funding. Based in Silicon Valley and with chapters across 100 countries, our mission is to empower communities of talented and motivated people to build impactful technology companies worldwide.
The Founder Institute is the world’s most proven network to turn ideas into fundable startups, and startups into global businesses. Since 2009, our structured accelerator programs have helped over 7,000 entrepreneurs raise over $1.75BN in funding. Based in Silicon Valley and with chapters across 100 countries, our mission is to empower communities of talented and motivated people to build impactful technology companies worldwide.
Speakers
Platinum Partners
Local Partners
Google
Linkedin
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The Founder Institute is the world’s most proven network to turn ideas into fundable startups, and startups into global businesses. Since 2009, our structured accelerator programs have helped over 7,500 entrepreneurs raise over $1.85BN in funding. Based in Silicon Valley and with chapters across 100 countries, our mission is to empower communities of talented and motivated people to build impactful technology companies worldwide.
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