Online Event
Ask a Startup Investor: featuring Andrey Kostyuk, Gary Stewart, Katya Solov
Ask the Experts: Top Investors Reveal What It Takes to Get Funded!
Date
Feb 04, 2026
Time
11:30 am - 01:00 pm
Address
Online Event
Are you looking to raise funding for your startup or planning to raise in the future? Join our exclusive Ask Me Anything (AMA) event featuring top investors, Andrey Kostyuk from AAlchemy Ventures, Gary Stewart, Founder of MyCofoundr.AI and VC at Level Up Ventures (Hearst), and FI alumna Katya Solov, Founder of Miranna. In this session, you'll get insider insights on how funding works, how investors evaluate pitches, and what they're really looking for in founders. Whether you're preparing for your first round or still refining your business idea, this AMA is your chance.
What You'll Learn:
- Understand the investor (Angel, VC, or Crowdfunding) and the types of funding they provide.
- Learn which financials, growth indicators, and market data are crucial to impress potential investors.
- Discover the latest trends in funding and how to position your startup for success.
- Gain insights on the key traits and skills investors look for when selecting the right founders to back.
- Learn how to avoid common fundraising pitfalls with insights from seasoned investors.
Founder Perspective (FI Alumni Insight):
Hear directly from Katya Solov, Founder of Miranna and Founder Institute alumna, as she shares her firsthand experience raising, navigating the accelerator journey, and what actually changed after working with investors.
Featured Speakers:
- Gary Stewart - Founder, MyCofoundr.AI (AI McKinsey for Entrepreneurs) | Exited, VC-Backed Founder | Ex-MD of Techstars NYC | Yale Lecturer | VC at Level Up Ventures (Hearst)
- Andrey Kostyuk - GP, CEO @ AAlchemy Ventures, Startup Investor, Mentor, PhD, DBA
- Katya Solov - Founder of Miranna, FI alumna
Who Should Attend:
- Startup founders preparing to raise their first round or planning fundraising in the next 6–18 months
- Early-stage teams refining their pitch, metrics, and investor narrative
- Aspiring founders looking for actionable tips on navigating the fundraising journey and securing investment.
- Anyone building a startup who wants to avoid costly fundraising missteps early on
- Entrepreneurs seeking practical guidance on how investors evaluate traction, teams, and market readiness
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 8,900 entrepreneurs raise over $2BN in funding. Based in Silicon Valley and with chapters across over 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 8,900 entrepreneurs raise over 2BN 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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