Pitch Practice with fnInvestor Dan Ellis (March 31, 2026)

Scale, Lead & Lifetime Members Only:

Watch, Pitch, Learn: Join fnInvestor Dan Ellis, Investment Partner at Sher Ventures, for a virtual pitch practice where you’ll have an invaluable opportunity to fine-tune your pitch, learn from the investor’s perspective, and potentially open the door for further conversations.

Key Event Details:

1. Pitching Opportunity:
• RSVP & Selection: While RSVPing is necessary, spots are not guaranteed. Only three founders (Scale, Lead & Lifetime Members) will be selected based on criteria set by the investor. The selection will happen a week before the event.
• Pitch Format: Each selected founder will have three minutes to pitch their startup. This is your chance to deliver a concise, impactful pitch—essentially an "extended elevator pitch." Time is limited, so make sure you focus on the core elements of your startup’s story, value, and vision.
• Mandatory Dry Run Requirement: Before the event, you'll need to complete a dry run of your pitch with Aaron Ganek, a pitch deck expert and startup advisor. This is a critical step to ensure you're prepared and confident going into the pitch practice session.
• Feedback: After each pitch, you will receive seven minutes of feedback (5mins from the investor, 1min from Kevin Holmes, and 1min from one of your peers). Take notes and ask clarifying questions, as this could provide invaluable insights for refining your pitch moving forward.
2. Post-Event Follow-Up:
• If there’s mutual interest, you may have the opportunity to connect with the guest investor to dive deeper into your pitch and explore potential next steps with your startup.
3. Not Ready to Pitch?:
• Even if you’re not ready to pitch, you can still join the session as an observer. This is a great opportunity to watch, learn, and ask questions. You can gain insights from the feedback provided to others, and have the chance to engage directly with the investor.

How to Participate:

• The pitching opportunity is for Scale, Lead and Lifetime women members only, while Launch is able to be a spectator (watch).
• RSVP to secure your spot (although not guaranteed to pitch, you’ll still be able to watch and learn).
• Prepare for the dry run with Aaron Ganek beforehand to refine your pitch.
• If selected, pitch and get feedback from the featured fnInvestor.
• Kindly review the 3-Minute Pitch Guide for a comprehensive understanding of the process.
• If you’ve pitched in the last 30 days, you’re still welcome to register—but spots aren’t guaranteed, as we want to give others a chance too. You may be placed on the waitlist in case of no-shows or last-minute changes, so stay ready, be prepared, and bring your best!

Investment Criteria:

• Stage: Pre-Seed and Seed companies
• Founder Focus: AI, Marketplaces, Health IT, Digital Health, BioTech, Future of Education and Work, HR / Talent, Analytics, Wellness & Fitness
• Geography: Primarily US-based companies
• Investment Range: $100K