In a recent LinkedIn post, Max Pog offers a comprehensive overview of insights shared at the virtual VC Pitch Conference, an event he organized that took place on September 17th. The conference, which registered over 1,000 investors, including more than 470 approved for one-on-one startup pitches, aimed to provide deep dives into various facets of venture capital and startup funding.
Pog details the extensive planning involved, stating:
“It took us 3 months to build this free virtual VC Pitch Conf on Sep 17: 1,000+ registered investors, incl. 470+ approved for 1:1 startup pitches (list in PDF). Register free: https://vcconf.com?290”
The conference featured 14 distinct sessions covering a wide array of topics crucial for founders and investors navigating the current and future landscape of venture capital. Pog highlights the caliber of speakers, many of whom represent major investment firms and have extensive deal-making experience.
Understanding the VC Funnel in the AI Era
One of the core themes explored was the intricate process investors use to identify, filter, and evaluate startups, particularly in the context of the burgeoning AI sector. According to Pog’s summary, sessions addressed the internal workings of the VC funnel, emphasizing how AI is influencing these traditional methods.
Family Office and VC Investment Strategies
Pog also shed light on where significant capital is being deployed. The conference featured discussions from leaders managing substantial assets, including billions of dollars. As Max Pog notes, insights were shared on the current investment focus of both large family offices and venture capital firms.
“Where $B+ AUM family offices & VCs are putting venture dollars right now. Khailee Ng @ 500 Global ($2.3B AUM, 40+ unicorns), Shambhavi Mishra @ Antler (1,800+ deals), J Bradley Hilton @ Hilton Family Office, Candice Beaumont @ Salsano Group & CIO @ L Investments (Multi-billion SFO); moderator Nathan Latka @ Founderpath”
This session, moderated by Nathan Latka, provided a snapshot of the market’s most active and promising investment areas from the perspective of influential allocators.
Defining the ‘Fundable’ Startup in 2026
Another critical area addressed was the evolving definition of what constitutes a ‘fundable’ company at the pre-seed, seed, and Series A stages for the year 2026. Pog’s post indicates that this session featured prominent figures from accelerators and investment funds known for their early-stage investments.
AI Startups and Funding Opportunities
The rapid advancement of artificial intelligence presented a specific focus, with a dedicated session exploring what AI startups should be building to attract venture capital. Pog highlights the expertise brought by speakers from firms like Plug and Play and Alumni Ventures, who shared their perspectives on the most promising AI-driven opportunities.
Valuations, SAFEs, and Dilution
Founders seeking funding were also given practical guidance on financial instruments. Pog’s summary points to a session that demystified current market standards for valuations, SAFEs (Simple Agreement for Future Equity), and dilution, providing essential knowledge for navigating term sheets.
“Valuations, SAFEs & dilution: what’s market in 2026. Benjamin Lawrence @ CB Insights, Karen Page @ B Capital ($12B+ AUM, 200+ deals), Yaron Valler @ Target Global ($3B+ AUM); track moderator Nathan Beckord @ Foundersuite”
As Pog details, this session was crucial for founders aiming to understand the financial intricacies of their funding rounds.
Pitching Strategies and Ecosystem Trends
The conference also covered actionable advice for founders, including what materials to send before initial meetings and how to tailor pitches for different types of investors, such as VCs, family offices, and accelerators. Pog’s post also touched upon broader trends, like the emergence of new startup ecosystem hubs globally.
Furthermore, the post highlighted innovative approaches to fundraising, such as raising rounds directly on LinkedIn without mass connection requests, a strategy discussed by Cory Warfield. Other topics ranged from specific industry trends like VC healthcare in 2026 to understanding the nuances of family office investments versus traditional VC approaches.
“How founders should send before the first meeting.”
Max Pog’s detailed summary of the VC Pitch Conference provides a valuable resource, consolidating key insights and expert opinions on the critical factors influencing startup funding and venture capital in the coming years.
📝 About This Content
This article is based on insights shared by Max Pog on LinkedIn.
📅 Originally posted on September 11, 2026 | View original post on LinkedIn →