Raising venture capital in Silicon Valley usually starts the same way for most founders. You spend weeks building target investor lists, drafting cold emails, and hoping for a mutual connection to make an introduction. Founders & Funders is shifting that dynamic. Instead of founders chasing check writers, F&F places active VCs on stage to pitch their funds directly to curated founders in the room.
As a global epicenter for venture capital, San Francisco is home to many of tech's most iconic growth stories. Hosted during SF Deep Tech Week on June 23, F&F gathered more than 100 venture-backed founders actively raising capital to experience a transparent, founder-first environment.
What happens at a VC Reverse Pitch
The model swaps high-pressure pitching for straightforward clarity. Instead of founders pitching investors, six venture capitalists took the stage to address the questions founders care about most: what they are investing in today, their target stages and sectors, what catches their attention, and how to build a relationship with their firm.
The gathering was backed by sponsor partners SVB Silicon Valley Bank, Efficient Capital Labs, GNOMI, Michael Best, Forecastr, and SHOPLINE, all providing tools and guidance startups rely on as they scale.
“When investors pitch founders, the conversation changes. There is no more guessing what a VC really invests in, what stage they prefer, or what they actually bring beyond a check. It is all on the table.” — Founders & Funders team
For attending founders, hearing investors lay out their exact focus on stage eliminated weeks of online research and gave them a direct line to active check writers.
What each VC wants founders to know
Brian Zhao of Venrock, the premier venture firm built on the legacy of the Rockefeller family, emphasized that breakout companies stem from bold, thesis-driven technological bets. He looks for visionaries building ambitious companies designed to define entirely new categories.
Ryan JB Taylor of Fusion Fund focused on early-stage deep tech and artificial intelligence. He pointed out that his team prioritizes technical founders solving hard engineering problems and creating defensible IP across enterprise AI, healthcare, and industrial tech.
Bryan Liu of Alumni Ventures shared how their syndicate structure gives portfolio companies extra leverage. He noted that their firm brings capital alongside an expansive network of strategic co-investors to help founders move fast after closing their round.
Kavon Badie of Mighty Capital stressed that great venture partners bring value far beyond capital. His team focuses on helping portfolio companies execute go-to-market strategies, scale product adoption, and connect directly with enterprise buyers.
Kyle Qi of Llama Ventures highlighted their appetite for fast-moving early-stage startups. He looks for founders with exceptional execution speed, sharp market understanding, and the ability to adapt quickly in changing markets.
Adam Shaw of F&F Ventures shared that their edge comes from direct community access and founder-first partnerships. He looks for mission-driven founders who build with high velocity, leveraging the broader Founders & Funders network for warm intros to strategic corporate partners.
By the numbers: San Francisco snapshot
- 6 active VC partners pitching live on stage with dedicated thesis presentations
- Over 100 venture-backed founders actively raising capital in attendance
- Direct warm connections made between founders and active check writers
Beyond the pitches
Founders & Funders co-founders Jeff Erickson and Adam Shaw also highlighted the rapid growth of FNF Ventures, demonstrating how F&F continues to pair curated ecosystem events with direct venture investments into promising founding teams.
Why it works
Cold outreach rarely gets a response. A room built around real fit almost always does. That is the idea behind every F&F event, and San Francisco proved it works.
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