Wednesday, 16 September
IN-PERSON: You’re Not Ready: A Fundraising Reality Check
Wednesday, 16 September | 10:30AM – 15PM
Are You Actually Ready to Raise?
Thinking about raising investment? Before you start reaching out to investors, you need to know whether your business, and your fundraising story, are ready.
Designed for pre-seed and early-stage founders, this NDRC Masterclass cuts through the noise to give you a practical look at what it takes to run a successful fundraise. From the mistakes that can quickly kill investor interest to the signals VCs look for when assessing an opportunity, you’ll get a clearer understanding of where you stand and what needs work before you go out to raise.
The day combines an interactive fundraising workshop with breakfast and networking, followed by the opportunity to put what you’ve learned into practice through dedicated VC Hours, where founders can book 1:1 time with investors.
An Interactive & Immersive Schedule
This Masterclass will cover the following topics:
An Interactive & Practical Schedule
This Masterclass will combine practical fundraising guidance with opportunities to connect directly with investors.
1. Breakfast & Networking | 10:30AM
Kick off the morning over breakfast and connect with fellow founders, investors and the wider startup network at Republic of Work.
2. You’re Not Ready: A Fundraising Reality Check | 11:00AM–12:30PM
An interactive workshop exploring what it really takes to become fundraise-ready.
Topics will include:
What investors are looking for before they write a cheque
The most common fundraising mistakes and red flags
How to assess whether your company is genuinely ready to raise
What founders should have in place before approaching investors
Practical steps to strengthen your fundraising position
The session will include opportunities for founder questions and discussion.
3. VC Hours | 1:00PM–3:00PM
Put your learnings into practice with the opportunity to book dedicated 20-minute 1:1 sessions with VCs.
Use the time to discuss your business, fundraising plans and readiness, ask questions and get direct investor feedback.
Connected Hubs is a central driver of the Irish National Hub Network, a Government of Ireland initiative aimed at establishing and strategically expanding a network of interconnected hub facilities throughout the country. Connected Hubs is a Government of Ireland initiative under Our Rural Future. Connected Hubs is managed by the Western Development Commission in conjunction with the Department of Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht.
