Join us for an engaging panel with two inspiring founders and two visionary investors, moderated by an expert startup coach and radio host. We'll dive into the startup journey's thrills and challenges—defining your mission, creating real impact, securing funding, and refining your pitch.

Gain valuable insights from investors on what they look for in entrepreneurs, the dos and don'ts of pitching, and how to navigate founder and investor dynamics.

The Founders

• Joao Batalha - Co-founder of Amplemarket, an AI Copilot for B2B sales that empowers teams to identify and engage with ideal prospects through advanced AI-driven prospecting. Previously, he studied Computer Science at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), where he conducted research in cryptography and machine learning. Beyond his current focus on revolutionizing sales technology, João is also the co-founder of Fermat’s Library, a platform for scientific paper annotation.
• Dr Capella Kerst - Founder and CEO of geCKo Materials, winner of Startup Grind Disruptive Startup of the Year, and recent Runner-Up at the TechCrunch Battlefield 200. Inspired by the way real-life geckos’ feet grip surfaces, the adhesive is like a new Velcro — except it only needs one side, leaves no residue, and can detach as quickly as it attaches. It can do this at least 120,000 times and, as Kerst noted in a recent interview with TechCrunch, can stay attached for seconds, minutes, or even years. Check out the amazing innovation at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LK6zG3RwlEc&t=3s

The Investors

• Ryan Chandra leads Data & AI investments at Accenture Ventures, Accenture's corporate venture capital arm, which is focused on making strategic investments into emerging technology companies that drive actionable impact for the Global 2000
• Jenny Kay Pollock - a Silicon Valley powerhouse, supporting female founders as an investor, advisor, and fractional CMO. With deep expertise in scaling and monetizing high-tech B2C software, she’s a champion for diversity, working to place women on boards and co-founding Women and AI, a podcast and community for women in AI. A sought-after speaker, Jenny has inspired organizations like Anita B.org and Miss CEO, empowering audiences to push boundaries for a more inclusive future.

The Moderator

• Brian Sparkes - a “community-first” entrepreneur and Strategic GTM Communication advisor, working with over 1,400 startups and executives annually to elevate their communication, engagement, and strategic messaging. Deeply rooted in the Silicon Valley startup ecosystem, he collaborates with organizations like Startup Grind and Plug and Play, while fostering connections with top investors to support “founder fit” in early-stage leaders. He also heads communication for Bay Angels, hosts Silicon Valley Impact on 92.9 FM, and leads the Silicon Valley Capital Network, an acceleration initiative for global startups seeking resources and deal flow.