Growth brings opportunity—but it also brings complexity. As entrepreneurs move from idea to execution and from early traction to scale, the challenges evolve with them. EcoVG’s October Educational Series brings together a lineup of sessions designed to help founders navigate those challenges, with practical conversations spanning AI, fundraising, valuation, scaling, deal management, and the human side of entrepreneurship.
The Entrepreneur’s Guide to Dealum | October 6
Fundraising can become complicated quickly, especially when founders are managing investor conversations, deal information, follow-ups, and multiple moving pieces at once. Led by Simran Talreja, VP of Operations at EcoVG, this masterclass will introduce entrepreneurs to Dealum and explore how it can support a more organized fundraising process. The session will address challenges around managing deal flow, staying organized, improving investor communication, and creating a more efficient process for moving fundraising conversations forward.
EcoVG Masterclass with AI Professor | October 8
AI is rapidly becoming part of how companies operate, but knowing where and how to use it effectively can be a challenge. Charles Bender, CEO of Attentus Technologies, will lead this masterclass to help entrepreneurs think more practically about AI and its potential applications. The session will explore how businesses can identify useful AI tools, approach adoption strategically, and avoid getting distracted by the constant noise around emerging technologies and their capabilities.
The Accidental Bait and Switch – The Real ROI of Sweat Equity | October 12
Building a company often requires founders to invest far more than money. Time, energy, relationships, and personal sacrifices can all become part of the equation. On Mental Health Monday, Savannah Berry Suttle, Founder of Relationship Capital for Family Enterprise, will explore the realities behind sweat equity. The conversation will examine the expectations and trade-offs that can emerge when personal investment becomes deeply intertwined with entrepreneurship, while addressing the human challenges that can often remain hidden behind the startup journey.
Understanding Valuation & Capital Planning for Growth Companies | October 13
As a company grows, understanding its value and planning for future capital needs become increasingly important. Nathan McDonald, Managing Partner at EcoVG, will explore the relationship between valuation, growth, and capital planning. The session will help entrepreneurs better understand the considerations that influence valuation and how capital requirements can evolve as a company progresses.
How to Effectively Scale Your Startups | October 15
As customer demand and operations expand during a business’ growth stage, founders must also think about people, processes, systems, and organizational structure. Jaidin McCann, President of PeopleConnect Staffing, will explore what it takes to scale effectively without allowing growth to outpace the company’s foundation. The session will address challenges around building the right team, establishing scalable processes, and creating an organization capable of supporting sustainable growth.
EcoVG CEO Funding Tactics Panel | October 16
For many CEOs, raising capital is one of the most important—and challenging—parts of building a company. The EcoVG CEO Funding Tactics Panel will bring together practical perspectives on navigating the fundraising process. The discussion will focus on the challenges CEOs encounter when seeking capital, including determining the right funding approach, engaging with investors, communicating their opportunity effectively, and preparing for fundraising conversations.
October’s lineup ultimately reflects one key reality: every stage of growth brings a new set of challenges. These sessions give entrepreneurs the opportunity to learn from experienced leaders, explore practical solutions, and gain perspectives that can help them navigate what comes next.
