Leland+ for Startup Founders
Popular on Leland+
Scaling Startups: Lessons from the Trenches
In this panel, Arjun S., Daniel M. and Liza M. will share hard-won insights from scaling startups through the messy, high-growth stages. From finding product–market fit and building the right team to raising capital and navigating growing pains, you’ll hear real stories about what worked, what didn’t, and the lessons learned along the way. Whether you’re an early-stage founder, part of a startup team, or simply curious about the realities of scaling, this session will give you practical takeaways, candid advice, and inspiration to tackle the challenges ahead.
Startup Insights: Lessons From Successful Founders
Building a company from the ground up comes with both challenges and breakthroughs. In this panel, you’ll hear directly from successful founders who have navigated the early stages of entrepreneurship and scaled their startups into thriving businesses. Our panelists will share candid stories about their journeys, the biggest lessons they’ve learned, and what they wish they knew when starting out. From fundraising and product development to hiring and growth, you’ll gain actionable insights into what it really takes to build and lead a successful startup.
Early Stage Startup Fundraising Panel
Raising capital is one of the biggest challenges early-stage founders face—and one of the most misunderstood. In this panel, you'll hear about the experience of Louis S., Jimmy M., and Garrett W., all founders who have gained wisdom and insight through their own entrepreneurial endeavors. We’ll cover what makes a compelling pitch, how to build relationships with investors before you need funding, what terms to watch out for, and how to decide whether fundraising is the right path for your startup. Whether you're preparing for your first round or just curious about how the process works, this session will give you real-world insight and actionable advice to navigate the fundraising journey with more clarity and confidence.
No Ivy, No Problem: How My Startup Got into Y Combinator
Think you need an Ivy League degree to make it into Y Combinator? Think again. In this workshop, Chanhyung K.—a Georgia Tech graduate, McKinsey alum, and Y Combinator founder—shares how he built and pitched a successful startup without the traditional pedigree. Drawing from his experience landing offers at McKinsey, JPMorgan, and FAANG while coming from a non-target school, Chan will reveal how to craft your founder story, stand out in competitive application pools, and navigate the YC process with authenticity and confidence. Whether you’re an aspiring founder or already building your startup, this session will show you how to turn unconventional beginnings into startup success.
Ask Me Anything: Entrepreneurship and Startups
Join us for an open Q&A with Rohit A., an experienced founder, startup advisor, and investor. Rohit will share candid insights from his journey building and scaling ventures, navigating fundraising, and working with early-stage teams. Whether you’re just exploring entrepreneurship or already building your own company, this is your chance to get personalized advice on topics like ideation, product-market fit, fundraising, hiring, and more. Bring your questions — no topic is off-limits.
From Idea to MVP: The Early Stage Startup Journey
Turning a great idea into a viable product is no small feat. In this panel, hear from Audrey C. (Moringa School, LendHer Capital) and Brice D. (Zaymo) - founders and startup veterans who’ve successfully navigated the early-stage journey—from validating an idea and building a first version to gathering feedback and iterating fast. Our speakers will share hard-earned lessons, common pitfalls to avoid, and practical advice for moving from concept to launch. Whether you’re a first-time founder or just curious about the process, you’ll walk away with a clearer roadmap for bringing your vision to life.
