​Let's hang!

​​​As a founder, going through the fundraising process can be incredibly frustrating. ​​It takes an amazing amount of time and effort to convince an investor to agree to talk to you.

​​​​And then, once you pitch your company, sometimes the investor never gets back to you. ​​Or if they do get back to you, oftentimes their rejection doesn't explain WHY they're not interested.

​​​​All this can leave an entrepreneur feeling frustrated, dejected, and unsure of what can be done to improve in the future. ​​

​We think this stinks.

​​​​That's why, on February 18, we're hosting a live pitch event for founders. And it's FREE to attend.

​​Here's how it'll work:

• ​RSVP to the event and submit your pitch deck.
  

• ​​​​Up to 6 founders will be picked live and have 2.5 minutes to pitch a panel of investors from Hustle Fund's Angel Squad.
  

• ​The investors will ask follow-up questions and offer feedback to the founders.... just like in a real VC meeting!
  

• ​​​​By the end of this event, you'll have a deeper understanding of why investors decide to invest in a company (or not). And the winner takes home a prize.  
  

• ​​​​We'll leave some time at the end of the event for your questions... so come curious!

​Who should come?

​We designed this event for founders and investors. 

​If you're a founder looking to get feedback on your pitch, you'll love this. If you're a founder just looking to learn from other founders, we invite you to register without submitting your deck, and come enjoy the show! We promise you'll get some big takeaways.

​If you're an investor looking to meet more founders, or just hoping to learn more about how to evaluate companies, you'll also get a lot out of Batter Up.

​🚨Take Note

​This is an in-person event. There is no virtual option. You must be present, in-person, to be eligible to pitch.

​Applications to pitch will close on Tuesday, Feb 11 at 5pm CST. If you have not submitted your deck by then, you will not be able to pitch.

​Please be ready with your pitch in case you are selected.

​​The Schedule

​5pm: Get here, eat pizza, make friends

​5:30-7pm: Batter Up begins – hear pitches from 6 founders and investor panel feedback

​7-8pm: Finish the pizza, make more friends

​8pm: See you next time!

​Who's behind this?

​Hustle Fund is an early stage venture firm that believes great founders can look like anyone and come from anywhere. We invest in startups all over the world and we'd love to see what you're building. Learn more about us.

​Angel Squad was created by Hustle Fund for you to Learn, Invest and Network! The impact of the Squad is huge - 1500+ Angels, investing over $23M in 65+ companies. At this event in Nashville, you will have the opportunity to attend an IRL pitch event! Learn more about the Squad.

​Nashville Entrepreneur Center is on a mission to help 1,000 entrepreneurs grow and start businesses each year by 2027. Learn more about our accelerator programs and community at Ec.co or follow us on LinkedIn to see how we're helping more entrepreneurs win.

​Build In SE is a network of startup founders, funders, and ecosystem supporters across the Southeast committed to building regional intelligence, together. Our mission is to increase the number of regional startup success stories through collaboration, community, and resources. Subscribe to #BuildInSE on Substack.

​​Our Emerging Companies Team continuously provides real-time, cutting-edge guidance to our clients on formation, venture and strategic financings, growth through acquisitions, joint ventures and commercial agreements, and exit transactions such as mergers and acquisitions and initial public offerings. Learn more here.