How to Build an AI Startup that Attracts Funding + Customers + Talent #NYTechWeek

​Building a venture-backable AI startup today requires more than a good idea - it requires clear traction, the right GTM strategy, and a strong narrative that resonates with both investors and early hires.

​In this live session, George Bandarian, Founding Partner at Untapped Ventures, will walk through the frameworks, benchmarks, and trends he uses when evaluating early-stage AI startups. He’ll also share insights from Untapped’s portfolio and recent market data, with a focus on where opportunities are growing in AI, from Agentic to  Vertical AI to BCI, AGI, and everything beyond.

​What we’ll cover

• ​Fresh market data and startup benchmarks from Q1 2025

• ​Sector-specific insights on emerging AI categories - from infrastructure to Agentic AI

• ​Fundraising trends, valuation shifts, and how investors are thinking about moats in AI

• ​Tactical frameworks for ideation, validation, traction, and recruiting in AI

• ​Untapped’s approach to de-risking early-stage AI companies and preparing them to raise

​Who should attend

• ​Founders of pre-seed or seed-stage AI startups
  Technical builders transitioning research into product

• ​Early team members focused on fundraising, GTM, or hiring

​Whether you’re actively raising or preparing to launch, this session will give you the clarity and structure needed to build a fundable and scalable AI company.

​Pitch us here if you're an AI founder raising your pre-seed or seed round.

​About George Bandarian

​​​George Bandarian is the Founding General Partner of Untapped Ventures, a leading AI venture capital fund. With extensive experience, he has made dozens of investments in leading AI startups and collaborates with top-tier investors. He is the host of the podcast 'Agentic', where he leads deep discussions that uncover the untapped potential and breakthroughs of autonomous AI systems shaping the future.

​​​About Untapped Ventures

​​​Untapped Ventures is an LA-based early-stage VC firm focused on investing in technical AI founders who are building groundbreaking Native AI B2B startups, with an emphasis on Agentic AI, Vertical AI, and AI Infra. Committed to transforming the lives of 1 billion people, Untapped Ventures offers $500K+ in funding, along with dynamic sprints and access to a powerful network of advisors, experts, and investors.

​​This event is a part of #NYTechWeek—a week of events hosted by VCs and startups to bring together the tech ecosystem. Learn more at www.tech-week.com.