Beyond the Pitch: What Growth-Stage Investors in Seattle Are Really Looking For
Scaling Your Startup – Navigating Investor Expectations from Seed to Growth Stage
Raising a seed round is one thing—but what happens when your startup starts scaling? Investor expectations evolve dramatically as companies grow, and founders often find themselves navigating new demands around team development, governance, traction, and risk.
Join us for an insightful discussion with Seattle-area investors and operators, including:
Ross Trenary (CFO, LevelTen Energy) – Scaling clean energy startups through strategic finance & operations
Anthony Bontrager (Managing Director, WestRiver Group) – Guiding high-growth tech companies from Series A to exit
Madin Akpo-Esambe (General Partner, Tacoma Venture Fund) – Investing in disruptive innovations & founder-led scaling
Alyssa Anglin (Investor, McCarthy Capital) – Private equity insights on governance & exit readiness
Moderated by Emma Tsuber (Principal, Clark Nuber)
We’ll unpack key challenges, including:
Team & Leadership: How investor expectations shift from scrappy founders to scalable leadership teams
Governance & Compliance: Preparing for board dynamics, reporting, and institutional scrutiny
Scaling Traction: Beyond MVP—what metrics and milestones matter most at Series A/B?
Risk Mitigation: Anticipating operational, legal, and financial pitfalls before they derail momentum
Exit Readiness: Aligning growth strategies with long-term liquidity goals
Hosted in collaboration with Kelly Lawton-Abbot (SSM Law), Emma Tsuber & Matt Medlin (Clark Nuber), and Morgan Rogers (NOW CFO), this panel will feature candid perspectives from investors and operators who’ve seen startups succeed (and stumble) through the growth stage.
Whether you’re preparing to raise or already scaling, come away with actionable insights to position your company for the next phase.
Who Should Attend: Founders, startup executives, and investors navigating the transition from seed to growth stage.