INVESTOR DAY
The largest gathering of venture at Slush.
The Cable Factory
1–6 PM on Nov 19 (Day 0)
SPEAKERS
AT INVESTOR DAY 2024
STAGE AGENDA 2024
1:45–2:10 PM — GIVING VENTURE A REALITY CHECK
PANELISTS:
David Clark–Chief Investment Officer at VenCap International
Leyla Holterud–Managing Director at StepStone Group
MODERATOR:
Lisa Edgar–Advisor at Strategic Venture Advisors, LLC
It’s been a rough two years for GPs to fundraise. While falling valuations have pushed some smaller LPs to shy away from venture, for LPs who’ve been in the business for a while this is (or is it?) just another blip on the radar. For them, a quiet time in the market is the best time to invest and find new managers as the truly unique GPs stand out more from the rest.
David Clark (VenCap) and Leyla Holterud (StepStone) will share what they as LPs are seeing in the market, and what makes them excited and worried about venture. Moderated by Lisa Edgar (Strategic Venture Advisors, LLC)
2:15–2:40 PM — MASTERING FUND CONSTRUCTION
PANELISTS:
Filip Dames–Founding Partner at Cherry Ventures
Hussein Kanji–Founding Partner at Hoxton Ventures
Gil Dibner–Founding partner at Angular Ventures
MODERATOR:
Iain Martin–Senior Editor at Forbes
Your fund size is your strategy. It determines the number of portfolio companies, check sizes, reserves, LP base, talent pool, and return profile. Given how crucial it is, it’s worth discussing how to master fund construction.
In this conversation, we will hear from 3 Midas List investors: Filip Dames (Cherry Ventures), Hussein Kanji (Hoxton Ventures), and Gil Dibner (Angular Ventures), about how they approach building their funds to optimize for the above key elements. Moderated by Iain Martin (Forbes)
2:45–3:10 PM — MAPPING OUT THE ROAD FOR GROWTH INVESTING
PANELISTS:
Saanya Ojha–Partner at Bain Capital Ventures
Frederic Court–Investor and Founder of Felix Capital
Alex Lim–General Partner at IVP
MODERATOR:
Kia Kokalitcheva–Senior Reporter at Axios
With IPO windows closed, M&A transactions stalled, and many startups overvalued after raising large rounds during the ZIRP era, the outlook for growth-stage companies may seem dim. But is this conventional wisdom accurate?
In this session, Saanya Ojha (BCV), Frederic Court (Felix Capital), and Alex Lim (IVP) will challenge this narrative, exploring whether the future for growth-stage investors is as bumpy as it seems or if there are smoother paths ahead. They’ll dive into current market dynamics, valuations, and the key factors shaping the road forward for growth-stage investments. Moderated by Kia Kokalitcheva (Axios).
3:15–3:40 PM — NAVIGATING THE TRANSITION TO INSTITUTIONAL INVESTORS: HOW GPS CAN BUILD AND NURTURE RELATIONSHIPS WITH INSTITUTIONAL LPS
PANELISTS:
Lindsay Larsen–Managing Director at UVIMCO
Dhruv Patel–Investment Manager at Wellcome Trust
MODERATOR:
Colette Ballou–Investor at Ballou Capital
This session will focus on the crucial switch from being an emerging manager backed by funds of funds and High-Net-Worth Individuals to attracting institutional investors and the friction that can result. The panel will provide anecdotes and actionable tips to avoid that friction so that funds can bring on institutional investors seamlessly, as well as other advice for all GPs on how to build and nurture a long-lasting and beneficial relationship with institutional investors.
Together with Lindsay Larsen (UVIMCO) and Dhruv Patel (Wellcome Trust), we will cover how to build and nurture a long-lasting and beneficial relationship with institutional investors. Moderated by Colette Ballou (Ballou Capital)
3:45–4:10 PM — NAVIGATING THE OPPORTUNITIES AND CHALLENGES OF INVESTING IN AI
PANELISTS:
Bryan Kim–Partner at a16z
Justina Chung–Vice President at Bessemer Venture Partners
Imran Ghory–Partner at Blossom Capital
MODERATOR:
Mark Bergen–Bloomberg
The sector that has been stealing the headlines is also stealing our stage. Bryan Kim (a16z), Justina Chung (Bessemer Venture Partners), and Imran Ghory (Blossom Capital) will unpack what to look out for when investing in AI.
Since AI entered the mainstream only a few years ago, investors might still wrestle with their approach to startups competing with incumbents, high valuations, monetization, distribution, and sales. Our speakers are here to share their perspectives on those and many other important aspects when evaluating a startup. Moderated by Mark Bergen (Bloomberg)
4:15–4:40 PM — CHECKING THE PULSE OF EARLY-STAGE INVESTING
PANELISTS:
Adam Nelson–Partner at FirstMark
Brett Gibson–Managing Partner at Initialized
Hanel Baveja–Partner at Creandum
MODERATOR:
Cate Lawrence–Senior Writer at Tech.eu
Everyone wants to find the next big thing first, that’s why the early-stage market has been attracting attention. But amidst all the buzz, where do we really stand in the Seed and Series A markets? Let’s talk about the current megatrends, competition for the best companies, and many more with 3 stellar investors.
Adam Nelson (FirstMark), Brett Gibson (Initialized), and Hanel Baveja (Creandum) will share their perspectives on the current state of Seed and Series A in Europe and the US. Moderated by Cate Lawrence (Tech.eu).
4:45–5:10 PM — BUILDING SYMBIOSIS IN LP-GP RELATIONS
PANELISTS:
Jon Biggs–Partner at Top Tier Capital Partners
Robert Lacher–Founding Partner at Visionaries Club
Julia Hawkins–General Partner at LocalGlobe
MODERATOR:
Jessica Hamlin–Senior Funds Reporter at PitchBook News
Running a venture firm is a long-term game. If you are successful, you might devote decades of your life to being a GP. Therefore, it is crucial to build symbiosis with your LPs, the entities behind your fund, to thrive even in the current tougher times.
Jon Biggs (Top Tier), Rob Lacher (Visionaries Club), and Julia Hawkins (LocalGlobe) will discuss their approach to building functional LP-GP relations by sharing their wins and losses. Moderated by Jessica Hamlin (PitchBook News).
STAGE PROGRAM
The Investor Day stage program will feature some of the world’s best VCs, LPs, and ecosystem leaders engaging in the hottest topics of 2024. Some of the focus areas include Europe’s current market status, early-stage investing, and finding the right funds to invest in.
The stage program will run from 1:40–5:10 PM. The detailed stage agenda will be available closer to the event date.
ROUNDTABLES
Investor Day will feature a series of exclusive roundtable discussions, bringing together ten investors for intimate, 45-minute sessions. These gatherings offer a unique opportunity to engage in deep, meaningful conversations, exchange valuable insights, and delve into shared experiences centered around a pre-defined topic.
MEETING AREA
For the first time in history, Investor Day will have a meeting area for pre-booked 1-on-1 meetings scheduled through the Matchmaking Tool. For each meeting in the Meeting Area, there’s a table reserved for the duration of the meeting (25 minutes).
Once you arrive at the Meeting Area, volunteers will help you find your table. The meeting area offers an effective and easy way to have all of your important investor meetings already during Day 0.
LP LOUNGE
A special place for LPs to meet each other and relax during the Investor Day. LP Lounge offers facilities for networking between LPs and is exclusive for LPs attending the Investor Day.
NETWORKING LOUNGES
Gather around and meet new people with the same interests at networking lounges. Networking lounges offer a chill setting for meeting new people and facilitating new connections.
PARTNERS
AT INVESTOR DAY 2024
MAIN PARTNER
MAIN PARTNER
MAIN PARTNER
SUPPORTING PARTNER
SUPPORTING PARTNER
SUPPORTING PARTNER
SUPPORTING PARTNER
FAQ 2024
Where will Investor Day take place?
Investor Day will take place in the Cable Factory, Merikaapelihalli (Kaapeliaukio 3, 00180 Helsinki).
Do I need a ticket to register for Investor Day?
Yes, to get access to the Investor Day, you will need to have an Investor Pass for Slush 2024 and register for the Investor Day on the Slush platform.
When will the registration for the Investor Day open?
Registration now open for all Investor Pass holders.
Will there be food & drinks?
There will be an option to buy food and drinks.
Can I use the Matchmaking Tool during Investor Day?
Yes, you will be able to schedule meetings before and during the Investor Day. Once the Matchmaking tool opens, you can either book a meeting for the meeting area where you get automatically assigned a table or then go with an option to choose the location yourself.
How can I host a roundtable session?
the 2024 Roundtable Hosts have been chosen. As long as spots remain, you can register to join a roundtable on the Investor Day Platform page.
How do I join roundtable sessions?
Roundtable registration now open as long as seats remain.
COME VISIT
Malminkatu 16
00100 Helsinki