Sarah Willson
Principal | Panache Ventures
Sarah Willson is a Principal at Panache Ventures, a pre-seed and seed-stage venture capital firm backing founders with Canadian ties and global ambitions from day one. Sarah is also a Professor at the Schulich School of Business, where she teaches a 3rd and 4th year course called Financing Growing Ventures. Previously, Sarah worked at the Creative Destruction Lab in Toronto in the Artificial Intelligence stream, leading thesis development on regulatory AI with a focus on bias, model explainability, and data privacy. She also brings firsthand experience as a former consumer marketplace founder. Sarah holds a Master’s in Management, Innovation & Entrepreneurship from Queen’s University.
45 MINS
Breakout Space - Gallery
Founder Roundtables
Roundtables are exclusive to Startup passholders. Spots are limited to 11 attendees per table, and pre-registration is required via the Meeting Exchange platform.
We’ll host a total of five roundtable conversations during this 45-minute block.
Roundtable 1: Target the Right Investors: Smart Strategies for Focused Fundraising
Before venture capital steps in, founders are using Special Purpose Vehicles (SPVs) to raise early funding, attract strategic investors, and maintain cap table control. This interactive roundtable will break down SPV mechanics, share real-world case studies, and explore the benefits and challenges of this approach.
Zeeshan Ali – Partner, Wittington Ventures
Roundtable 2: Power Dynamics in Fundraising: Reading the Room and Reclaiming Leverage
Investor meetings can feel like power plays—but they don’t have to. In this interactive roundtable, founders will unpack how investor–founder dynamics shape negotiation outcomes and learn practical ways to read signals, set boundaries, and regain confidence in the fundraising process. Through guided discussion and shared experiences, participants will explore strategies to level the playing field and turn investor conversations into genuine partnerships.
Sarah Willson – Principal, Panache Ventures
Roundtable 3: Cracking the VC Code: Funding Strategies for Women Founders
Join this interactive conversation on bridging the gender gap in venture funding. With women-led startups still receiving only about 2% of global VC capital, this roundtable explores how founders can better connect with women-led funds and successfully navigate fundraising within male‑dominated firms. Gain practical strategies, insider perspectives, and guidance on presenting your venture with confidence to the right investors.
Emily Smiley – Executive Director, Movement51
Roundtable 4: From First Meeting to Term Sheet: Navigating Angel Group Power Dynamics
Walking into a room of 30 angels can feel intimidating and lopsided. In this session, Ozan will help founders understand the power dynamics at play in angel forums and follow-on calls, how to read the room, manage competing investor opinions, and stay in control of key deal terms while still getting to “yes”.
Ozan Isinak – President, Keiretsu Forum Canada
Roundtable 5: How to Pitch U.S. VCs from Pre-Seed to Series A
Join Caroline McManus, investor at Hyde Venture Partners, for an interactive roundtable designed to help Canadian founders sharpen their U.S. fundraising strategy. This session will explore what top U.S. venture capitalists look for at each stage—from framing a compelling story to establishing traction and navigating investor expectations. Founders are encouraged to bring their questions for an open, candid discussion that offers actionable feedback and practical guidance to strengthen their pitch and position their startup for cross-border success.
Caroline McManus, Investor, Hyde Park Venture Partners
