Talks That Change How People Think About Funding

We are in the middle of a fundamental shift in how early-stage innovation gets funded, and most people don't see it yet. This talk traces the history of venture capital, exposes who it was built to serve, and makes the case for why a broader, more diverse investing ecosystem is not just more equitable but more profitable. Allison shares data on why "the rest of us" are better investors, explores the regulatory and technology tailwinds accelerating this shift, and lays out what it means to vote with your dollars for the innovation and the founders you want to see win.

Best for: Conferences, investor groups, angel networks, ecosystem events

Angel Investing 101: Voting for the Innovation and Innovators You Want to See

You don't need to work at a VC firm to invest in startups. You don't even have to be accredited anymore. Angel investing is one of the most direct ways to put your money behind the innovations and founders you believe in, and thanks to regulatory changes, it's more accessible than ever. This talk is for aspiring and early-stage angels who want to understand how the private market actually works, how to evaluate early-stage deals, and how to build a portfolio that reflects their values alongside their financial goals.

Best for: Angel groups, investor events, wealth managers, community investors, corporate groups

Workshop: Understanding Your Funding Options

Raising capital without a map means chasing the wrong sources at the wrong time. This workshop maps the complete ecosystem — from venture capital and angel investors to non-dilutive grants, revenue-based financing, and philanthropic investment — and helps founders build a personalized strategy for how to approach it. Participants learn the data behind who controls capital and why that matters, develop their Ideal Investor Profile (IIP), and leave with a clear framework for identifying the right capital sources at the right time for their business.

Best for: Founder cohorts, accelerators, university programs, social impact programs, ecosystem events

Workshop: Think Like an Investor

Getting a yes from an investor requires a fundamentally different story than getting a yes from a customer. Investors aren't evaluating your product — they're evaluating a financial opportunity. This workshop teaches founders to see their pitch through an investor's eyes using the Story-Risk Framework: the principle that every section of a pitch must simultaneously tell a compelling narrative and systematically remove reasons to say no. Participants work through the Core 10 Pitch Framework section by section and leave with concrete tools to strengthen their own decks — including how to navigate familiarity bias and reframe the pitch as an opportunity, not an ask.

Best for: Founder cohorts, accelerators, pre-seed and seed communities, book events, pitch competitions