According to the latest figures, global venture capital funding fell dramatically across all stages in the first quarter of 2023. This news comes while the recent Silicon Valley Bank collapse has tech startup founders increasingly nervous about where they’ll find their next round of funding.

Global funding in Q1 totaled just $76 billion, marking a 53% decline year over year from $162 billion in the first quarter of 2022. Reports indicate that investors across each stage scaled back, with every funding stage down 44%-54% year over year.

Securing funding has always been a major hurdle for tech startups, but a downmarket presents even more challenges for startup founders looking to set themselves apart.

On May 9, Sharon Zehavi will lead a webinar for Founders Network on how to get startup investors to say yes. Sharon is the co-founder 360 Start-up Partners, which helps early-stage startups with investor and user acquisition. Her webinar will provide insights on using neuromarketing when pitching startup investors.

“The truth is plenty of really bad ideas or really simple, dumb ideas get a lot of money and really good world-changing ideas can get none,” Sharon says. “It has nothing to do with the idea. It has everything to do with your ability to influence, convince, and build trust. If you’re neglecting that and you’re only focusing on the idea, you’re always going to lose.”

In her webinar, Sharon will cover:

• The one biggest mistake founders make when pitching to potential investors
• Why great ideas get ignored while not-so-great ideas can raise millions
• The fundamentals of neuro-marketing and why they are essential to your pitch
• How to control perception and master positioning
• Clear action items and simple takeaways to start leveraging the primal rules of persuasion today

About the speaker:

Sharon Zehavi is an award-winning speaker and international branding & marketing strategist. She is the creator of “Sex Up Your Brand”, supporting small business owners to gain exposure and grow their outreach using organic strategies, and the co-founder of “360 Start-up Partners”, helping early-stage startups with their investor and user acquisition.

Sharon brings over 15 years of experience in marketing and advertising across the globe, starting in Israel, going through Europe, and all the way to North America working on brands from all spheres, from multi-million dollar campaigns to impact-driven startups with not much more than a vision. She is a best-selling author, TV host and producer, and a well-known female-empowerment motivational speaker. Sharon had the privilege to share a stage with celebrities like Brooke Shields, Vince Vaughn, Jason Alexander, Michael Douglas, Russell Peters, Jay Abraham, and more.

Sharon is passionate about giving back to the community and is actively involved with multiple charities and foundations that are driven to make this world a better place for all of us. 

Complimentary Ticket:

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About Founders Network:

Founded in 2011, Founders Network offers lifelong peer mentorship to over 600 tech startup founders globally. Our platform, programs and high-touch service facilitate authentic experience sharing, warm introductions and long-term professional relationships. Additional benefits include over $500k in startup discounts and promotion to 2,000 newsletter readers. Members are located in San Francisco, New York City, Los Angeles, Vancouver, Toronto, London and other tech hubs. Each month our Membership Committee admits a new cohort of full-time tech founders who are nominated by an existing member. Learn more about us here

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