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Founders

Only at the IPN SUMMIT.

Founders

Sessions

Explore our lineup of keynote speakers and industry leaders who will inspire and enlighten at the conference.

Panel Discussion

Beyond VC: Redefining Funding For Impact Startups

Dive into innovative funding models reshaping how mission-driven startups raise capital and scale impact.

Panel Discussion

Bootstrap, Borrow, or Blow Up: How Founders Really Fund Their First Year

live, podcast-style panel featuring founders who have taken very different paths to fund their first year, from personal credit and SBA loans to accelerators, and venture capital. We’ll unpack the real-world fundraising stories, trade-offs, and lessons learned that aren’t often shared on stage. The session will include a 40-minute moderated panel discussion, live audience Q&A, and optional networking before or after

Panel Discussion

From Idea to Impact: How Young Builders Spot What the World Actually Needs

This live panel featuring founders who built impactful companies in their 20s or earlier will share how they uncovered the problems that led to their ventures—sometimes in unlikely places. Then, attendees (ages 18-29) will participate in a hands-on workshop where they learn how to identify problems, streamline workflows, and solve pain points. The session will include a 45-minute moderated panel discussion, 15-minute live audience, Q&A 30-minute hands-on workshop with panelists as mentors, and optional networking after

Panel Discussion

From Idea to Pre-Seed $$$$

This will be a 90-minute session during which founders will learn how to craft a clear, compelling pitch and navigate the pre-seed fundraising process. We’ll open with a 30-minute talk by Aliya Lakhani from Precursor Ventures covering what early stage investors look for, how to shape your story, and how to prepare for meetings. Next, we’ll host two engaging 30-minute panels: Investor Panel: Hear directly from VCs about how they evaluate teams, markets, and opportunities in today’s pre-seed environment. Founder Panel: Learn from entrepreneurs who recently raised their rounds on what worked, what didn’t, and how they turned “no’s” into “yes’s.

Panel Discussion

From Operator to Investor: Navigating the Leap into Venture and Private Equity

This session is designed for high-agency builders who are exploring how to transition from scaling companies to backing them. We’ll have a panel of experienced investors who dig into what it really takes to shift from leading a business to investing in them—how to evaluate deals, support founders, and build an investment thesis that leverages your operating edge.

Round Table

High Stakes, Clear Mind: Founder Thinking Under Pressure with Alykhan Rehmtulla (Lead and Moderator: Shireen Jaffer)

One of the flagship sessions in the Founder/Innovators track is on Emotional Regulation, focused on equipping builders with strong mental frameworks and tooling as they scale. The format includes a 20-30 minute fireside, followed by 30-45 minutes of a hands-on workshop. Would love to have you on the fireside and dig into the craziness/hardships you battled while at Altru, from founding to exit.

Panel Discussion