FORGE Investor Readiness Workshop with Wiggin and Dana

Whether you are prepping for your first investor conversation or trying to figure out which type of capital actually fits where you are right now, the challenge is less about finding money and more about understanding what kind of money, and whether you are ready for it.

Legal and financing expert Jack Sousa, Partner at Wiggin and Dana, will provide a practical, straight-talk look at what investor diligence actually means, how different funding mechanisms and equity structures work, and how to match the right capital to your stage. No generic pitch prep advice, just a clear framework you can take back to your business the same afternoon.

Who Should Attend

This session is built for innovative founders and early operators who are preparing to approach or actively navigating outside investment. If you want to understand what investors are really looking for when they dig in, or how to think about your capital stack before you need it and which funding paths exist beyond traditional VC, this is for you. Advisors and ecosystem partners supporting startups will find it equally valuable.

What You Will Walk Away With

A clear picture of what investor diligence readiness looks like — and what gaps to close before you are in the room
A practical breakdown of funding mechanisms, capital stack structure, and equity types so you can make informed decisions, not just reactive ones
A map of funding personas and real resources matched to where you actually are in your journey
Concrete next steps and direct connections to follow up on