Walking into the Pre-Series A Offsite in Brooklyn, I was looking forward to a day of thoughtful conversations with people who truly understand the challenges of building a company from the ground up. The room was filled with founders, investors, and startup operators, all navigating the complex world of early-stage growth. There was a shared sense of purpose—everyone was here to learn, connect, and exchange insights on what it takes to scale in today’s environment.
Noteworthy Sessions
What’s an A Today?
As the founder of LiquiDonate, I know how unpredictable the startup journey can be. Fundraising, hiring, and building a sustainable business don’t follow a perfect playbook, which is why it was valuable to dive into discussions like “What’s an A Today?”—a session that broke down the evolving benchmarks for Series A funding.
Forecasts vs. Reality
Another discussion, “Projections and Hockey Sticks,” stood out because it tackled the challenges of financial forecasting and the reality of sustainable growth, rather than just chasing flashy numbers.
Building Before the A
And in “Setting Pre-A Goals & Priorities,” we got into the nitty-gritty of what startups should be focused on before making the leap to a Series A round.
The Power of Founder Community
One of the highlights of the day was the founder interview with Kass and Mike Lazerow. Hearing their journey—from Golf.com to Buddy Media—was a great reminder that adaptability and resilience are just as important as vision when building something meaningful.
Beyond the structured sessions, the best insights often came from casual conversations. Whether it was swapping stories about early hires, discussing creative growth strategies, or just sharing the reality of the founder experience, these interactions reinforced the importance of community in the startup world. Looking at this photo, I see a room full of smart, determined people who are all working toward something bigger.
The startup journey is tough, but it doesn’t have to be isolating. Events like this create the space for founders to support each other, share hard-earned lessons, and gain the perspective needed to keep moving forward. Thanks to the organizers and everyone who participated—I’m already looking forward to the next one.
If you're curious about what I've been building, check out LiquiDonate.
.png)
