The Tracks at Camp Hustle

Angel investors and VCs have a lot in common: they both want to support great founders, and they both want big returns.

But their methods are often different. And the things they want to talk about or learn about are sometimes different, too.

That’s why this year’s Camp Hustle will offer two tracks: the VC track and the angel track.

What’s the difference between the two? Great question — so glad you asked.

The Venture Track

Here’s what the venture track has to offer:

• Pitch Deck Clinic → a panel of 3 LPs will review 5 VC pitch decks in front of the group. It’ll be as if the decks hit their inboxes cold. You’ll get a sense of what they like, what elements raise red flags, and what’s missing.

• Office Hours with the GPs → schedule 1-1 time with a Hustle Fund GP. All three of these incredible humans are angels, operators, VCs, and LPs. Get feedback on your pitch, your deck, your X factor, portfolio construction, hiring strategy, revenue channels, value-add programs, etc.

• What makes an emerging fund manager stand out? → Carson Monson’s session will give you an inside peek at the LP perspective. He’ll share what LPs are looking for beyond track record and DPI, what are instant red flags, how to develop relationships with LPs, the best and worst follow-up strategies, and more.

• Raising in Public → Typically VCs can’t broadly announce their raise or solicit backers publicly. It’s illegal. But there’s a workaround. Raising under 506c regulations allows funds to raise in public. There are challenges, but it can also be super effective way to launch a fund. Josh Muccio of The Pitch Fund did just that. And he’ll share his story — and learnings — at Camp Hustle.

• Fund Operations, Audits, and Valuations → Moss Adams is a financial advisory firm with deep knowledge and experience in venture capital. Their session will cover three topics: fund ops (building an in-house vs. hiring out), audit + tax preparedness (what's necessary and when to start), and portfolio valuations (documentation, compliance, and best practices). This is going to be wildly tactical and useful for VCs.

• VC-hosted sessions → Four phenomenal VCs will be hosting sessions on the industries that they specialize in. Shauntel Garvey from Reach Capital will talk about EduTech, Samara Hernandez from Chingona Ventures will cover Future-of-Work companies, Adam Draper from Boost VC will speak on DeepTech (space and bio), and Maria Rotilu from Openseed VC will offer insights on investing in international markets.

The Angel Track

We’ll also have some sessions designed specifically for angel investors. For example…

• Deal Assessment Framework → Hustle Fund GP Eric Bahn will review the 5-pillar framework that Hustle Fund uses to evaluate startups. If you’re in the early stages of building your portfolio, this is a must-attend.

• Live Deal Review → Evaluating companies theoretically and actually reviewing a pitch deck are two totally different experiences. Hustle Fund Partner Haley Bryant will walk the group through a couple of real startup decks. You’ll see the assessment framework applied in real life, and participate in a group discussion about each opportunity.

• Seedstrapped companies → Founders today have more resources at their fingertips than ever before. Most companies require less capital to build and scale, which means they stop fundraising after their seed round. Investor (and truly brilliant operator) David Hauser only invests in these types of companies. He’ll talk about the ROI potentials and how to get to an exit.

• Industry-specific discussions → The Angel Track will also feature breakout groups on topics like fintech startups in emerging markets, healthcare, and robotics.

• Franchise startups → Drybar is a franchise brand. In 2020 their product line was acquired for $255m. Their franchise locations generate over half a million in ARR. Imagine if you invested in Drybar when it first launched. What exit might you have seen? This session, hosted by VC Andy Louis-Charles, will dive into the franchise market. Learn about the industry and extensive ROI opportunities.

Stuff everyone will love

And then we have programming that everyone will enjoy. Like…

• Lunchtime Sessions → Pick a topic and discuss with other campers over lunch. Campers with experience in a given topic are invited to take the lead, facilitating a group conversation that celebrates curiosity and sharing of insights. Topics will include (but aren’t limited to): family + aging tech, climate tech, fundraising, sourcing deals, becoming an LP, and mental health startups.

• Founder Showcase → Meet 8 wildly innovative and inspiring founders who are building game-changing products. All companies are actively fundraising or preparing for an imminent raise. They’re building in spaces like transportation, healthcare, consumer tech, AI, and robotics.

• Shark Tank → Watch three actively fundraising pre-seed startups pitch live. A panel of VCs — and the audience — will ask follow-up questions and give real-time feedback to the entrepreneurs onstage.

• The Future of AI → Lake Dai from Sancus Ventures is not just investing in AI… she’s teaching about it at Carnegie Mellon, and impacting the industry through Benevolent AI Future. Her discussion will cover anxieties around AI, industries that are under-using AI, new industries that could be created thanks to AI, and the ethics of AI. This is going to be so good.

• The Secondaries Market → Companies are remaining in the private sector for longer than ever before. Which means there are a gob-smacking number of people and organizations who own shares in late-stage, high-growth companies. These people want to liquidate. Jamie Melzer from Altra Venture Partners lives and breathes this world. Her session will cover the opportunities, risks, and realities of the secondary market.

Can I go between tracks?

Camp Hustle is a “choose your own adventure” event.

You’re welcome to attend an angel investing session, then pop over to the venture track, and back again.

Whatever sessions you choose, you’re going to:

a) learn a ton

b) hear from some SUPER smart people

c) voice your own insights

d) and connect with people who care deeply about these topics, too

Camp Hustle is just a couple of weeks away. And we would be delighted for you to join us.

Will I see you there? → camphustle.co

I’ll be the one eating marshmallows,

Kera from Camp Hustle