We’ve all heard the golden rule of startup fundraising: “Don’t ask for money on the first date — you need to build a relationship first.”

​But how do you actually turn polite coffee meetings into a signed term sheet? How do you build real trust with investors who see hundreds of pitches every year?

​If you’re a founder preparing to raise capital, or a student, researcher, or aspiring entrepreneur eager to understand how investors actually think — this is your opportunity to get unfiltered, actionable wisdom straight from the source.

​Patrick Lor is a two-time founder turned investor with an outstanding track record. He co-founded iStockphoto (acquired by Getty Images) and served as President of Fotolia North America (acquired by Adobe). Today, as Managing Partner of Panache Ventures — a leading seed-stage VC firm backing enterprise SaaS, fintech, AI, and more — Patrick has invested in over 100 Canadian startups. He’s known for his hands-on approach, sharp pattern recognition, and commitment to backing exceptional and often underestimated founders.

​In this high-impact 90-minute Masterclass, Patrick will share practical strategies on:

• ​How to build genuine trust and strong relationships with investors

• ​What investors look for when deciding to back a founder (and common mistakes to avoid)

• ​The mindset, communication, and preparation needed to successfully raise capital

• ​Real-world insights into founder-investor dynamics from both sides of the table

​Who Should Attend?

​Students, researchers, founders, and innovators across any sector who want to deeply understand the fundraising process and how investors think. Whether you’re preparing for your first raise, refining your approach, or simply looking to learn from the best, this session will deliver clear, battle-tested guidance.