Your day at Startup School.
Thursday, November 5, 2026 · University of Denver
- Check-in
- VIP 8:45 AM, Premium & GA 10:00 AM
- Where
- Sturm Hall, 2040 S Race St. Breakouts are in Community Commons, a 3 minute walk. Directions
- Parking
- Included with VIP. Everyone else can use the campus lot for $14 per day.
- Transit
- RTD light rail to the University of Denver station, a short walk from campus
- 8:45 AMVIP only
VIP Check-In
- 9:30 AMVIP only
The Founder Boardroom, presented by Eide Bailly
Work through your top business challenges in small groups with real experts before the day begins. Experts include Seth Levine of Foundry, John Common, CEO of Wisteria Growth Partners, and Eide Bailly’s KK Barton, Senior Tax Manager, and Maggie Lugo, Director.
Experts: Seth Levine, Co-founder & General Partner, Foundry · John Common, CEO, Wisteria Growth Partners · KK Barton, Senior Tax Manager, Eide Bailly · Maggie Lugo, Director, Eide Bailly
Session details - 10:00 AMPremium & GA
Premium & GA Check-In
- 11:00 AM–12:15 PM
Opening Mainstage
Seth Levine (Foundry, GoodBread) and John Sebesta (University of Denver) open the main event with a conversation on why profitable, growing businesses get passed over by both banks and venture capital, the objections founders hear, and how investors spot a winning company.
On stage: Seth Levine, Co-founder & General Partner, Foundry · John Sebesta, Chair of Entrepreneurship, Daniels College of Business
Session details - 12:15–1:15 PM
Breakout Round One
Community Commons, a 3 minute walk from Sturm Hall
Pick one:
Track 01Cash Poor, Equity RichJennifer Beck, Jihi · Cindy Willard, Impact Charitable · Liz Giorgi, Soona · Jamie Winkler, InBankModerated by Michael Bevis, Birch RoadTrack detailsTrack 02Build the MachinePaige Goss, Point Solutions · Makisha Boothe, Sistahbiz · Paul Owusu, Jurnee Club · Liz Dennett, EndolithModerated by Kate Bailey, Chief of StaffPresented by Point Solutions SecurityTrack details - 1:15–2:30 PMLunch & Learn: Premium & VIP
Catered Lunch + Lunch & Learn: “Financing the Grey Area”
Founders in cannabis, psychedelics, ketamine and alternative medicine, peptides and GLP-1, and women’s health all hit the same wall. This session digs into how founders in regulated and emerging categories actually raise, bank, and scale when the traditional playbook does not apply. With Jennifer Beck, Jihi. Moderated by Kelly Campbell, Nurture.
Lunch & Learn: Jennifer Beck, Co-Founder & CEO, Jihi · Kelly Campbell, Moderator, Nurture
Session details - 2:30–3:30 PM
Breakout Round Two
Community Commons, a 3 minute walk from Sturm Hall
Pick one:
Track 03Brand ObsessionPauleanna Reid, WritersBlok · Alyssa Chan-Evangelista, Inspired Media · Janet Hoang, Selfmade · Anna Zesbaugh, Corpse ReviverModerated by Richie Skye, Reach The SkyeTrack detailsTrack 04Raise ReadySumeet Shah, VHS Ventures · Shannon Flahive, Ensemble VenturesModerated by Ila B Corcoran, SengoTrack details - 3:30–4:15 PM
Mainstage Panel: “Show Me the Exit”
What it really takes to sell a company: M&A, deal structure, and the founder psychology of letting go, from founders who have exited and the advisors who get deals done.
Panel: Robin McBride, Co-Founder of the McBride Sisters and Investor · Paige Coriden, Corporate & M&A Partner, Holland & Hart LLP · Jess Druey, Exited-Founder to Gallo · Ethan Furtek, Integris Partners, M&A Broker · Marla DiCarlo, Moderator, BizNavigators
Session details - 4:15–5:00 PM
Fireside Chat
Natalie Holloway, Co-founder & CEO of Bala
In conversation: Natalie Holloway, Co-founder & CEO, Bala
Session details - 5:00–6:30 PM
Evening Reception
For every ticket.
Breakouts run in Community Commons, a 3 minute walk from Sturm Hall. Colored balloons and student guides will point the way. Room assignments are still to come.
Questions on the day? Email team@startupschoolconference.com.