Investors are fixtures at tech conferences, but there’s no lack of misunderstandings between event organizers and venture capital firms’ platform staff. At Sesame Summit 2025, we got them to talk to each other on how this collaboration could go more smoothly.
At Sesame Summit 2024, we uncovered unspoken issues between venture investors and event organizers. For example, organizers often resent VCs hosting side events that don’t benefit the main conference, yet many VCs, even at last year’s Biarritz event, didn’t realize this. Do VCs really need events to source deals anymore? Do organizers actually read speaker application forms? And are diversity panels helping anyone, or just ticking boxes?
So at Sesame Summit 2025, we did something rare. We put VC teams and event organizers in the same room and asked: How can we smooth out the bumps in this relationship?
Led by futurist Henry Coutinho-Mason, startup event wizard Austė Šilkaitytė, and myself, our goal wasn’t to run yet another panel. We set out to crowdsource a set of working principles — a Ten Commandments-style field guide — for anyone navigating the murky waters of content, capital and curation.
🧠 What event organizers really think
1. Events aren’t Glassdoor — but maybe they should be
What if event organizers had a private rating system to assess which VCs are actually engaging, insightful speakers, and which ones ghost last minute or bring recycled content? The idea of a VC “Glassdoor” for speaking slots raised some eyebrows… and a few smirks.
2. Don’t overestimate speaker application forms
Events rarely source speakers via application forms. VC staff can see some success by suggesting speakers via application forms, but it’s unlikely to result in a speaking engagement for most events. For example, speaker submissions may work better for smaller events than for larger ones, which mostly rely on curating the list of speakers, not inbound interest.
3. Think beyond sales: Investor Relations is the way to go
Several organizers agreed on this point. Having a dedicated IR person to manage VC relationships is now essential, not just to land deals, but to build and foster lasting trust and relationships. Think investor relations, not logo hunting.
4. Ask VCs what they really want
Top event organizers shared a nugget that may help newcomers: Venture investors have different goals that events can help them achieve, and it’s not always dealflow. They may be looking for limited partners, seek to recruit, satisfy their FOMO, or build their brand. But if you don’t ask, you won’t know. That’s where the value chain breaks down.
5. Smaller is smarter
It’s not all about mega-stages, especially when it comes to aligning with VC goals. Events should explore curated formats to connect VCs with other asset managers — think LP-GP dinners, Family Office lunches, or side events with Business Angels and PE firms.
💼 What VCs really think
6. “We should probably pay more often”
Yep, someone actually said it. VCs should pay, especially for side events and private meetings that piggyback on an event. The organizers and event deserve some of the benefit, too. Respect the work, fund the ecosystem.
7. “We could prep our speakers better”
Too many VC firms send associates or partners to panels unbriefed. It shows. If you want to be on stage, prep like it matters.
8. “We know where the editorial gold is”
Venture firms and investors know which companies are the hottest before anyone else, and that also applies to their portfolio. If they can help events access the best of the best before their big news breaks, it’s a win-win for the programming, the VCs, their portfolio firms and the press alike.
9. “Enough with the diversity panels”
Female investors shouldn’t only be invited to “Women in VC” panels or as moderators. Invite them to talk about their actual field of expertise.
10. “Have an opinion, or stay off stage”
This is one thing that VC comms folk wish their partners would hear: The best speakers aren’t neutral; they’re bold. Speakers who challenge the room are remembered. The ones who say what everyone already knows? Not so much.
🤖 The visual breakthrough
One of the unexpected highlights of this event were a few AI-generated visual metaphors that were produced in real-time using Henry’s VisuAIze system based on anonymous sketches.
Instead of Post-it chaos, we got instant clarity — and laughs.
“Using AI visuals made tackling tough topics accessible, even fun,” Henry shared in his LinkedIn post. “People could share anonymously, mistakes broke the ice, and even awkward truths felt easier to explore.”
This wasn’t just showing off tech for its sake. These visualizations shifted the whole tone of the workshop to a memorable experience.
For instance, this picture above is telling: VC firms are often frustrated with how frequently event programming teams’ junior staff changes. Hence their ask: At least send a handover email.
🧩 Who was in the room?
Events: 4YFN, Arctic15, DigitalK, France Digitale, How to Web, JEC World, Oslo Innovation Week, SXSW, TechChill, Techarena, Tomorrowland/Love Tomorrow, VivaTech, Web Summit.
VCs: Brighteye, daphni, Elaia, Karma Ventures, Partech, Revaia, Samaipata, Serena, Target Global, Ventech, and others.
🎯 What happens next?
Of course, we’re all still figuring this relationship out. But one thing’s obvious: better collaboration starts with transparency about expectations, incentives, and the goals that go beyond stage time and sponsor logos.
So here’s our call to action for VCs and events alike:
- Events: Invest in real investor relations. Ask better questions. Say no more often.
- VCs: Treat events like strategic partners, not vendors. Show up with intent. And bring your wallet, not just your presence.
We’ll keep refining these “Ten Commandments” with the Sesamers community. But for now, let’s stop playing the same old game and build something better, together.