Startup Fundraising Bootcamp:
Master your Fundraising Journey
A 2-day program for early-stage startups actively fundraising and looking to take control of their progress.
Built on insights from 20,000+ successful and failed fundraises, this bootcamp helps you pressure-test your round from the investor’s perspective, sharpen your story before the investor meetings, and get direct feedback from active investors – so you can move forward in your raise with confidence.
Date & place
May 5-6, Helsinki, Springvest, Siltasaarenkatu 8-10
Format
In-person; Group sessions and 1-on-1 feedback
For whom
Startups that are actively raising their next round this spring
What you'll get from the bootcamp as a founder
Understand how investors evaluate your startup and what signals they look for
Learn a structured, data-driven approach to fundraising that improves success rates
Get VC feedback on your fundraising strategy and investor materials
Identify the critical steps needed to close your funding round
Why to join this bootcamp?
Fundraising is complex. Many founders waste time on the wrong things simply because they don’t know what investors are actually looking for. Instead of making real progress, they get stuck refining the wrong details, chasing uninterested investors, or struggling to build momentum.
This bootcamp helps you take control of your fundraising by showing you exactly what matters at each stage – how investors evaluate startups, which signals they need to see, and how to structure your round effectively.
You'll get a clear, step-by-step framework covering everything from planning your raise to investor outreach, handling meetings, and securing commitments.
The program is built on insights from 20,000+ investor evaluations of startups – including what works, what fails, and why. By combining this data with real-world experience in startup investing and fundraising, you’ll gain the structure and confidence to navigate your fundraise effectively.
Meet the experts
Piia Maaranen
Investment Director, Innovestor
Former tech CEO and co-owner of Avanto Ventures, Piia has led successful exits including Moi Mobile (acquired by DNA) and the AI-chatbot company GetJenny (acquired by LeadDesk). She has advised numerous startups and launched accelerator programs focused on impact-driven innovation.
Antti Tormanen
Partner, Antler
A serial founder and Partner at Antler, a global early-stage VC investing in founders from day zero. Antti brings deep entrepreneurial experience to the table, supporting and backing impact-driven tech startups as they grow from idea to scale.
Topias Soininen
General Partner at Failup Ventures
Topias is a seasoned entrepreneur and investor with a strong background in product and business development. At Failup Ventures, he now focuses on pre-seed and seed-stage startups, leveraging his experience managing a diverse portfolio across various industries and growth stages.
Reima Linnanvirta
Partner, Trind VC
Reima has been one of the most active angel investors in Finland and across the Nordics. Before joining Trind VC as a Partner in 2022, he built a portfolio of 35 startups. At Trind, he focuses on European startups with a consumer or community component, such as marketplaces, platforms, and product-led growth SaaS.
Gregor von dem Knesebeck
Founding Managing Partner, Blue Future Partners
Gregor combines a dual perspective as a former startup CEO and current LP to offer founders strategic fundraising insights and access to a global network. He co-founded Blue Future Partners, a Germany-based venture fund-of-funds backing emerging VC managers and tech startups worldwide.
Claes Mikko Nilsen
Principal at NordicNinja
As a co-founder of FiBAN (Finnish Business Angels Network), Claes Mikko has played a key role in shaping the Nordic startup ecosystem since 2010. At NordicNinja, he brings a community-first mindset to venture investing, helping bridge the New Nordics with Japan and beyond.
Tuomas Pahlman
Founder, Hopohopo.io
Tuomas have built and successfully exited two startups before starting Hopohopo.io. He’s also an active angel investor in 40+ startups, including Jeff App (one of Europe’s top 20 fastest-growing startups) and Cambri (raised €15M+).
Mirella Yordanova
Head of Community, Hopohopo.io
Mirella previously led founder programs at Google for Startups London and worked with leading funds like Seedcamp, supporting early-stage and late-stage startups across CEE.
Bootcamp agenda
May 5
Set the foundation for a successful round
(12:00 - 18:00)
12:00 – Inside the Fundraising ProcessA real-world view of how successful early-stage rounds unfold—and where they get stuck.
12:30 – What Investors Actually Look ForBased on 20k+ evaluations: traction, timing, team, and credibility signals.
13:15 – Fundability ScorecardUse a VC-style diagnostic to assess your current position and challenges.
14:00 – Sharpening Your StoryClarify traction, team-market fit, and timing to strengthen investor belief.
15:15 – Peer Feedback RoundsShare and test your narrative with fellow founders for honest, practical feedback.
16:00 – 1:1 Check-Ins & Homework1:1 sessions with mentors to reflect on your narrative and identify what to refine.
17:30 – Async Work & PrepQuiet time to work independently on your fundraising narrative and process.
May 6
Build your fundraising process
(09:00 - 17:00)
09:00 – Fundraising as a ProcessLearn how to structure your fundraising work as a repeatable, trackable process.
10:00 – Teamwork: Build & Fix Your ProcessCollaborate with peers and mentors to shape your approach and identify blockers.
11:00 – Messaging That Gets RepliesCreate investor messages that are clear, relevant, and response-worthy.
12:00 – Negotiating the Deal from First Meeting to Deal DocsUnderstanding investors’ process and how to succeed at each step.
14:30 – VC Feedback SessionsGet structured feedback on your fundraising plan and messaging from active VCs.
16:00 – Final Wrap-Up & NetworkingGroup reflection and informal connections with fellow founders and guests.
What founders say about our learning sessions
After successfully fundraising for three startups, I was surprised to find new and insightful data points that helped sharpen profiles and stand out. While the world of investment is driven by hard proof, gut feel, FOMO, and emotion, this data-driven perspective was enlightening. Excellent stuff.
A valuable resource for any startup founder looking to lay a solid foundation for their fundraising efforts.
A great way to understand both sides of the investment process—how investors think and what startups need to succeed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is eligible to participate in the bootcamp?
Startup founders who are actively raising their Pre-Seed, Seed, or Series A round.
This bootcamp is best suited for founders who have already started planning their fundraise and may have spoken with investors. The sessions are designed to provide structured feedback, fine-tune your strategy, and help you move efficiently from investor meetings to closing the round.
Is the bootcamp free?
Yes, the bootcamp is free for startup founders. However, there is an application process to select participants.
How does the application process work?
You can apply through the Hopohopo platform – here's the link. The deadline to apply is April 21, 2025, and selected startups will be announced the week after. Once selected, you’ll receive an email with further details, including the agenda, venue information, and preparation materials.
What is the structure and agenda of the bootcamp?
The bootcamp takes place over two days, May 5-6 in Helsinki, with a mix of group workshops and feedback sessions focused on refining the fundraising strategy and planning next steps in the raise.
The detailed agenda will be shared later.
Will I get 1-on-1 feedback?
Yes! In addition to interactive group sessions, you will receive personalized feedback on your fundraising strategy, investor materials, and next steps to improve your chances of closing a round.
What if I can’t attend both days?
We highly recommend joining this bootcamp if you can – it’s the best way to get direct feedback and accelerate your fundraising. If these dates don’t work, sign up for our newsletter to stay updated on future opportunities.
Can I attend the bootcamp online?
No, the bootcamp is an in-person experience held in Helsinki, Finland. It’s designed to be highly interactive—with hands-on feedback, peer learning, and investor conversations that work best face-to-face.
If you’re unable to join this time, you can subscribe to our community newsletter to stay updated on future Bootcamps and upcoming online events.
You can also visit our other resources, like the Startup Fundraising Essentials webinar series.
Can I bring my co-founder?
Absolutely. In fact, you’ll get even more out of the bootcamp by attending together – especially during the feedback sessions and collaborative workshops.
Who should I contact for any further details?
Feel free to reach out to our Community Manager at mirella@hopohopo.io with any questions.