A hands-on working session for pre-seed and seed stage founders, hosted by Dr. Natalie Marks, CEO of the Veterinary Angel Network for Entrepreneurs (VANE).

The Innovation Showcase drew over 100 applications this year, and only a fraction could take the stage. So we want to be clear: selection reflects slots, fit, and timing. It does not measure your credibility, and it is not a signal to skip the conversations with investors and strategic partners happening all around you this week. Plenty of strong companies weren't picked the first time they applied. They showed up, learned how investors read a deck, and pitched better because of it.

That's what this session is for. You'll hear directly from founders who've been through it: what changed between their first pitch and the one that landed, and what they wish someone had told them earlier. Expect straight talk on market validation, team composition, and regulatory strategy, and what separates a deck that earns a second meeting from one that doesn't.

Come with your deck. Leave with a clearer one, a better plan for the rest of the week, and a community that wants to see you succeed.