What It Takes to Raise Capital in a Crowded Market and Who to Raise It From

Taylor Foxman, founder of The Industry Collective, brings over a decade of experience advising founders in the beverage and CPG space, informed by her PR & communications work with major global brands including Pernod Ricard, Campari, Stoli, and Patrón.

In this session, Taylor outlines how founders can approach today’s more competitive and selective funding environment. She covers what makes early-stage companies stand out to investors — from demonstrating capital efficiency and traction to having a firm grasp on financial fundamentals like contribution margins and retention. She also offers guidance on evaluating strategic capital versus shorter-term funding options, including bridge and tranche rounds.

In addition to tactical best practices, Taylor shares insights on the founder qualities that often separate the most successful fundraisers: clarity, focus, scrappiness, self-awareness, and a willingness to listen and adapt.