Turning the Tables: Investors Share What Founders Need to Know
- Amanda Townshend
- 5 days ago
- 2 min read
By: Dr. Tobias Endress
On 25 June 2026, Startup Grind Bangkok hosted VCs & Founders: Reverse Pitch at The Urban Office in Phra Khanong, bringing together founders, aspiring entrepreneurs, students, and members of Bangkok’s startup community for an evening of candid discussion and networking.
The event reversed the usual fundraising dynamic. Instead of founders pitching to investors, investors took the stage to explain their investment focus, the kinds of ventures they look for, and what helps an early conversation stand out.
With around 100 registrations and a highly engaged crowd throughout the evening, the event created an energetic and open atmosphere. Participants had the opportunity to hear directly from Gagan Ajmani, CEO of WOWS Global; Pahrada “Mameaw” Sapprasert, Managing Partner at 500 TukTuks and Orzon Ventures; David Galipeau, Partner at SDGx Ventures; Taro Lertwattanarak, CEO of J Ventures; and Sirapat Samransamruajkit, Investment Analyst at A2D Ventures. The evening was moderated by Dr. Tobias Endress, Director of Startup Grind Bangkok, who guided the discussion and audience Q&A.
The discussion offered practical insights into how investors assess early-stage opportunities. Across the presentations, speakers highlighted the importance of a strong founder–market fit,
credible evidence of demand, clear market potential, and a convincing explanation of why the team is particularly well placed to solve the problem. For many investors, sustained customer traction and retention matter far more than headline growth numbers alone.
The evening also reflected the range of investment perspectives active in the region, from B2B software and AI to deep technology, sustainability, and impact-focused ventures. Beyond funding, the speakers emphasized the value of building relationships early, communicating clearly, and approaching investor conversations as an opportunity to build mutual understanding rather than simply request capital.
The strong participation and thoughtful questions from the audience showed that founders are eager for more direct, practical conversations about fundraising. The Reverse Pitch format offered a useful way to make investor expectations more transparent and to help founders prepare for future fundraising discussions with greater confidence.
A warm thank-you goes to The Urban Office for hosting the event, as well as to the speakers and Startup Grind Bangkok team for making the evening possible. Given the lively discussion and positive response, this is a format Startup Grind Bangkok looks forward to bringing back from time to time.
