Event Detail




Show the Proof: Traction, Milestones & Financials That Win

Date: Wednesday, April 1, 2026

Time: 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM PST

Location: Virtual

Join us for a workshop to understand that Investors don’t just fund ideas, hey fund evidence. In this workshop, Ivan Markman will guide founders on how to demonstrate traction, define meaningful milestones, and present financials that build credibility and investor confidence. Learn how to communicate progress, validate your market opportunity, and position your startup for successful fundraising.

Ticket price:

  • Free for WCS Members
  • $15 for Non-Members
  • Interested in becoming a member? Join us here
  • Please note: This event will be recorded.

Great ideas spark interest—but proof builds conviction. Investors look for clear evidence that your startup can execute, scale, and deliver meaningful returns. In this practical workshop, Ivan Markman—an experienced startup operator, investor, and advisor with a track record of leading companies to successful exits—will share how founders can present traction, milestones, and financials in ways that inspire confidence and unlock funding.
Drawing from his experience leading high-growth startups, investing in early-stage companies, and advising founders through critical growth phases, Ivan will break down what investors really look for when evaluating progress and readiness.

Participants will learn how to:

  • Identify and communicate the traction metrics that matter most to investors

  • Define milestones that demonstrate execution, momentum, and scalability

  • Present financials and projections with clarity and credibility

  • Avoid common mistakes founders make when presenting traction and financial data

  • Build a compelling narrative that connects progress to future growth and funding potential

This workshop is ideal for early-stage and growth-stage founders preparing for investor conversations, pitch competitions, or fundraising. You’ll leave with actionable insights to strengthen your investor narrative and clearly demonstrate why your company is ready for the next stage.

Speaker:

Ivan Markman

Board of Director, Private Investor and Advisor, Climate X

Ivan Markman is a hands-on advisor, investor, and operator with nearly two decades of experience helping startups and scale-ups achieve meaningful growth and successful exits. He has supported companies from pre-seed through exit across B2B SaaS, data, analytics, AI, and climate tech sectors. Ivan has led major business turnarounds, including serving as Chief Business Officer at Yahoo, where he helped restore growth and profitability, resulting in a successful spin-off. As a private investor and board director, he has backed and guided numerous high-growth companies, contributing to multiple exits, capital raises, and long-term value creation across the technology and climate innovation ecosystem.

 

 


About the FoundHER in Climate 2026 - Women Entrepreneurs Coaching Series

As the impacts of climate change reverberate and global energy transitions gain urgency to meet growing demand, women remain underrepresented in founding roles across climate tech and sustainability. The global climate tech market is projected to reach $100+ billion by 2030, with $20 billion in VC investments into US climate tech companies in 2024 alone. However, across the same period, solo female founders in the climate sector received less than 2% of that total funding, reflective of the larger trend of women-only founders receiving 2% of VC funding globally. To close the gap, targeted support systems and comprehensive resources are critical for equipping female founders with the tools and networks they need to succeed. 

FoundHER in Climate 2026 is an exclusive and comprehensive 10-month program designed to fast-track women entrepreneurs building in the climate, cleantech, and sustainability sectors into the top 50% of investable ventures. The program -  running from January through October 2026 - features expert-led workshops, office hours, fireside chats, and networking sessions to build critical business skills for early-stage founders looking to raise seed funding. Top industry leaders and successful founders provide hands-on guidance in fundraising, leadership, marketing, pitching, and legal fundamentals, with completion of the series intended to prepare participants for the WCS Pitch Competition and Reverse Pitch Events.

Learn more here | Schedule


EVENT SPONSORSHIPS AVAILABLE! Please email us at info@womencleantechsustainability.org if you have any questions.