- London's Startup Pulse
- Posts
- AI Surge and What It Means for Startups
AI Surge and What It Means for Startups
+ weekly list of handpicked startup events for founders and investors in London
Vasily Alekseenko
September 29, 2024
In partnership with
AI Surge and What It Means for Startups
As we head towards October’s London’s Largest Demo Day, one thing stands out: AI is no longer just a buzzword. Startups are embedding AI into their products in practical and impactful ways. From improving customer experience to handling large datasets with generative AI, it's become essential, not just trendy.
Earlier in the year, many startups mentioned AI but lacked real integration. Now, the focus has shifted to how AI can drive efficiency and add real value. Investors have become much more critical—they want to know exactly how AI is being used, what problems it’s solving, and how it sets a company apart. Just saying “AI” isn’t enough anymore. Investors are looking for genuine applications, and startups that can demonstrate this are the ones gaining traction.
Beyond AI, SaaS startups are continuing to grow, particularly in B2B and B2C spaces. Hard tech and deep tech sectors, though innovative, are still underrepresented, likely due to the longer timelines and higher capital needs. Fundraising has been challenging, with a slow summer for many startups. However, we’re seeing a strong bounce back, especially for those with a solid AI strategy. Family offices and angel syndicates are stepping in, bringing fresh energy and capital.
However, not all early-stage startups have survived the economic shifts. Some founders returned to regular jobs, but this has led to a higher caliber of applicants for our upcoming Demo Day. The companies that have survived have shown grit and resilience. These founders have proven they can adapt and deliver, which is exactly what investors are looking for.
For founders, adaptability and focus on real value are key to surviving in today’s landscape. Investors are asking tougher questions and looking for more than just flashy demos.
For investors, the quality of startups is improving, with fewer but stronger contenders. As AI continues to shape the future, startups that offer real-world applications and scalable solutions will be the ones standing out.
DEMO DAY UPDATE 👀
We’re excited to announce the agenda for London’s Largest Demo Day on October 14th, featuring a range of topics and masterclasses for both founders and investors!
Highlights include sessions on “Fail Fast and Fail Cheap,” “How to Avoid Fundraising Scams,” “Family Offices: Investing in Funds as LPs vs. Direct Startup Investments,” and “How to Assess US Expansion Readiness for Your Portfolio Companies.”
Don’t miss this opportunity to gain valuable knowledge and network with fellow founders and investors! See the full agenda here.
EVENT OF THE YEAR🔥
 | Rare FoundersLondon’s Largest Demo DayAre you ready to experience the event where you get a real value? Join us for 1 day conference built around London’s largest pitching stage featuring 100 pre-selected founders pitching to the audience of hundreds of investors. But there is more. We will have 2 content stages for founders and investors, 121 networking area, mobile app for the day, access to LIVE podcast recording with some top guests. We will even have a quiet/ wellness space for anyone who might feel anxious and will benefit from quality me-time. In-person event 1 Wimpole Street, Westminster, London, W1G 0AE, UK Mon 14 Oct, 9:00 - 23:00 BST |
RARE FOUNDERS EVENTS❤️
 | Rare FoundersOpen-mic Pitching and NetworkingOur open mic pitching event is back before our big day in October! This is the last chance for founders to test their 1-minute pitch on stage and enjoy valuable networking opportunities. We will be joined by the legendary Anthony Rose, Founder and CEO of SeedLegals. We will discuss the pitching: what needs to be included in your pitch (especially the short one), what should be avoided, and how to stand out and be remembered. In-person event Blue Marlin Ibiza London, 45 Curtain Rd, London, EC2A 3PT, UK Mon 30 Sep, 18:00 - 23:00 BST |
 | Rare FoundersStartup RunBi-weekly 5k running events for anyone in the startup ecosystem, followed by networking drinks in the nearby pub. Same time same, place. In-person event Green Park, London, W1J 9DZ, UK Thu 3 Oct, 18:00 - 22:00 BST |
 | Rare FoundersFirst Money-InOnce the London’s Largest Demo Day is over, instead of boring drinks reception we will be hosting another mini-event where 10 founders who have not raised any money yet will be pitching to 20 active investors who will come to invest money on the day. Drinks and snacks will be provided as well as music played by DJ. In-person event 1 Wimpole Street, Westminster, London, W1G 0AE, UK Mon 14 Oct, 18:00 - 23:00 BST |
Turn your vision into growth without diluting equity – Grantify is your fast track to government grants.
OTHER LONDON EVENTS🌟
 | Superteam GlobalLondon Buildstation : Level Up Your Pre-Seed StartupThe London Buildstation is more than just an event; it's a ten-day startup sprint that brings together the best technical minds, ambitious founders, specialised giga brains, and top-tier investors at the frontier of technology. In-person event Liverpool street area, London, UK Mon 30 Sep - Wed 9 Oct |
 | Scotland HouseVC Breakfast ClubKick-off Sifted Summit week in style by joining this exclusive, approval-only breakfast and VC panel. This will be a rare chance to connect with 50+ fellow VCs, LPs, Angels, and 20x Pre-Seed to Series A+ Scottish startups who have been vetted and selected to showcase their companies during the week. In-person event Scotland House, 58 Victoria Embankment, Temple, London, EC4Y 0DS, UK Tue 1 Oct, 9:30 - 11:30 BST |
 | Scotland HouseScotch & Pitches @Sifted SummitContinue Sifted Summit in style at this exclusive, approval-only mixer. This will be a chance to reflect on the lessons and opportunities of the conference so far and connect with 200 fellow VCs, LPs, Angels, Scotland-based pre-seed to Series A+ founders, ecosystem builders and corporate guests from around the world. In-person event St Paul’s area, London, UK Web 2 Oct, 19:00 - 22:00 BST |
 | SeedLegalsThe Essential Guide to SeedFAST and SeedNOTEsWith investors, institutions and accelerators offering investment using a variety of instruments it's crucial founders have a solid knowledge of what they are and the key terms and conditions included. Online event Tue 1 Oct, 12:00 - 13:00 BST |
 | Hatch EnterpriseMastering Your Pitch DeckJoin this webimnar to learn how to craft an effective pitch deck, focusing on format, structure, contents, and visual considerations. Online event Tue 1 Oct, 12:00 - 13:00 BST |
 | GoodTechVenturesThings I Wish I Knew Before FundraisingDiscover the insider secrets to fundraising success from the founders who have been there and done it 🚀 In this enlightening session, 2 seasoned entrepreneurs will spill the beans on their fundraising journeys. From the highs to the hurdles, get the lowdown on sourcing various types of funding. Online event Wed 2 Oct, 10:30 - 11:30 BST |
 | CartaFireside breakfast with Carta CEO, Henry WardJoin Shawn Atkinson of Orrick for a deep-dive session with Henry Ward, CEO of Carta, as they discuss Henry’s journey scaling Carta to a 1,700-strong company across the US, Europe, and APAC. The conversation will cover key topics such as funding strategies, international growth, M&A versus organic growth, and opportunities in AI, followed by an interactive Q&A. In-person event 107 Cheapside, London, EC2V 6DN, UK Thu 3 Oct, 8:30 - 10:00 BST |
 | SeedLegalsHow to Value Your StartupJoin the webinar designed for first-time fundraisers to demystify startup valuation and investor funding language. Learn how to ground your valuations in reality, understand the "risk ladder" used by investors, discover three proven valuation methods, and receive practical tools for determining your business's value. Online event Fri 4 Oct, 12:00 - 13:00 BST |
Turn your vision into growth without diluting equity – Grantify is your fast track to government grants.
Grantify’s unique blend of AI-powered efficiency and expert human guidance has helped innovators secure over £130M in government grants, with success rates up to 6x higher than industry averages.
They've streamlined the application process, making it up to 7x faster than traditional methods, allowing founders to focus on what they do best – innovating.
With dedicated Grant Experts, a rigorous review process, and ongoing support, Grantify isn't just a grant writing service; they're a strategic partner in growth.
In one funding round, their startups claimed an unprecedented 72% of available funds.
Ready to fuel your vision without diluting equity? Take Grantify's 90-second eligibility quiz to see if you qualify.
Vasily Alekseenko
Founder
@ Rare Founders
Rare Founders - building the bridge between founders and investors via regular in-person and online events, meetups, conferences.
Reply