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- Friday’s on. But here’s the truth.
Friday’s on. But here’s the truth.
+ weekly list of handpicked startup events for founders and investors in London
Vasily Alekseenko
April 24, 2025
Friday’s on. But here’s the truth.
Hi LEGEND,
I’m writing this with less than 24 hours to go before the event we’ve spent five months building.
London’s Largest Demo Day happens tomorrow — and I wish I could say everything is going smoothly behind the scenes. But the truth is, we’ve hit a wall.
Despite the momentum, the energy, and the support from all of you, several of our key sponsors pulled out at the last minute. Market conditions, board decisions — all understandable. But it’s left us with a financial gap we didn’t plan for.
And yet… we’re still going ahead.
Because this event isn’t just a conference. It’s a statement.
It’s a call to do things differently. To finally have the conversations startup events never make space for.
You’ve probably seen it building over the past few months — we’re not just creating panels and pitch stages. We’re giving founders the chance to be brutally honest. We’re creating space for unfiltered conversations, for things normally only said in private WhatsApp chats or pub corners to finally be said on stage.
And the response has been massive:
2,000+ attendees (all manually vetted)
450+ investors joining
100 pre-selected founders pitching
Two content stages — the light and dark sides of money — with the boldest speaker lineup we’ve ever hosted
So we made a decision.
We won’t cut corners. We won’t scale it down. We won’t cancel.
Instead, we’re turning to the people we’ve always built this for — you.
Founders. Investors. Community builders. People who know what it takes to make things happen even when the odds stack up late in the game.
Here’s how you can help (and I wouldn’t be asking unless we really needed it):
💥 Last-Minute Sponsorship Auction (Closes Today @ 3PM):
If you know a brand or partner that would love exposure to this kind of audience, send them this post — or bid on their behalf:
💛 Support us on GoFundMe and save the Demo Day (Every £1 matters):
We’ve opened up a community funding option for anyone who wants to chip in and help cover the remaining costs.
We’ve done everything we can to build something worth showing up for.
Now, we’re asking for a little push to carry it over the finish line.
Thanks for reading this, and thanks for being part of the community that keeps showing up — over and over again.
See you tomorrow.
— Vasily
RARE FOUNDERS EVENTS🔥
 | Rare FoundersLondon’s Largest Demo DayLondon’s Largest Demo Day isn’t your typical tech event. It’s 2,000 handpicked founders, 450+ investors, and 100 top-rated startups pitching live. It’s brutal honesty on stage, no-fluff panels, and back-to-back networking with people who actually matter. One day. One room. No filters. In-person event 1 Wimpole Street, Westminster, London, W1G 0AE, UK Fri 25 Apr, 9:00 - 17:00 GMT |
 | Rare FoundersThe Great Startup MarketAfter a jam-packed day at London's Largest Demo Day, we're bringing you 'The Great Startup Market' as our evening event! Join our rapid-fire high-energy event where hundreds of startups ‘trade’ their products and services with one another in order to gain those all-important early-adopters and champions. In-person event 1 Wimpole Street, Westminster, London, W1G 0AE, UK Fri 25 Apr, 18:00 - 22:00 BST |
OTHER LONDON EVENTS🌟
 | Covent GardenA community 5K run invites participants of all levels to move, connect, and embrace the spirit of spring, whether training for a marathon or simply seeking a refreshing start. The event includes post-run community time, a seasonal gift, and sets the tone for ongoing weekly meetups celebrating authenticity and togetherness. In-person event 25 Neal St, London, WC2H 9PR, UK Sat 26 Apr, 09:30 - 10:30 BST |
 | Founders Running Club :: LondonJoin us for a weekly community run that brings together founders, investors, creatives, and startup enthusiasts for an easy-paced jog followed by coffee and casual networking. Participants are encouraged to run at their own pace or with a pacer, with friends, family, and pets welcome. In-person event Inner Cir, London, NW1 4NU, UK Sat 26 Apr, 09:30 - 11:00 BST |
 | Walking Club: Regents Park & Primrose HillA walking club that combines mindful exploration with meaningful conversation, offering a chance to reconnect with oneself, others, and the city. Each free session includes a 90-minute walk through London’s green spaces, followed by a relaxed meetup over drinks. In-person event St Mark's Square, London, NW1 7TN, UK Sat 26 Apr, 12:00 - 14:00 BST |
 | London Venture Day w/Harry StebbingsJoin us for an exclusive event that connects top founders, investors, and tech leaders. The event features a fireside chat with the founder of 20VC, discussing the future of tech in Europe and providing actionable advice on startup growth and capital raising. In-person event Clifford Street Area, London, UK Mon 28 Apr, 17:00 - 20:00 BST |
 | Reverse Pitching: Top AI Funds Pitch To You!An exclusive reverse-pitching event invites top global investors to present their propositions to founders from pre-seed to Series A stages, both in person and via livestream. It also features a dedicated session for accelerators and incubators to showcase their support programs to early-stage startups seeking funding and growth opportunities. Use promo code RF25 for 25% off In-person event Canary Wharf, London, E14 5AB, UK Tue 29 Apr, 14:00 - 19:30 BST |
 | People MeetupJoin a curated evening social designed exclusively for senior People leaders to connect over drinks, snacks, and conversations in a vibrant, bar-style setting. Join professionals from across the tech ecosystem as they strengthen community ties and foster meaningful connections. In-person event 25 Worship St, London, EC2A 2DX, UK Tue 29 Apr, 18:00 - 20:30 BST |
 | From Seed to Series A - Mastering the Metrics That MatterThis master session offers a strategic guide for scaling from Seed to Series A, focusing on financial optimisation, team evaluation, and milestone execution. Participants gain insider insights from experienced founders, investors, and VCs to help turn traction into funding success. In-person event Bishopsgate Area, London, UK Tue 29 Apr, 17:00 - 20:00 BST |
 | The Thinking Game Screening + Live PanelJoin this event for a screening of The Thinking Game, a documentary that takes viewers inside DeepMind's journey to develop artificial general intelligence (AGI), showcasing pivotal breakthroughs and challenges. Following the film, a panel discussion will delve into the future of AGI, its implications, and how it could transform our understanding of intelligence and progress. In-person event 38 Graham St, London, N1 8JX, UK Tue 29 Apr, 18:00 - 21:00 BST |
 | The Group Symposium 2025A specialized event designed for angel investors to explore effective strategies for launching and growing successful angel groups. It offers insights from industry leaders and networking opportunities for investors looking to expand or professionalize their groups. In-person event Finsbury Square, London, EC2A 1AH, UK Wed 30 Apr, 13:30 - 20:00 BST |
 | From Seed to StartupJoin this open event to explore the journey of building sustainable biotech startups within the UK ecosystem, focusing on the challenges and opportunities in climate innovation. Gain insights from leading founders through keynote discussions and networking sessions. In-person event Gorsuch Pl, London E2 8JF, UK Wed 30 Apr, 18:00 - 21:00 BST |
 | LLM Deep Dive!An evening event focused on cutting-edge developments in Machine Learning, particularly Large Language Models, combines expert-led talks, real-time demos, and hands-on insights. Attendees enjoy a relaxed atmosphere with food, networking, and engaging discussions on AI tools and applications. In-person event Cowper St, London, EC2A 4AW, UK Thu 1 May, 18:00 - 21:00 BST |
 | CFO Series - LondonJoin a networking event designed for finance leaders at startups and scaleups, offering a chance to connect with peers, share best practices, and explore funding strategies during uncertain times. The evening includes informal networking, a fireside chat with funding experts, and refreshments. In-person event Kingly Street Area, London, UK Thu 1 May, 18:00 - 21:30 BST |
 | Thriving In The Midst Of Chaos: AI’s impactThis panel explores how AI is transforming growth strategies across all levels of business, from internal operations to customer engagement. Attendees will gain practical insights into real-world AI applications, leadership strategies, and the future of scaling in a rapidly evolving landscape. In-person event Old St, Tower, London EC1V 9NR, UK Thu 1 May, 18:30 - 21:00 BST |
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Vasily Alekseenko
Founder
@ Rare Founders
Rare Founders - building the bridge between founders and investors via regular in-person and online events, meetups, conferences.
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