Jeanne M Sullivan
+1 917 742 4127
Where’s the Money?
Is raising financing for your business a mystery?
For most entrepreneurs, fundraising is the roadblock standing between their vision and the business they want to build — the hires, the product, the launch, the growth. I make that road clear. I help founders understand what investors actually look for, build the tools that speak their language, and show them how to confidently own the room when the moment comes. I show you how to win the room.
Because when you learn to tell your story with clarity, power, and authenticity, investors take out their wallet and fund your business.
My role is to transform fundraising from an obstacle to a launchpad — and to turn you into the kind of founder that investors seek.
About Jeanne
Meet Jeanne M. Sullivan—Jeanne turns fundraising from fearful to fearless, giving founders the clarity and confidence to win investors and launch their businesses.
Jeanne brings a wealth of expertise as Co-Founder of StarVest Partners (a pioneering NYC-based venture capital firm with $400 million under management) and as Chief Inspiration Officer at advisory firms working with dynamic leaders. She has over 30 years at the forefront of technology and venture investment. Forbes has called her “one of the women VCs changing the world” for her tireless work grooming the next generation of founders and investors.
What sets Jeanne apart? She’s:
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An advisor and builder who’s sat on both private and public company boards
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Equipped with an operating background at AT&T and Bell Labs
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A founding member of many major NYC entrepreneur networks
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A hands-on mentor and champion for women in business (and a few good men!)
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A frequent keynote speaker renowned for high-impact, actionable advice—demystifying the fundraising process and inspiring authentic change
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Her energetic stage presence, candor, and humor turn even the most daunting fundraising challenges into empowering journeys. Audiences enjoy her ability to connect, educate, and give practical tools founders can use tomorrow.
Offstage, Jeanne’s a tenacious mentor. She served many years as an Athena Entrepreneur Fellow at Barnard College, served on the Women’s Leadership Board at the Harvard Kennedy School, and as a Trustee at the New York Hall of Science and on the Global Board of Trustees of Astia, a fund that funds women-founded businesses.
And for a memorable twist: Jeanne once took the stage at the Denver Opera House in a full Wonder Woman costume, bringing 1,500 women to their feet in a standing ovation for her message of inspiration and empowerment!
If you’re searching for a keynote speaker, Emcee or Moderator who connects, inspires, and moves audiences to action—with real-world fundraising expertise and a human touch.
Jeanne M. Sullivan is a must-have for your next event. Let's connect to see how Jeanne can bring high-impact energy and insight to your next gathering of founders, investors and CEOs.
Jeanne's Talks
Five Silly Things that Entrepreneurs do Over and Over Again. With Companion overview: Five Stupid Terrible Things that Investors Do Over and Over again.
Securing funding for your business isn’t just difficult; it’s a high-stakes minefield, especially for first-time CEOs. The pitfalls are real, and choosing the wrong investor can turn your dream into a daily nightmare. In this talk, I shine a light on the relentless, preventable mistakes that both entrepreneurs and investors make—missteps I’ve seen over and over again from the front lines.
Delivered with wit and candor, this isn’t just another doom-and-gloom warning. Whether you catch it as a brisk lightning talk or settle in for a content-rich course, expect to leave with practical wisdom and a laugh, equipped to avoid the traps and win the right kind of investor for your vision and business.
Where’s the Money? The Essential Tools for Raising Capital
Creating a thriving company is a lot like growing a great garden—you need the right tools, a good plan, and the knowledge to use them well. In this talk, I’ll walk you through exactly what it takes to build and fund your tech, biotech, AI, or any ambitious business idea. Think of me as your guide: I’ll demystify the fundraising process, show you how to spot and attract the right investors, and tell you what to say when you finally land that crucial meeting.
Whether you’re a first-time founder or a seasoned CEO gearing up for your next round, you’ll walk away with practical insights you can put to work immediately. This is your inside look at the real tools you need—not just to launch, but to grow and thrive.
Ready, Set, Fund: Tools and Tricks of the Trade for Getting Your Business Financed
Getting an investment isn’t just about having a killer idea—it’s about dodging the landmines, learning the unwritten rules, and mastering the art of investor courtship. In this engaging seminar, I bring stories from both the winners’ podium and the cautionary tale corner, all with plenty of humor. I tell war stories of victory and defeat gained from a career as a seasoned VC.
We’ll cut through the “finance-speak” fog so your startup sounds smart, not just desperate. From decoding term sheets and cap tables to pinpointing the investor who’s right for you, we’ll roll up our sleeves together.
Expect hands-on prep for the all-important investor meeting and practical fundraising strategies tailored for students, founders, and CEOs. If you’re ready for real talk, a few laughs, and actionable wisdom, I’m ready to lead the way. Let’s make raising capital just a little less terrifying—and a lot more successful.
Testimonials
When Jeanne Sullivan moderates a session for us, you can feel the audience sit up and lean forward in their seats. Her wealth of knowledge and experience commands attention from our audience. The discussions she facilitates are fast-paced, informative, and entertaining. She's an ideal speaker to help deliver value to the Thought Leaders on our stage & to the audience themselves.
Patrick Lane - EVP Benzinga - Finance Platform and Producer of Events and CEO: Ignite It
Jeanne and I have worked side-by-side for several years. She can engage an audience with fast-paced discussions as a Moderator or Emcee and she is clever and interesting with new content for the subject matter: audiences enjoy her. Jeanne is asked to moderate or emcee or speak at many conferences and she prepares diligently - an asset to any conference on many subjects.
Jamie L. Pearson
President - The New Holland Group
I have worked with Jeanne for several years and we have delivered many overviews of the cannabis industry to various audiences - investors, canna curious people, and entrepreneurs. She is knowledgeable about the business side of building a cannabis operation and how to get the needed funding. Her delivery is engaging and dynamic, Jeanne is passionate about creating value for a wide variety of audiences, and it shows.
David Feldman
Feldman Legal Advisors
New York
Contact Jeanne
Contact Jeanne
I turn fundraising from fearful to fearless, giving founders the clarity and confidence to win investors — and help you launch your business.
+1 917 742 4127