Speaking
Talks That Change How People Think About Funding
A nationally recognized speaker and workshop facilitator on startup fundraising, pitch strategy, and equitable access to capital. Featured at SXSW 2025 and conferences, accelerators, and universities worldwide.
60+
Organizations
1000s
Founders Reached
SXSW
2025 Speaker
Talks & Workshops
The Rise of the Rest of Us
KeynoteWe are in the middle of a fundamental shift in how early-stage innovation gets funded, and most people don't see it yet. This talk traces the history of venture capital, exposes who it was built to serve, and makes the case for why a broader, more diverse investing ecosystem is not just more equitable but more profitable. Allison shares data on why "the rest of us" are better investors, explores the regulatory and technology tailwinds accelerating this shift, and lays out what it means to vote with your dollars for the innovation and the founders you want to see win.
Best for: Conferences, investor groups, angel networks, ecosystem events
Strategic Fundraising
Most founders think fundraising is about pitching. It isn't. It's about building the right relationships before you need them, targeting capital sources that actually fit your business, and telling your story in a way that creates genuine conviction. This talk, featured at SXSW 2025, gives founders a practical strategic framework for the entire fundraising arc, from preparation and investor targeting to managing the process and closing. No hustle-culture myths. No one-size-fits-all advice. Just a clear, honest roadmap.
Best for: Founder communities, accelerators, startup events
Angel Investing 101: Voting for the Innovation and Innovators You Want to See
You don't need to work at a VC firm to invest in startups. You don't even have to be accredited anymore. Angel investing is one of the most direct ways to put your money behind the innovations and founders you believe in, and thanks to regulatory changes, it's more accessible than ever. This talk is for aspiring and early-stage angels who want to understand how the private market actually works, how to evaluate early-stage deals, and how to build a portfolio that reflects their values alongside their financial goals.
Best for: Angel groups, investor events, wealth managers, community investors, corporate groups
Workshop: Preparing the Pitch
A hands-on workshop where founders learn and apply the Core 10 Pitch Deck Framework, a structure vetted by hundreds of investors that teaches exactly what to include, what to leave out, and how to tell a compelling story. Participants leave with concrete feedback on their own decks and a clear action plan. Sessions can be customized for stage (pre-seed, seed, Series A) and format (cohort, intensive, or multi-session curriculum).
Best for: Accelerator cohorts, university programs, pitch competitions, founder retreats
Workshop Organizations
Organizations where Allison has facilitated pitch and fundraising workshops
What Organizers Say
"Allison Byers is a standout presenter who delivers value and knowledge with clarity, depth, and enthusiasm. She engaged our startup founders in a way that increased engagement, generated clear takeaways, and had them raving long after her presentation was done. I would recommend Allison to any organization or program that empowers founders around their pitch."
Stefanie Diaz
Zane Venture Fund
"We highly recommend the Scroobious workshops. We had two very seasoned CEOs come up to us after the session to let us know that even though they have pitched many times, they still 'learned something valuable.' She gave relevant examples, provided easy-to-use tips, and offered candid advice."
Joyce Sidopoulos
MassRobotics
"With years of personal pitching experience and extensive work with investors and entrepreneurs, Allison provides invaluable insights and actionable feedback on crafting compelling pitch decks for investors. We're so grateful to be able to work with Allison to help entrepreneurs in our network."
Jingjing Li
The Capital Network
"I honestly think it was the most practical and instantly applicable pitch workshop we've seen!"
Pete Horsley
Remarkable
For Event Organizers
Speaker Photo
Speaker Bio
Allison Byers is the author of Fundraising for The Rest of Us and Founder & CEO of Scroobious, a relationship-first capital access platform. She is a recognized voice on the structural gaps in early-stage investing and an advocate for policy and technology that expand who gets funded. Allison's work sits at the intersection of startups, capital formation, and ecosystem building.
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Book Allison for Your Event
Available for keynotes, panels, and workshops, virtual and in-person. Talks are tailored to your audience and can include book bundles for attendees.
allison@scroobious.com