You'reInvited

TO JOIN US IN DES MOINES, IA

August 5-7, 2026

The Founder’s Chair is heading to Iowa, and we’re inviting you to be part of the room where strategic partnerships begin. This is your front-row seat to exceptional Founders solving real problems and ready to scale.

You’ll be investing, collaborating, and staying ahead of the curve with a community that knows how this industry moves.

Day 1

Arrival, Preview Mixer, Funder-Only Dinner

Day 2

Coffee & Breakfast, Presentations, Group Dinner

Day 3

Breakfast, Funder Debrief, Departure

Invest in the next generation

HOW IT WORKS FOR FUNDERS

Remember when you were building your company and wished you had access to experienced operators who could provide candid feedback, make strategic introductions, and help you avoid costly mistakes?

Now you can be that resource for the next generation.
At The Founder’s Chair, we bring together former operators—people who’ve built, scaled, and exited companies in insurance and wealth tech—with carefully vetted Founders who are solving real distribution problems.

As a Funder, you’ll meet high-quality companies, provide strategic feedback, and invest when you see strong alignment. But there’s no obligation to fund a company. Your feedback alone creates tremendous value in and of itself.

Check Out Our Agenda

James giving toast at TFC detroit after party

Count me in for TFC Des Moines!

Woohoo–you won’t regret it! Drop your details below so we can secure your spot and get you ready for Iowa!

Secure My Seat

Oh no! I can’t make this one.

We’ll miss you, but we totally understand! Since you’re unable to join us in Des Moines, be sure to pencil us in for the next one.

Location TBD

November 9 – 11, 2026

Full lodging and transportation information will be provided soon (the closest airport is DSM). In the meantime, here’s a general breakdown of your time with us!

Preview Mixer

We’ll launch the event with great energy, conversation, and cocktails. It’s a relaxed setting to connect with Funders and Founders before the big day.

DAY 1

4:00 – 6:30 PM

Dinner

Founders and Funders break off for separate, small-group dinners designed to foster deeper conversations.

DAY 1

6:30 – 9:30 PM

Free Time and Cocktails

After dinner, all attendees have the opportunity to regroup over a nightcap (or two). This time is designed to loosen up, ask questions, and prepare for the big day!

DAY 1

9:30 PM – Midnight

Show Time!

This is where the magic happens. It’s a long, but very exciting day. Be sure to stay hydrated and move around*. We provide a buffer between presentations to ensure just that.

*Breakfast, lunch, snacks, and drinks will be provided.

DAY 2

8:30AM – 5:15PM

Group Dinner and Night Out

This isn’t your typical sit-down dinner. It’s casual, open, and designed for real connections between everyone involved.

Walk around, grab a plate, spark a conversation, and deepen relationships with people who could change your trajectory.

DAY 2

6:45 PM – Midnight

Breakfast and Funder Debrief

Funders will come together* to discuss what they saw from our Founders: their strengths, areas for improvement, recommendations for next steps, questions, and overall opportunities.

*Breakfast and a boxed lunch will be provided.

DAY 3

8:30 – 11:30 AM

Why Operators Become TFC Funders

Pay It Forward

You’ve navigated the challenges of building in this industry. You know what it takes to earn advisor trust, scale through distribution channels, and build something that endures.

Now you have the opportunity to share that hard-won knowledge with Founders who need exactly what you’ve learned and who will actually listen because they respect where you’ve been.

Access to Carefully Selected Deal Flow

TFC founders aren’t random pitch deck submissions. They’ve been vetted for:

Distribution understanding (they get how this industry works)
Coachable leadership (they want feedback, not just capital)
Real traction (pilots, customers, meaningful progress)
Financial viability (we collect financials and pro-forma projections)
Strategic fit with the operator community
Reasonable negotiation approach (they can defend their valuations and will negotiate when real value is demonstrated—they’re not jerks)

By the time you meet a founder, they’ve already cleared multiple filters. You’re seeing quality deal flow, not volume.

Learn Alongside Peer Operators

TFC events bring together other former founders and operators who share your investment philosophy. These relationships often become as valuable as the deal flow—co-investment opportunities, shared diligence, strategic partnerships, and genuine friendships with people who’ve walked a similar path.

Multiple Ways to Engage Beyond Investment

There’s no requirement to invest in every company you meet. You can:

Provide feedback without investing (value in itself)
Invest directly if you see strong alignment
Co-invest with other Funders from the event
Become a client – implement solutions in your own business or portfolio companies for competitive advantage
Partner strategically – help founders access your distribution relationships
Explore acquisition – evaluate founders for potential strategic acquisition
Participate in future SPVs or fund opportunities
Build relationships that lead to investment later

Your role is to provide feedback and perspective. Investment, partnership, or client relationships are optional.