LIVE WEBINAR — November 19, 2025 | Limited Seats |
LIVE WEBINAR — November 19, 2025 | Limited Seats |
The Inside Track to Fundraising
Lessons from 200+ Pitches & Company Evaluations
Date: Wednesday, November 19, 2025
Time: 12:00 – 1:00 pm PST/ 3:00- 4:00pm EST
Format: Live Online Webinar (recorded for registrants)
Cost: Free (limited seats available)
Moderated by Leah Villegas, Co-Founder of Aquillius
Interview with Jeff Berman, Co-Founder & Managing Partner, Big Tree Innovation Fund
Summary:
Join us as we sit down with seasoned investor and healthcare leader Jeff Berman for a candid, data-driven look at how investors really evaluate founders — and what separates the startups that get funded from those that don’t.
After reviewing 200+ company pitches & evaluations, Jeff has seen every version of the “next big thing.” Now he’s sharing what works, what fails, and how founders can build their fundraising advantage in one of the toughest capital markets in years.
Moderated by Leah Villegas, Co-Founder of Aquillius, this live discussion will uncover the investor mindset, highlight key founder blind spots, and preview how Big Tree’s new Start Up Academy helps founders close those critical gaps.
Space is limited for this high-energy, insider conversation.
Don’t miss your chance to hear how top investors think — and learn how to create your founder advantage heading into 2026
Speakers
JEFF BERMAN
Co-Founder & Managing Partner, Big Tree Innovation Fund
With a 35-year career spanning healthcare, life sciences, and digital innovation, Jeff Berman brings rare depth as both investor and operator with track record of $1.5B in returns for top tier health systems, Fortune 100 Life Science companies and innovators.
Co-Founder & Managing Partner, Big Tree Innovation Fund — investing in, mentoring, Healthcare & Life Science start-ups across the U.S.
Former Managing Partner, Grant Thornton National Healthcare & Life Sciences Business
Former VP & Partner at IBM and PwC, building & managing large-scale businesses and leading global transformation programs for Fortune 100 Healthcare & Life Science clients.
Entrepreneur & Exit Leader — founded and scaled a SaaS cloud platform acquired through M&A.
When it comes to evaluating founders and building fundable companies, Jeff has seen what truly moves investors — and what doesn’t.
LEAH VILLEGAS, PHD
Managing Partner, Aquillius Ventures
As the Managing Partner at Aquillius Ventures, I oversee the investment strategy, portfolio management, and deal sourcing of a leading VC firm that focuses on early-stage startups in the biotech, medtech and agtech sectors. I also serve as the Vice President at the Aquillius Innovation Hub, where I manage the operations, financial planning, and business development of the firm. Additionally, I am a board member of Microtek, Inc., a microelectronic manufacturing company that provides innovative solutions for the medtech industry. I hold an MBA in Finance from the University of Colorado Denver and a certificate from VC University, where I learned the latest trends and best practices in the VC field. I am proficient in investment analysis, data analysis, and SWOT analysis, and I have a passion for finding and supporting disruptive and scalable businesses that can make a positive impact on the world. I value collaboration, diversity, innovation, and social responsibility, and I seek to work with like-minded entrepreneurs, investors, and partners.