This year's Fundamentals for Startups series is proudly presented by Curinos. Elevators and doors open at 11:30 AM and will close promptly at 12:10 PM.

About the Lecture:

Jon Prentice from Silicon Valley Bank will share key takeaways from SVB's State of the Markets report, with a focus on how AI is reshaping venture capital investment. He'll unpack the growing phenomenon of "AI washing"—where companies market themselves as AI-driven without substantive AI technology—and discuss how investors are becoming sharper at distinguishing genuine AI innovators from the hype, rewarding them accordingly. The session will offer founders practical insight into what truly sets apart investable AI companies in today's market.

Speaker:Jon Prentice is a Senior Vice President at Silicon Valley Bank, where he works with venture capital and private equity-backed companies across the Pacific Northwest, with a focus on climate tech, agtech, industrial automation/robotics, fintech/real estate tech, and eCommerce/consumer. Before joining SVB in 2022, he spent eight years at Lighter Capital providing financing to nearly 200 software startups across the U.S., Canada, and Australia, and previously worked in corporate venture at Siemens, investing in energy and cleantech startups. Jon holds an MBA from the University of Washington's Foster School of Business and a bachelor's degree from the University of Puget Sound. A Seattle-area native, he lives in Ballard with his wife, two young children, and retired search and rescue dog.

About Fundamentals for Startups:Fundamentals for Startups is a weekly one-hour lecture series featuring notable experts who share startup-related information, experience, and insights with our entrepreneurial community. From raising capital to scaling to exit strategies, these seasoned guest speakers deliver valuable content designed to help startups and entrepreneurs thrive. These lectures are open to the public and you do not have to be currently affiliated with the UW or a startup to join. Lunch is provided while supplies last. Advanced registration required. Please note, we are no longer livestreaming these sessions.

Elevators and doors open at 11:30 AM and will close promptly at 12:10 PM. Don't be late!We hope you can join us!