LaunchVT hosts Angel Investment Masterclass with FreshTracks Capital

BURLINGTON, VT (September 28, 2026) – LaunchVT, a division of the Lake Champlain Chamber, will host an Angel Investment Masterclass in partnership with FreshTracks Capital on Wednesday, October 14 at 3 p.m. at Hula in Burlington.

A LaunchVT alumnus will pitch their company to an investor panel from FreshTracks Capital: partners Cairn Cross and TJ Whalen. The panelists will conduct a live deal analysis in front of the audience, walking through how they evaluate a pitch, what questions they ask and why, and how they think about risk and opportunity in real time. The session will close with time for audience questions.

The masterclass is designed for people who are interested in angel investing but haven’t yet made their first investment, or who want a clearer view of how experienced investors make decisions. Its broader goal is to increase the early-stage capital available to Vermont entrepreneurs.

“You can read every checklist out there on how to evaluate a startup, but actually doing the work is very different”, said LaunchVT Director Noragh Devlin. “That’s the idea behind this masterclass: show, don’t tell. The audience gets to see Cairn and TJ work through a real pitch, hear the questions they ask, and understand why they ask them. We want more Vermonters to feel ready to make that first investment, because more angel investors means a more dynamic entrepreneurial ecosystem.”

“Early-stage investment is one of the essential ingredients of a strong startup community,” said Lake Champlain Chamber President and CEO Cathy Davis. “When Vermonters invest in Vermont companies, they’re helping create jobs and innovation right here at home. This masterclass is an invitation for more of our community to take part.”

The company pitching is a LaunchVT 2025 alumnus:

Tuktu – Rustam Sengupta. Tuktu is a new platform that helps Vermonters access resources for caring for loved ones who need home-based services.

This event is free, but spots are limited. To register, visit lccvermont.org.

LaunchVT is made possible thanks to a robust network of partners, including sponsors, business coaches, and the many others who champion our startup community.