Join us for an exclusive fundraising workshop hosted by Silicon Valley Bank, where we’ll be sitting down with two of the Pacific Northwest’s best for an inside look at what it actually takes to raise in today’s market.
This event will feature two speakers: Tim Porter from Madrona and David Shim from Read AI, moderated by Ben Parish from SVB. They will provide invaluable insights into the world of startup investments and AI-driven productivity solutions. Whether you’re actively raising funds or just starting to consider it, this conversation is designed to give you an edge.Â
During the workshop, we will discuss:
• The transformation and rise of Read AI in the productivity AI space, attracting 40,000+ new users daily and securing a $50M Series B round.
• Tim Porter’s investment focus areas, including intelligent applications, SaaS, cloud-native software infrastructure and more.
• Reveal what the founder-funder relationship actually looks like, what moves investors right now, how to structure and time your raise, and the hard-won lessons from both sides of the funding trail.
• Effective strategies for navigating the funding landscape and securing investment opportunities.
This workshop will be hosted live in Seattle and virtually via Zoom.
If your plans have changed and you can no longer attend the in-person event - please email Georgia Hill so we can offer your seat up to someone on the waitlist.
Silicon Valley Bank, a division of First-Citizens Bank & Trust Company, as well as the other divisions, subsidiaries, and affiliates of First-Citizens Bank & Trust Company (together, SVB), are U.S. financial institutions and provide products and services to non-U.S. clients on a cross-border basis from the United States of America. SVB is not licensed or regulated as a bank or any other type of financial institution outside of the United States of America. Please review our International Disclosures for more information.
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© 2026 First-Citizens Bank & Trust Company. All rights reserved. Silicon Valley Bank, a division of First-Citizens Bank & Trust Company.Â
David Shim is the Cofounder and CEO of Read AI, a Seattle-based productivity AI company that has become one of the fastest-growing startups in the future-of-work space, attracting over 25,000 new users daily, closing a $50M Series B, and earning David recognition as GeekWire’s 2025 CEO of the Year . A serial entrepreneur and University of Washington alum, David previously founded Placed (acquired by Snap) and led Foursquare as CEO, establishing him as a tenured leader who has navigated the funding trail multiple times.
Tim joined Madrona in 2006 and invests in B2B software companies in the Pacific Northwest. He is currently interested in intelligent applications and SaaS, cloud-native software infrastructure, the modern data stack, machine learning, DevOps, and cybersecurity. He is also a board member of numerous Madrona portfolio companies.
Before joining Madrona, Tim was a key member of Microsoft’s corporate development group, where he shared responsibilities for sourcing, structuring, and negotiating Microsoft’s acquisitions, strategic investments, and joint ventures. While at Microsoft, Tim focused on enterprise software, security, and mobile. He closed 14 transactions for over $850 million. Notable transactions included Microsoft’s acquisitions of Softricity, FrontBridge Technologies, ProClarity, Whale Communications, and Giant Company Software. Earlier in his career, Tim worked nearly five years for broadband satellite startup Teledesic, spending his last year there also working for Craig McCaw’s Eagle River Investments.
Outside of work, Tim enjoys spending time with his wife and two children. He loves sports and the outdoors, particularly basketball, running, mountain biking, snowboarding, fishing, golf, and tennis.
I help founders connect with the resources, mentors, and peers they need to build a strong company.
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My career has centered on supporting entrepreneurs at every stage of the founder journey. At UBS, I worked with later-stage founders navigating the alignment of business and personal goals, with a strong alignment to get them prepared for conversations investment banks and M&A firms. At GRAYBOX, our great team of technologists supported companies ranging from early-stage startups to global brands such as Herman Miller, Boeing, and Nestlé. In 2022, I co-founded Upstart Collective, which has helped nearly 200 startups navigate their early journey through community, mentorship, and access to resources.
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Across nearly a decade of work, my focus has been consistent: championing the individuals brave enough to bring new ideas into the world and build teams around them.
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My role at SVB is a natural alignment of that passion - turning startup community building into a career. If you support founders, or if you’re a founder facing a challenge, feel free to reach out. I’m here to help.
