Capital Connect Program Guidlines

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Program Guidelines & Expectations

Last updated: March 2026

Welcome to the Discovery Foundation’s Capital Connect Program. We’re glad to have you here.

This page outlines the key policies, participation expectations, and program guidelines for founders participating in Capital Connect.

Capital Connect is a pitch and funding readiness program designed to help founders strengthen their materials, thinking, and confidence through 1:1 advising and selected group learning opportunities. While the program may support stronger investor conversations, it is not an investor matching service and does not guarantee funding outcomes.

The program is delivered at no cost to participants through the support of Discovery Foundation. Sessions are limited and funded, so we ask all participants to treat the opportunity with care and professionalism.

  • Capital Connect sessions are available during the active program period, generally from May through November, or until funded advising capacity is full. Session availability depends on advisor capacity, scheduling windows, and remaining program hours. We encourage founders to book early.

    Unused sessions do not carry forward beyond the program timeline unless explicitly approved by the program team.

  • Founders are responsible for booking and managing their sessions using the scheduling links provided by advisors or the program team.

    Please review your confirmation email carefully, as it will include the meeting details, calendar invite, and applicable links. 

    Because advisor time is limited and funded through the program, booking a session means that time has been reserved specifically for you.

  • If you need to cancel or reschedule your session, please do so at least 24 hours in advance.

    While occasional last-minute changes are understandable, repeat late cancellations may affect your continued participation in the program. Missed sessions without notice, or no-shows, are generally not eligible for rescheduling. 

    Advisors will wait in the meeting room for up to 10 minutes. After that time, the session will be recorded as a no-show.

    If an emergency or technical issue prevents your attendance, please notify us as soon as possible. We understand that unexpected issues happen and will review exceptions on a case-by-case basis.

  • To help you get the most out of the program, we ask that you participate thoughtfully and take the commitment seriously. Founders are expected to: 

    • Come prepared for sessions with relevant materials, specific questions, or a clear area of focus

    • Take ownership of next steps between sessions

    • Engage respectfully with advisors, peers, and program staff at all times.

  • Participants may be asked to complete short feedback or evaluation forms. This helps us improve the experience, understand what is working, and report program impact to Discovery Foundation.

    Please take a few minutes to complete feedback when requested.

    You can share feedback here: https://form.typeform.com/to/C93P2Wm3

  • Capital Connect is designed to support founders with pitch and funding readiness. Depending on your needs, this may include work related to pitch preparation, funding strategy, investor materials, financial storytelling, or related business readiness topics.

    The program does not guarantee:

    • Funding

    • Investor introductions

    • Investment readiness certification

    • Legal, accounting, or investment advice

    Advisors may occasionally suggest connections, resources, or introductions where appropriate, but these are not guaranteed and should not be considered an expected outcome of participation.

  • We encourage founders to use sound judgment when sharing business information in any advising or peer setting.

    1:1 advising conversations are intended to be supportive and confidential. In peer sessions, participants are expected to treat what others share with respect and discretion.

    If you are unsure whether to share a specific document, financial detail, or sensitive information, use your discretion and only share what you are comfortable discussing in that setting.

  • Capital Connect advisors are here to offer constructive, experience-based guidance. Their role is to help founders think more clearly, prepare more effectively, and move forward with greater confidence.

    Advisors are expected to be punctual, prepared, and respectful. They are not expected to guarantee outcomes, make investment decisions, or act as formal representatives of investors or funders.

  • We are committed to creating a respectful, inclusive, and supportive environment for all participants.

    Harassment, discriminatory behaviour, repeated disrespect, or misuse of advisor time may result in removal from the program.

  • From time to time, we may need to make reasonable changes to scheduling, advisor assignments, session format, or delivery approach based on program needs, availability, or capacity. Where possible, we will communicate these changes clearly and in advance.

  • If you have questions about the program, your participation, or how to prepare for your sessions, please contact the Volition team at info@volitionadvisors.com 

    We’re looking forward to supporting you through Capital Connect.