Sonia
Vohnout
President & CEO at OppsSpot, LLC
"Beyond Venture Capital: Building Smart Capital Stacks That Power Go-To-Market Growth"
"Beyond Venture Capital: Building Smart Capital Stacks That Power Go-To-Market Growth"
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Session: Beyond Venture Capital: Building Smart Capital Stacks That Power Go-To-Market Growth
Access to capital is one of the most decisive factors in a startup’s success, yet many founders default to venture funding without fully understanding its long-term trade-offs. As a result, companies often dilute too early, raise capital out of sequence, or misalign funding with go-to-market realities.This session introduces a non-dilutive funding playbook as a core component of a smart capital stack — one that enables founders and leadership teams to systematically reduce technical and market risk before raising equity. Drawing on real-world experience advising technology startups across regulated and competitive markets, the talk outlines a practical framework for identifying appropriate non-dilutive funding sources, preparing for investor readiness, and sequencing capital to support disciplined go-to-market execution.
Attendees will gain a clear understanding of how non-dilutive funding can be used strategically — not as a one-off grant, but as a repeatable growth lever — to strengthen valuation, preserve control, and accelerate commercialization. The session concludes with actionable guidance leaders can apply immediately to align capital strategy with product, market entry, and long-term growth objectives.
Key Takeaways
- How to build a smart capital stack that aligns funding decisions with product maturity, risk reduction, and go-to-market execution.
- How non-dilutive funding can be used as a repeatable strategic tool — not a one-time grant — to preserve equity and strengthen investor readiness.
- How to sequence different types of capital to reduce technical and market risk before raising dilutive funding.
- How capital strategy impacts leadership control, valuation, and long-term growth — especially for women founders in STEM.
- How to shift from reactive fundraising to intentional capital planning that supports sustainable, scalable innovation.
Bio
Sonia Vohnout is the Founder and CEO of OppsSpot, LLC, bringing more than 30 years of executive leadership and systems engineering experience at the intersection of technology, innovation, and business growth. A nationally recognized expert in SBIR/STTR and other non-dilutive funding programs, she has helped startups and scaling companies secure and manage millions of dollars while preserving equity and long-term strategic control. She partners closely with founders and executive teams to translate complex technical innovation into market-ready, fundable solutions while building resilient, purpose-driven organizations. Beyond her professional work, Sonia is an active volunteer with the American Heart Association’s Circle of Red and Go Red for Women movements, a mentor with the University of Arizona’s WISE program, and a strong international advocate for FemTech, supporting the advancement of women-focused innovation and leadership worldwide.