Opening the Black Box: Research, Target & Plan for Private Company Boards
Tuesday September 15, 10:00 AM - 10:50 AM PT / 1:00 PM - 1:50 PM ET
 
Gain Ground Track Leaders: Cathy Skala, Jean Nycz, Jenny Kay Pollock
 
Private company boards can feel opaque compared to public company governance, yet they offer meaningful opportunities for aspiring and experienced directors. This session demystifies how private companies are structured, who influences board composition, and how to research them effectively. Participants will explore common governance inflection points, such as Series B or C funding, revenue scale thresholds, institutional capital entry, and founder leadership transitions. Attendees will learn how to use platforms such as CB Insights, PitchBook, and Crunchbase, along with lower-cost tools and relationship strategies, to identify board-ready companies and position themselves strategically.