Hi,

I wanted to personally invite you to a few of our upcoming events & workshops:

✓ Private WhatsApp Founder & VC Channel
✓ Free Access to All our Events Below for Free
✓ Monthly Investor Breakfasts and Dinners
✓ Weekly Expert Office Hours including with Mariane Bekker, Kristopher Floyd, Legal and CTO

This year, I’m heading to Burning Man for the very first time with Titanics End — and I can’t stop smiling as I prepare. Beyond the neon tutu and the pink boots, what I’m really packing isn’t gear. It’s an intention.

For most of my life, I lived inside stories written by others.
Stories that told me to be quiet.
To play small.
To sacrifice myself in order to be enough.

I followed them because I thought that was the only way to belong.
But those stories were never mine.

In my marriage, the same script played out.
I stayed small to keep the peace.
I defined myself by someone else’s needs.
I lived inside a box built by culture, family, and duty — a box that kept me from being me.

But Burning Man is a place where boxes don’t exist. And that’s why it feels so powerful. It’s a world built on principles that call us back to our truest selves:

✨ Radical self-expression instead of modesty.
✨ Radical inclusion instead of judgment.
✨ Participation instead of passivity.
✨ Creation from nothing instead of following the script.

And that’s my intention this year:

✨ I let go of the woman defined by someone else’s story. I step into my own. ✨

This Burn is my goodbye to the old scripts — and my hello to who I am becoming.

A creator.
A writer.
A lover.
A mother.

And I carry with me a new understanding: that love, at its best, is healthy — expansive, playful, and healing. The kind of love that makes you lighter, freer, and more yourself.

As founders and investors, we know what it means to burn things down to build something better. To take risks. To rewrite the story.

For me, Burning Man isn’t just art and music. It’s a reminder that reinvention — on the deepest level — is the greatest act of creation.

See you in the dust. ✨🔥

Thank you David Carvalho for making this bucket-list dream a reality, and Chris DN for inviting us into Titanic’s End.

If we’re not already connected, I’d love to hear from you — please follow me on LinkedIn and Instagram. Let’s connect!

My New Podcast is out on how we grew Founders Bay to 80,000. Listen Below!!

🚀 Great News!
We’ve already closed over $100K into our new Vantage Robotics SPV — and commitments are still open!

This is your chance to invest alongside the Founders Bay Venture Club into a Silicon Valley–based leader in small-drone technology, with customers ranging from the FBI and U.S. Armed Forces to CNN and major utilities.

✅ Minimum check: $5K
⏳ Deadline: This Friday

👉 Commit here

Don’t miss your chance to join this round before it closes.

Want us to sponsor an event or partner together? Contact us here

Friday, August 22 - 9:30 AM - 8:00 PM

​Get ready for an exciting day of learning, hacking, networking, and innovation! This event is all about exploring the potential of AI and creating impactful solutions alongside fellow developers.

​This is your chance to dive deep into the world of AI agents, connect with a vibrant developer community, and build something extraordinary. Whether you’re an experienced hacker or just curious about AI, this event is designed for everyone.

Wednesday, August 20 - 5:00 PM - 8:00 PM

​Founders Bay: Women Pitch Practice is a friendly and supportive space for women founders to practice their startup pitches, receive helpful feedback, and grow their confidence —hosted by Mariane Bekker from Founders Bay, Jeni Chang from Founder Institute and Natalie Pan from Funding Breakthrough Lab (accepting Aug cohort applications). Whether you're getting ready for a pitch competition, investor meeting, or just want to improve how you talk about your business — this session is for you.

Wednesday, August 20 - 5:00 PM - 10:00 PM

​We're kicking off the Step San Francisco with a fun and relaxed opening party hosted by Founders Bay. Join fellow founders, investors, and tech leaders for an evening of good conversation, music, and energy as we celebrate the start of an exciting week. 🎶💬

August 20 until August 21 - 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM

Join us for cutting-edge talks, networking, and exclusive savings.

We’re excited to announce our partnership with Step San Francisco 2025 - where the world’s most ambitious founders, investors, and tech leaders come together in the heart of Silicon Valley.

This is your invitation to join us on 20-21 August for a two-day high-energy tech festival spotlighting the latest in AI, deep tech, GenAI, and global scaling. Expect inspiring talks, hands-on sessions, and unbeatable networking opportunities.

We’re thrilled to offer you an exclusive 20% discount on tickets! Just use the code FOUNDERSBAY at checkout.

✨ Big one coming up! ✨

With our sister company SFVibe, we booked the DJs for STEP at The Midway — and we’re bringing the Titanic’s End DJ Crew to light up the night. 🎶🔥

This one’s special — David Carvalho, Chris DN, and I pulled together the live music plan, and we can’t wait to share this evening with you.

If you’re looking to bring world-class DJs and unforgettable vibes to your event — hit us up by emailing [email protected]. We’ve got you →

Thursday, August 28 - 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM

​​Founders Bay Expert Office Hours: 2-Hour Block Legal Advice is a chance for startup founders to get direct legal guidance from an experienced professional. Led by Jessica North (Jorrie), Partner at Perkins Coie LLP, this session is perfect for founders seeking clarity on legal matters. Jessica specializes in advising emerging companies, venture capital funds, and private equity investors, making her a valuable resource for startups at any stage.

Friday, August 29 - 3:00 PM - 4:00 PM

​Stephen will walk founders through the financial, legal, and strategic groundwork needed for a successful raise. From understanding your company’s valuation to setting up a clean cap table, you'll gain practical advice that helps you avoid common mistakes and speak the language investors expect. You'll also hear real-world insights from Stephen’s experience advising early-stage startups.

Wednesday, September 3 - 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM

​Raising money isn’t just about numbers—it’s about YOU. In this fast-paced workshop, Bruna Grace, founder of Awaken Marketing Digital, reveals how a strong personal brand can open doors, win investor trust, and take your startup from seed to Series A.

Thursday, September 4 - 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM

​Our speakers, Jessica North and Jason Schneiderman from Perkins Coie LLP, are experienced startup lawyers who have helped many founders launch and grow their companies. They will share real-world insights on common challenges, legal steps, and smart fundraising strategies. 💡

Friday, September 19 - 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM

​We’re excited to welcome Ellisha Blechynden, Principal Attorney at Blechynden Legal, as our featured speaker. Ellisha advises early-stage startups and investors on venture financings and deal structuring, and she’ll share actionable insights to help founders approach negotiations strategically.

Friday, September 26 - 3:00 PM - 4:00 PM

​The Founders Bay Virtual Workshop will focus on why having a strong financial system is key to business success in 2026. It will help business owners and startup founders understand how tracking money, planning budgets, and managing cash flow can make or break a company. The session will show how good financial systems can help you grow faster and avoid big problems.

Sept 12–14, 2025

At the AI Developer Camp, hundreds of engineers, designers and entrepreneurs will gather to explore the frontiers of machine learning with the Gray Whale Ai platform. During our 48-hour idea competition, attendees will learn about the latest advancements in machine learning from the world's foremost experts in the field.

Hi! I'm Mariane Bekker, an investor and a tech executive with over a decade of experience building high-performing engineering teams at leading startups such as New Relic and Mindbody. I've led engineering through 5 acquisitions and 1 IPO. 

I’m the founder of Founders bay and Women Founders bay, connecting founders with expert guidance, events and funding opportunities in the Bay Area.