Hi Friends,

I wanted to personally invite you to an event happening next week:

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

But before I share more about these events… I want to tell you what’s been on my heart this week.

This week, I was in Nashville recording a podcast.
On Monday, I wandered into a live music bar alone — no pitch, no plan, no performance.
Just me, a plate of hot chicken, and a quiet ache I couldn’t quite shake.

I thought I had healed.
I’ve journaled. I’ve led teams. I’ve launched big things.
I’ve spoken on panels about resilience — while still carrying pain that never fully left.

Because trauma doesn’t care how far you’ve come.
Especially when it came from the people who were supposed to love you the most.
When the ones who should have made you feel safe were the ones who made you feel small.
It leaves you wondering who to trust — including yourself.

And sometimes, it comes back in the stillness, long after you thought you’d moved on.

Have you ever felt that?
Like you’ve built a beautiful life —
but part of you still flinches in places no one can see?

This week, I let myself feel it.
And I didn’t try to handle it alone.

Eva, Rashmi, Amanda — and R, K, M — you know who you are.
Thank you for reminding me I don’t have to carry it all alone.
For the calls, the space, the humor, and the kindness. That meant everything.

I don’t have a big takeaway this week.
Just this: some weeks, being here is enough.

There are a lot of us —
Founders. Creators. Parents. Builders.
People leading and holding it together,
while quietly carrying more than we show.

If that’s you — you’re not alone.

Hit reply if you need to.
I might not respond to every message,
but I read them all.

You don’t have to be fully healed to lead.
You don’t have to be okay to be good.

Some days, making it through is brave enough.

🌺 Need a summer escape with high-speed WiFi and ocean views?

This private luxury villa in Kona (Big Island, Hawaii) is available for monthly rental. It’s the perfect work-from-paradise spot—quiet, scenic, and fully equipped for remote living.

👉 Book directly here or reply if you're interested.

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

Friday, June 20 - 10:00 AM - 1:00 PM

​Enjoy coffee, a delicious brunch, and great conversations with others who are working on AI products or exploring new opportunities. Whether you’re just starting or already scaling your AI company, you’ll find a welcoming space here.

Saturday, June 21 - 5:30 PM - 9:00 PM

Venn, SF Social Club and AndrewToursSF are bringing a little country to the city — and you're invited aboard! (21+ only)

​To start off the summer (summer solstice), we're inviting 400 of SF's most vibrant on a luxury yacht cruise around the San Francisco Bay at golden hour. You'll have access to stunning views, country line & swing dancing lessons, team roping challenge, on-deck DJs, and most of all, an evening to remember with the best people/community.

Tuesday, June 24 - 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM

Technological innovation—particularly in robotics—is transforming industries at an unprecedented rate. Staying ahead of these changes isn't just advantageous; it's critical for your future relevance and success.

​At the FUTURECRAFT 2035 Robotics Showcase, we're making cutting-edge strategic foresight accessible to everyone. Strategic foresight is a structured approach to exploring future scenarios, identifying emerging trends, and preparing proactively for disruption.

If you’d like to sponsor food and drink, hit reply

Wednesday, June 26 – 9:00 AM Pacific Time

Join this complimentary live webinar and learn key trends redefining life science and healthcare marketing, including the role of AI agents and maturing your AI workflows. Discover actionable strategies—from data-driven planning and AI agents to omnichannel outreach and compliant digital innovation.

Register Here

Wednesday, June 25 - 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM

​Join us for an insightful workshop on how to transform your Go-To-Market (GTM) strategy with the latest tech innovations. This session will explore emerging tools and technologies that can help optimize your GTM efforts, improve efficiency, and drive growth. Learn how the evolving landscape of GTM tech is reshaping marketing, sales, and customer success strategies for modern businesses.

Thursday June 26 - 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM

​AI is changing the way businesses grow, compete, and operate. In this beginner-friendly workshop, you’ll learn how to use AI tools and strategies to make your business more efficient, more innovative, and better prepared for the future. Whether you're a startup founder, small business owner, or team leader, this session will give you the confidence to take the first steps toward using AI in smart, practical ways.

Thursday, June 26 - 5:00 PM - 7:00 PM

Thinking about applying to Y Combinator? This 2-hour live session could give you the edge.

​Join YC Founders for a hands-on workshop breaking down what it really takes to stand out in the YC application process and pitch with confidence under pressure.

Thursday, June 26 - 5:30 PM - 8:00 PM

​Join us for the Deep Tech Pitch Competition hosted by Mariane Bekker from Founders Bay, where the boldest startups in science and technology share their groundbreaking ideas. This event brings together entrepreneurs, investors, and industry experts to explore the future of deep tech—think AI, robotics, biotech, space tech, and other world-changing innovations.

If you’d like to sponsor food and drink, hit reply

Friday, June 27 - Saturday, June 28

Excited to be an official partner of the AI for Good Summit + Demo Day, June 27–28 held at Stanford University. Join 800+ AI startup founders, investors, engineers, and innovation leaders for two days of keynotes, panels, startup pitches, and networking on campus.

🎯 60+ startups showcasing world-changing AI solutions over 2 days
🎯 300+ investment firms invited from top VC firms and emerging funds
🚀 Industry leaders from NVIDIA, Stanford, Visa, Google, and more are sharing insights. 🤝 Exclusive networking opportunities with innovators, founders, and visionaries.
📍 2-day immersive experience on Stanford campus

🎟️ Get your ticket now: https://lu.ma/mfhjupbv • Early Bird 2-Day Pass: $99 (until June 16, 11:59 PM PT)

💥 Use code FOUNDERSBAY25 at checkout for an extra 25% off 🔗 Register here: https://lu.ma/mfhjupbv

Wednesday, July 2 - 5:00 PM - 8:00 PM​

​Join us for a laid-back evening of networking, drinks, and great conversations! Whether you're a startup founder looking for funding, a VC seeking the next big idea, or just someone passionate about innovation, this event is for you.

If you’d like to sponsor food and drink, hit reply

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.