Hi Friends,

I wanted to personally invite you to an event 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.

Last week, I wrote about trauma — and so many of you wrote back.

You shared your stories.
You reminded me: healing doesn’t happen alone.

After I hit send, I cried.
For the little girl who grew up too fast.
For the 20-year-old who didn’t know what she was walking into.
For my son with cerebral palsy —
who reminds me daily what resilience really looks like.

It wasn’t pretty.
But it was real.

Because some pain lives deep —
and sometimes, the bravest thing we can do is feel it.
not fix it, not frame it — just feel it.
That’s how it starts to loosen its grip.

This week, I’m okay.
Not because everything is perfect — but because I remembered:

I’m not my past.
I’m not the pain.
I’m what came after.

I stood back up — slower, clearer.
And I decided: I’m done shrinking.
Done waiting to be chosen.
Done second-guessing what I know in my bones.

Because I didn’t survive all this
to settle for confusion or almosts —
not in work, not in relationships, not in my own life.

So if you’re in that in-between —
still hurting, still building —
I see you.

You are not your past.
You are what came after.

So, hold your head high.
You didn’t walk through fire to apologize for your light.
You didn’t rise from the wreckage to play small now.

You’ve carried the weight long enough.
You’ve earned your light.
This is your time to rise, to take up space,
to live like you’re no longer afraid of your own voice.

You are not defined by what hurt you.
You are shaped by how you came back stronger.

And your story?
It’s just getting started.

Lead. Live. Shine.
Not someday.
Now.

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

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

Tired of marketing that feels like busywork? This talk cuts through the noise to show founders how to use AI and smart strategy to drive real growth.

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

Wednesday, July 9 - 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM​

​​We’re hosting an exclusive breakfast at FOCUS Innovation Studio, co-hosted by Mariane Bekker and Kristopher Floyd from Founders Bay.

​​This event is designed for top investors founders to explore how AI can drive B2B innovation and growth. Over a curated breakfast, engage in meaningful discussions, gain actionable insights, and network with fellow founders & executives shaping the future of B2B AI.

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

Wednesday, July 9 - 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM

​Join us for a workshop designed to help early-stage founders avoid common pitfalls and learn how to navigate the challenges of building a startup. This session will focus on the top five mistakes founders often make and provide practical solutions to overcome them. Whether you're just starting out or looking to refine your approach, this workshop will give you valuable insights to ensure your startup’s success.

Thursday, July 10 - 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM

​The relationship we have to our business can bring up a lot of the same patterns as our romantic relationships - and how we handle it all determines our success. Dr. Jessica is both a tech founder herself and a relationship coach. Here, we will look at the unconscious patterns that play out in your relationships. Stop sabotaging your success and use a simple, time-tested framework to reveal your relational blind spots and walk yourself back to a centered, grounded, wise self.

Tuesday, July 10 - 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.

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.