Hi Friends,

I wanted to personally invite you to a few events & workshops this week and next:

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

Let’s be honest —

This startup space doesn’t make much room for the inner world.
We celebrate hustle. Grit. Velocity.
But rarely do we ask how people are really doing — until they burn out or break down.

The truth?

If you’re not okay inside, your team feels it.
Your co-founders feel it.
Your investors feel it — whether or not you say the words out loud.

And lately, I’ve been reminded of that.

The past few months have been incredible — full of momentum, connection, and growth.
But in the background, something unexpected caught up with me.
Some old grief resurfaced —triggered by something as simple as returning to a restaurant I hadn’t been to since the divorce.
It reminded me how emotional memory can surprise us, even when everything else is moving forward

It’s not glamorous.
There’s no demo day for healing.
But it’s real.

And sometimes, that process catches up with you in ways you don’t expect — a slower reply, a missed signal, a moment of emotional static between otherwise meaningful progress.

Last week, I felt it hard.
I wasn’t as present as I wanted to be.
I was processing more than I could express.

But I’m learning not to shame myself for the off moments.

Instead — I’m treating them like information.
A signal to pause, recalibrate, and come back stronger.

So if you’ve felt a little “off” too — in your team, your vision, your life — know this:

🖤 You’re not alone
🖤 You’re not broken
🖤 You don’t have to be perfect to be powerful

Founders are human.
And our nervous systems are just as important as our GTM strategy.

Thanks to everyone who showed me grace this week.
I’m back in sync. Grateful. And ready for what’s next.

Let’s build — with depth, not just speed.

— Mariane

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

Tuesday, July 10 - 7:00 PM - 11:00 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.

Tuesday, July 22 - 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.

Wednesday, July 23 - 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM

​Join us for a hands-on workshop focused on using sales reporting to measure performance and make data-driven decisions. This session will teach you how to analyze key sales metrics, identify areas for improvement, and optimize your sales strategies. Whether you're a founder or sales leader, you'll gain practical insights into building and interpreting sales reports to drive success.

Friday, July 25 - 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM

​Join us for this practical virtual workshop designed to help early-stage founders build strong marketing strategies. We’ll introduce the BASE3 Model, a simple and effective framework to help you focus on what matters most when reaching your target customers.

Friday, July 25 - 5:00 PM - 8:00 PM​

Join us for an insightful evening at the AI Talk Series: AI in Healthcare Panel & Networking, where we explore the cutting edge of artificial intelligence in medicine. From early diagnostics to personalized treatment plans, AI is reshaping how care is delivered—and this panel brings together leaders at the forefront of that transformation. The event is co-hosted by Mariane Bekker and Kristopher Floyd from Founders Bay, who are passionate about driving thoughtful conversations around innovation and impact.

Tuesday, July 29 - 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM

With a background as an investor, engineer, and community leader, I provide personalized support to help startups grow—offering guidance on fundraising, tech development, team building, co-founder matching, hiring top talent, and personal branding to position you for long-term success.

Tuesday, August 5 - 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM

​Building a startup often means making big technical decisions with limited resources—so what if you could get expert input from a seasoned CTO? In this special session of Founders Bay Expert Office Hours, Mike Biglan, CEO and Founder of Twenty Ideas, brings over 20 years of product development and technical leadership experience to help early-stage founders make smart, scalable tech choices.

Wednesday, August 6 - 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.

Thursday, August 7 - 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM

​With 30 years of experience performing and speaking on stage—plus a background in corporate training and leadership development—Clarisse helps founders move through nerves and deliver pitches that actually land.

Friday, August 8 - 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.

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.