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

When I moved to San Francisco in 2010, I was a young software engineer chasing opportunity (and, secretly, escaping Montreal winters 🥶).

SF was still recovering from the 2008 recession. It felt scrappy, uncertain — but alive with possibility. And I knew something big was coming.

And it did.

The next decade was a boom unlike anything the world had seen. Startups didn’t just grow, they transformed entire industries:
🚗 Uber changed how we move.
🏠 Airbnb changed how we travel.
💳 Stripe changed how we pay.
📱 Instagram and WhatsApp changed how we connect.

And in the middle of it, my own career grew with the city. In just six years, I went from an intern to a Director of Engineering. That’s the magic of San Francisco — it doesn’t just create companies, it transforms people.

San Francisco became the epicenter of global innovation. The energy was electric — you could feel it in coffee shops, co-working spaces, and late-night hackathons.

Then came COVID.

I left my engineering career, went through a divorce, started a company, and then built this community. My personal reinvention mirrored the city’s.

For a while, it felt like San Francisco and my heart had gone dark. But this city and my passion didnd’t die. It reinvents.

And today, we’re living through another rebirth. AI and robotics are igniting a new wave of innovation, right here in San Francisco.

Just like Uber and Airbnb once did, new companies are reshaping the world from this city:
🤖 OpenAI put intelligence into machines.
🧠 Anthropic is pushing safer, aligned AI.
📊 Scale AI is powering the data behind the models.
🦾 Feather AI and REK are building the humanoids that will walk beside us.

This is the next boom—and it’s already here.
At GigaParty 3: Robot Kombat, we’re bringing it to life—showcasing AI, frontier tech, and the humanoids that are shaping our future.

On Friday, September 26th, at Temple Nightclub, San Francisco takes center stage again with a world premiere:

⚡️ The first-ever VR-controlled humanoid robot fight — Twitch founder Justin Kan vs. UFC fighter Hyder Amil.
✨ Frontier Tech Expo — hands-on demos from startups redefining what’s possible.
✨ Panels + Pitches — founders and investors mapping the future together.
✨ Music + Afterparty — 16 DJs across four floors, rooftop silent disco, and Titanic’s End closing out the night.

I love this city. I’ve seen it rise, fall, and rise again. And every time, San Francisco proves the same truth: nothing here is wasted. Every cycle plants the seeds for the next.

The last wave gave us Uber, Airbnb, Stripe, and Instagram.
This one will give us OpenAI, Anthropic, Scale AI, Feather AI, and humanoids.

🎟 Tickets are live now. Early Bird ends tomorrow at midnight.
👉 Get your ticket now

Friday, Sept 26 | Temple Nightclub, San Francisco
Doors 5:30 PM | Robot Fight 9:00 PM | Afterparty til 2 AM

🔥 San Francisco is reinventing itself. So am I. And together, we get to be part of what comes next.

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

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

Friday, September 26 - 6:00 PM - 2:00 AM

If you’d like to sponsor, pitch your startup or speak at the conference, reply to this email!

​🚨 History is being written in San Francisco!

​On Friday, Sept 26th, Temple SF transforms into a living sci-fi film set: four floors of AI + robotics demos, frontier-tech panels, and multiple dance floors powered by 16 DJs, headlined by Titanics End.

​But that’s just the buildup...

​🔥 The WORLD'S FIRST VR-Controlled Humanoid Robot Fight 🤖🥊

For the first time ever, two humans step into VR rigs to control real combat robots in a live arena. Twitch founder Justin Kan will face off against UFC fighter Hyder Amil.

​Gamer vs UC fighter. Silicon Valley vs the Octagon. Two humans. Two machines. One winner! 🤯

September 13 - 9AM - 6:30PM

AI isn’t just the future—it’s now.
Join a community of mission-driven developers, designers, and dreamers for a one-day build sprint to prototype autonomous AI agents that solve real problems—from devops and debugging to health, productivity, and human connection.

This hackathon is built around the Trae ecosystem, with Trae, TestSprite, and CoreSpeed leading the future of AI-powered coding, testing, and performance.

September 13th 1:30PM - 3PM

Our latest virtual event in the Successful Inventing series, which covers different aspects of the invention process, will focus on marketing plans and presentations.

Join this session to learn:

September 17-18, 2025 @ 8:00 AM

The AI Conference is a unique vendor-neutral event brought to you by the creators of MLconf and Ben Lorica, former Program Chair of The O’Reilly Artificial Intelligence Conference, the Strata Data Conference, and TensorFlow World. We’re focused on building a beacon of knowledge, innovation, and community to help shape the rapidly evolving field of AI technology.

Whether you’re a researcher, engineer or entrepreneur, you’ll find opportunities to learn, collaborate, and network with some of the brightest minds in AI. Topics will span a wide range of AI fields, including AGI, Foundation Models and Large Language Models, Generative AI, Neural Architectures, AI Infrastructure, AI Use Cases, Ethics and Alignment, Data Management tools for AI, AI Startups and Investment and much more.

Thursday, September 18 - 6:00 PM - 10:00 PM

​Join us right after The AI Conference for an evening of connection, conversation, and celebration. We’re bringing together founders, investors, builders, and AI enthusiasts for a relaxed but high-energy gathering where the ideas don’t stop when the conference ends.

Our very own resident DJ David Carvalho will be spinning amazing music!

September 18 at 1:00 PM until September 19 at 8:30 PM

Use discount code FBAY20 for 20% off

Two days. One iconic roof.
We’re gathering builders, visionaries and funders at the edge of what’s next.

On September 18–19, Frontier Tech Forum convenes at the iconic Hero City at Draper University in San Mateo - a two-day program at the edge of possibility in the heart of Silicon Valley. This is where Innovation Pioneers in AI, AGI, Robotics, Deep Tech, and Blockchain converge. Boundaries are being redefined through visionary keynotes, sharp technical breakouts, and fast-moving panels that put builders and innovators at the center. If you’re ready to step beyond the hype and into the conversations shaping the future, this is where you belong.

Saturday, September 13 - 10:30 AM - 12:00 PM

The next Successful Inventing virtual event will focus on creating strong marketing plans and presentations. Participants will learn why marketing plans are effective and how to define purpose, competitive advantages, target audiences, and projections. The session will also cover assessing team strengths and weaknesses to support success. Both short-term and long-term planning strategies will be explored in depth. Finally, attendees will gain insights into marketing approaches for B2B, B2C, and online platforms.

Wednesday, September 17 - 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM

​Scott Hanning will share practical tools and lessons from his experience guiding organizations through change. He’ll show how internal communications can create clarity, build trust, and keep teams aligned—even during busy or uncertain times.

Thursday, September 18 - 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM

​Being a founder comes with big dreams and big responsibilities—but it can also bring stress, overwhelm, and burnout. In this interactive workshop, Sustainable Success: How Founders Can Thrive Without Burning Out, Allison Tibbs from Nourished Life Coaching & Consulting, will guide you through strategies to take care of both your business and your wellbeing.

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.

Wednesday, September 24 - 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM

​In today’s AI-driven world, the challenge isn’t just building powerful chatbots—it’s building trustworthy ones. This interactive workshop shows you how to create a secure, recruiting-focused chatbot on Google Cloud that engages candidates while safeguarding sensitive HR data.

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.

Thursday, October 2 - 10:00 AM - 12:30 PM

​This private breakfast brings together top B2B founders, investors, and enterprise leaders for a curated morning of meaningful conversations, actionable insights, and a chef-prepared meal. We’ll dive into how AI is reshaping enterprise productivity, reimagining GTM motions, and what investors see as the next wave of scalable opportunities.

We’re looking for a speaker for this event—just reply to this email if you’re interested!

Friday, October 3 - 3:00 PM – 4:00 PM

​This webinar is based on four cases from my personal experience. Why do some startups fail to fulfill their potential despite having a great idea, a strong market, a capable team, and many other preconditions to become a big thing? I will openly share painful lessons and my views on why some of the promising ventures I was part of never transformed into something extraordinary. Better do your own mistakes than repeat mine.

Monday, October 6 - 5:30 PM – 8:00 PM

Get ready for a night where the future takes the stage! Founders Bay Deep Tech & AI Pitch Night is your front-row ticket to the boldest breakthroughs in artificial intelligence, robotics, and frontier tech. Watch visionary founders battle the clock as they pitch game-changing ideas to a panel of expert judges and a crowd hungry for innovation.

We’re looking for a judge for this event—reply to this email if you’re interested!

Tuesday, October 7 - 4:00 PM – 8:00 PM

Join us for an evening of learning and connection as we explore the future of robotics. A panel of experts will share their views on how robots are changing the way we work, live, and solve problems. From factories to healthcare to everyday life, robotics is shaping the world around us.

We’re looking for a speaker for this event—just reply to this email if you’re interested!

Thursday, October 9 - 6:00 PM – 10:00 PM

Join top founders, VCs, and operators for a high-energy happy hour 🍸 during SF Tech Week—an evening designed for real conversations, new connections, and unexpected collaboration. Whether you're raising your first round 🚀 or scouting your next investment, this is your chance to skip the pitch decks and connect face-to-face with the people shaping what’s next. With the venue's iconic ambiance and a curated crowd of builders and backers, this is where authentic relationships take root in the heart of San Francisco. 🌉

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.