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Hi Friends,
We’ve got something special happening next week — and I’d love for you to be part of it.
From a bold AI debate with Gossip Goblin, to expert office hours and hands-on sales workshops, we’re bringing together some of the sharpest founders and operators around.
Here’s a quick look at what’s coming:
🌞 Special Summer Offer: Join VIP today for 50% off and get access to all of the events below for free, including private meet & greets, expert sessions, and our founder/investor community.
But before I share more about these events… I want to tell you what’s been on my heart this week.
✨ What If Joy Looked Like Showing Up Alone?
Last week of school!
This week, I stood in my child’s classroom — surrounded by glitter glue, spelling tests, and handmade “I Am Brave” posters.
It was end-of-school year open house.
The room filled quickly — smiling parents, happy couples, picture-taking teams. Then my ex-husband walked in with his new wife. All happy families. And there I was, holding two backpacks… and the weight of everything I thought I’d lost alone.
And somewhere deep inside… I felt like a failure.
Like I missed the life I was supposed to have.
Like I wasn’t enough.
Like I had let my kids down.
But then — my son came running. He hugged me like I was the only person in the world. And when I asked how he was feeling, he said:
“I’m happy. The teacher said I’m the happiest kid in the class.”
That moment cracked me open.
Because sometimes we carry so much — guilt, grief, pressure. At home. At work. In life.
We feel behind. Like we’re messing up. Like everyone else got the manual we somehow missed.
But maybe we’re not failing.
Maybe we’re learning.
Maybe we’re growing.
And maybe — that’s enough.
Last week, I asked:
What if joy was the strategy?
So many of you wrote back with your answers.
And it reminded me —
Joy isn’t about perfect pictures.
It’s not the flawless family or the polished pitch deck.
It’s presence. It’s truth.
It’s the quiet decision to keep going.
To build a life — a startup — a family — even when the blueprint got torn apart.
Here’s what some of you shared with me about joy:
“For me, joy comes from deep human connection... I stopped using my phone around my kids and started being fully present. It wasn’t easy — but it changed everything.”
— Steven Kim
“I tap into joy walking along the harbour, hiking, working out, and having deep conversations with my mates.”
— Claire Wu
“Doing something for someone else — even a small intro — feeds my joy. Singing in a chorus. Talking to strangers. Joy is contagious.”
— Martha Farmer
“Dancing brings me joy. Feeling the sun. Journaling. Reading.”
— Alan Cruz
So if this week feels heavy —
If you’re navigating a pivot, a launch, a breakup, or just burnout —
Know this:
Yes, sometimes we screw up.
Sometimes life doesn’t go our way.
But that’s what life is.
And joy?
Maybe it’s not what happens after the struggle.
Maybe it’s what we find inside it.
Keep going.
Mariane Bekker
🎟️ Join Founders Bay VIP — 50% Off This Month Only
If you’re ready to build, grow, and connect with the Bay Area’s most dynamic founder and investor community, this is your moment.
🌞 Summer Offer: Get VIP for just $24.50/month
Get access to every event below for free, plus private dinners, expert office hours, and our WhatsApp community.
🔐 Founders Bay VIP-Only Events — Free with Membership
Tuesday, June 10 - 10:00 AM - 1:00 PM
GTM Office Hours with Kristopher Floyd is a casual and open space for anyone interested in Go-To-Market (GTM) strategy to ask questions, share ideas, and learn from an expert. Whether you're launching a new product, growing your sales pipeline, or trying to better understand your customers, Kristopher brings real-world experience and insights that can help.
Wednesday, June 11 - 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM
With extensive experience as an investor, engineer, and community leader, I offer personalized advice to help your startup succeed. Here’s how I can assist you: fundraising strategy, technical guidance, co-founder matching, talent recruitment, and personal branding
Tuesday, June 17 - 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.
July 9th 10AM - 1PM
If you’re an investor and would like to speak or be featured, reply to this email
We’re hosting an exclusive breakfast at a stunning private residence in Noe Valley, 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.
👉 Upgrade to VIP for access to all of the above + private dinners & investor circles.
Join VIP – 50% Off Now »
🔐 FOUNDERS BAY GROWTH & VIP EVENTS — FREE WITH MEMBERSHIP
Thursday, June 5 - 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Artificial Intelligence is changing how we create, build, and do business—but what does that mean for protecting ideas? This workshop will help founders, creatives, and tech professionals understand how intellectual property (IP) works in the world of AI. Whether you’re training AI models, building products, or using AI-generated content, it’s important to know your rights.
Thursday, June 12 - 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Join us for a hands-on workshop designed to help you master the art of engaging inbound leads. This session will cover key strategies for converting inbound inquiries into valuable sales opportunities, optimizing your sales process, and building lasting relationships with prospects. Learn how to nurture leads effectively and turn them into loyal customers with personalized outreach and tailored messaging.
June 18 - 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.
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.
👉 Upgrade to Growth for access to all of the above + private dinners & investor circles.
Join Growth – 50% Off Now »
🔵 Open & Public Events (No membership required)
Wednesday, June 11 - 5:30 PM - 7:30 PM
Join us for an in depth conversation about the biggest decision facing AI talent today: Should you start your own AI startup or gain experience at big tech first?
Thursday, June 5 - 5:00pm – 8:00pm
Join Newlab, Downtown Brooklyn Partnership and Heizen for an electrifying evening of ideas, innovation, and community at the intersection of frontier tech and early-stage entrepreneurship.
We’re bringing together NYC’s top early-stage founders for a live pitch competition, showcasing startups building critical technologies to tackle the world’s biggest challenges and unlock entirely new industries. Network with builders and potential collaborators in one of NYC’s most iconic innovation spaces.
Thursday, June 26 - 5:30 PM - 8:00 PM
If you’re an investor and would like to judge, reply to this email
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.
In this episode of ICONS, Jeff Evans—co-founder of Mantis VC—reveals how he teamed up with The Chainsmokers to build one of the most founder-loved funds in tech.
🎙 From backing Underdog Fantasy pre-product to the 4 traits Jeff looks for in every great founder, this conversation is a masterclass for:
First-time VCs Founders raising capital Builders looking for an edge
🔥 What we cover: – How Mantis raised $100M during COVID lockdowns, including from Goldman Sachs CEO David Solomon – Why “the founder, the founder, the founder” is Jeff’s golden rule – The real reason top founders let Mantis on their cap table – What it takes to lead, inspire, and actually execute – Lessons from hiring, failing, and sprinting before your feet hit the ground
📌 If you're building a startup or fund, this is required listening.
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Managing Partner, Founders bay
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.