Upcoming Founder & VC Events Happening This Week + 3 Methods of Raising Capital

Hi everyone,

I hope you’re enjoying the holiday season! The past two weeks have been busy but unforgettable. We hosted three holiday parties including an incredible night at Monarch on Saturday with 1400 RSVPs, 200+ investors, and 11 DJs. It was amazing to see so many of you come together to connect and celebrate.

Now that things are slowing down, I’m focusing on family. This week, I’ll be celebrating Christmas Eve with my brother, parents, and two kiddos, followed by a relaxing getaway to Sonoma.

What’s made this season extra special has been hearing your responses to my last email about finding joy during the holidays. Your stories have truly been the highlight of my season. Here are a few that I wanted to share:

Catherine G.:
"My 10-year-old son and I went to Sausalito this past weekend to watch the Saturday night lighted boat parade and fireworks, run the Sunday Jingle Bell 5K, followed by a lovely pancake breakfast. We are going to make it an annual tradition!"

Michelle A.:
"One holiday tradition my husband and I are incorporating to get into the holiday spirit and feel festive here in the Bay is doing a nightly stroll through Russian Hill and Pac Heights. It's so nice seeing all of the Christmas decorations and trees in the windows."

Roman S.:
"One tradition that always brings me joy is taking the time to cook some of my favorite dishes from childhood. These are the recipes that take a little more time and love, the ones that fill the house with the most wonderful aromas and bring back a flood of happy memories. This year, I'm especially looking forward to making scalloped potatoes. This dish always takes me back to family holiday meals, and I can't wait to enjoy those feelings again."

Thank you to everyone who shared—it’s a reminder of how powerful traditions and small moments can be.

As we head into Christmas week, I hope you’ll take some time to slow down and enjoy the little things. Maybe it’s baking cookies, watching a Christmas movie, or calling someone you love. These simple moments can bring so much joy.

Wishing you a wonderful holiday season full of love, laughter, and peace. Thank you for being part of this amazing community. I’m so grateful for all of you, and I can’t wait to see what we’ll create together in the new year!

Also, as a Christmas Gift, TheAgentic and I are giving you with FREE AI engineering resources to build your AI product. You can book time with the team below to learn more.

If you haven’t done so, please connect with me on LinkedIn and Instagram for exclusive insights and content about startups, investments, and diversity!

Featured Events

Want us to feature your event on the list? Add it here

Virtual Workshop: Find A Technical Co-founder

Dec 27 - 10AM - 11AM

​Join us for a practical workshop where we'll guide you through the essential steps to find the perfect technical partner.

​What You'll Learn:

• ​Effective LinkedIn Strategies: How to identify and connect with potential co-founders using LinkedIn.

• ​Crafting the Perfect Job Description: Tips and templates for writing compelling job descriptions that attract the right candidates.

• ​Networking Tips: How to leverage your existing network and attend the right events to meet potential co-founders.

• ​Evaluating Candidates: Key criteria and questions to ask when interviewing potential technical co-founders.

NYE Breakfast: Enterprise AI Strategies in 2025 @ Cow Hollow Mansion

Dec 30 - 9AM - 11AM

​This event is designed for top technology and product leaders to explore how AI can drive enterprise innovation and growth in 2025. Over a curated breakfast, engage in meaningful discussions, gain actionable insights, and network with fellow executives shaping the future of enterprise AI.

​What to Expect:

• ​Keynote by Mariane Bekker, ex-Director of Engineer at Mindbody: Insights on emerging AI trends and strategies to scale innovation.

• ​Panel Discussion: Real-world applications of AI transforming IT, product development, and customer experiences.

• ​Networking Opportunities: Connect with industry peers in an intimate, inspiring setting.

NYE Masquerade Ball [HOSTED BY ME]

​Masquerade Ball 2024: An Exclusive New Year’s Eve Gala 🎭🎉

​Celebrate the NYE with me as we prepare for a night of intrigue and opulence as Vently, 611 Events, RISE Collective, & Founders Bay host the most extraordinary celebration to close out 2024. 🎆

It's A New Day + Breakfast Of Champions Block Party 2025

SF's longest-running New Year's Day celebration is back and bigger than ever to celebrate 2025. Join us as we take over the block with our favorite crews and plenty of new surprises for the Bay Area’s most treasured New Year’s Day tradition - a quarter century in the making!

Women in AI NYE Breakfast: Latest Investments Trends & Technologies @ Exclusive Cow Hollow Mansion

​ Jan 3 - 10AM - 11:30AM

This event brings together leading voices from the world of AI, venture capital, and technology to explore the latest investment trends, breakthrough technologies, and the transformative role of women in shaping the future of AI.

​What to Expect:

​Keynote Insights: Hear from investors as they share their vision for the future, providing unique perspectives on the latest trends, opportunities, and challenges in the AI investment landscape.

Upcoming Events

• Connect with me on LinkedIn and Instagram for exclusive insights and content about startups, investments, and diversity. Let’s grow together!

• Want to add your event to the list? Submit it here.

Top 3 Fundraising Instruments for Early-Stage Founders: SAFEs, Convertible Notes, and Equity Financing

By Mariane Bekker

Starting a new business is exciting, but finding the right way to raise money can be challenging. As a founder, choosing the right method to get the funds you need is crucial for your startup’s success. Let’s break down the top three ways to raise money: SAFEs (Simple Agreements for Future Equity), Convertible Notes, and Equity Financing. We’ll explain each one in simple terms to help you decide which is best for your startup.

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.