Upcoming Founder & VC Events Happening This Week

Upcoming Events & 5 lessons I learned in 2024

Author

Mariane Bekker
December 29, 2024

Table of Contents

Hi!

Time flies — can you believe 2025 is just around the corner? Come celebrate 2025 with us at our NYE Masquerade Ball. The next day, I’ll be attending Breakfast of Champions to kick off 2025 dancing to top-tier DJs! If you join our VIP Membership TODAY I’ll give you both tickets for FREE!

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

Are you looking for an LLM that’s 90% cheaper and 10% more accurate than Chat-GPT or are you looking for an expert engineering team to build your AI MVP? If so, we partnered with TheAgentic, to provide you with LLMs and engineering resources to build your MVP from 0 to 1! Book a call today: https://scheduler.zoom.us/theagentic-ai/demo

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

NYE Masquerade Ball (MARIANE20OFF: $20 off discount code)

Dec 31 - 8PM - 2AM

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

​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. 🎆

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!

Jan 3 - 11AM - 12PM

Are you looking to attract more customers online? In this interactive workshop, we’ll break down the essentials of SEO so you can get your startup found and grow fast—no technical skills required.

​What you'll learn:

  • ​How to optimize your website for search engines.

  • ​Key SEO strategies tailored for early-stage startups.

  • ​Quick wins to boost visibility and drive traffic.

​Walk away with actionable tips to kickstart your 2024 growth. Don’t miss out—secure your spot today!

​ Jan 9 - 6PM - 9PM

​Justworks is hosting an exclusive dinner for Seed and Series A founders & VC at a beautiful Cow-hollow mansion, co-hosted by Mariane Bekker from Founders Bay, Rabadi Real Estate.

​We want to bring together some of the brightest minds in the startup ecosystem, fostering valuable conversations and potential partnerships.

​What to Expect:

  • ​Networking: Connect with other funded founders & investors and share insights.

  • ​Innovative Discussions: Learn about best practices for scaling your startup

  • ​Great Food: Enjoy a delicious Mediterranean dinner while engaging with like-minded innovators.

​Whether you're a founder determined to grow your business or a VC looking to connect with emerging talent, this evening is designed to spark meaningful discussions and strengthen the Bay Area’s entrepreneurial community. 

Join our Founders Community

🚀 Elevate Your Access with A Membership Tiers!

Growth Access

Price: $19/month $10/month

Unlock a range of benefits to supercharge your networking and event participation:

  • Early Event Previews: Get the scoop on events happening 2 weeks ahead.

  • Discounted Conference Tickets: Enjoy significant savings on top conferences.

  • Free Workshops: Receive free access Founders Bay workshops.

  • Premium Content: Stay informed with our exclusive newsletter content tailored for founders and VCs.

  • Community Access: Join Founders Bay exclusive Founder & VC Circle.

$99/month $49/month

For those seeking the ultimate in networking and support, our VIP Access tier offers unparalleled benefits:

  • Early Event Previews: Get the scoop on events happening 2 weeks ahead.

  • Free Conference Tickets: Get complimentary tickets to key conferences and events.

  • Monthly 1x1 Office Hours: Benefit from a complimentary personalized monthly session with Mariane Bekker and legal experts.

  • Free Workshops: Receive free access Founders Bay workshops.

  • Personal Branding Session: Enjoy a complimentary strategy session to enhance your personal brand.

Don’t miss out on these exciting new offerings! Upgrade your membership today and take your involvement to the next level.

  • 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.

🗓️ Tuesday, Dec 31

👉 NYE Masquerade Ball (8:00 PM - 2:00 AM) [HOSTED BY ME]
📍 San Francisco
💬 ​Want to attend for free? Join our VIP member today and get a free ticket » Masquerade Ball 2024: An Exclusive New Year’s Eve Gala 🎭🎉
​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. 🎆

👉 BEARING WEST BAR & GALLEY - NEW YEARS EVE 2025 PARTY (6:00 PM - 10:30 PM).
📍 San Francisco
💬 This early evening event inspired by all things Yucatan will feature:

  • Agua Fresca Flights

  • Agave Spirits Tasting / Education

  • Conchanita Pibil- Crab & Enchiladas- Fish Tacos

  • Prosecco Toast at 9pm (East Coast New Years Eve)

  • Tamales Dulce * Sweet Corn Ice Cream

  • Latin Music

👉 Baobab New Year Eve Community (6:00 PM - 3:00 AM).
📍 San Francisco
💬 Get ready to start the New Year with joy, laughter, and togetherness, and make memories with friends, old and new.
Prepare for an extraordinary night of music, culture, and celebration as a collective of world-class musicians and DJs comes together to create an unforgettable show.

👉 2024/25 New Year's Eve Comedy Bash at The Function (SAN FRANCISCO) (7:00 PM - 8:30 PM).
📍 San Francisco
💬 Get ready to end 2024 on a hilarious high note! Celebrate New Year's Eve at The Function, San Francisco's first and only Black-owned comedy club, with the HellaFunny New Year's Eve Comedy Show. This is your chance to laugh your way into 2025 with some of the best comedians the Bay Area has to offer, including regulars from Punchline, Cobb’s, and national tours.

👉 Gran Fiesta Latina de Año Nuevo at Cigar Bar NYE 2025 - New Year’s Eve (8:00 PM - 2:00 AM).
📍 San Francisco
💬 Join us for the Fiesta de Año Nuevo w/ Pacho Y Orquesta Evoluciòn
LIVE Salsa for New Year’s Eve!

👉 Alchemist New Year's Eve 2025 (8:00 PM - 2:00 AM).
📍 San Francisco
💬 You are cordially invited to an exclusive New Years Eve Cocktail Experience!
Step into a whimsical second-floor steampunk hideaway and experience the magic of ringing in 2025 in style. Alchemist invites you to a night of sophistication, where expertly crafted cocktails and pulsating beats by DJ COCOA LECHE set the stage for an extraordinary New Year's celebration.

👉 New Year's Eve with Samson at Madarae (9:00 PM - 4:00 AM).
📍 San Francisco
💬 Members get personal invites to all our events, as well as private afterparties access, and more perks.

👉 Rockwell New Year's Eve 2025 Celebration Ball (9:00 PM - 2:00 AM).
📍 San Francisco
💬 There will be a very limited amount of tickets sold at the door. Door opens at 9:00pm. Parking is incredibly challenging in our area. We strongly encourage taking Uber/Lyft. Please arrive early if you need a ticket or to avoid long lines. Happy New Year!
Join us at Rockwell for our New Year's Eve 2025 Celebration on December 31st as we countdown the final seconds of 2024 and ring in 2025!
We'll be ringing 2025 in style with a special countdown and massive confetti blast! Playing Top 40 x Hip Hop x Club Anthem beats!

👉 HellaRnB: Sexy New Years Eve R&B Party (with FREE PIZZA & Champagne toast) (10:00 PM - 2:00 AM).
📍 San Francisco
💬 Well, well, well… 2024, it’s been real. But let’s be honest—it’s like that friend who says they’re “on their way” but takes forever to show up. It had its highs, its lows, and those weird moments we’ll all pretend never happened. But guess what? The clock’s ticking, 2025 is knocking at the door, and it’s ready to party like it’s 1999.
We're talking Usher’s “Yeah!” to get you started, Beyoncé’s “Drunk in Love” to keep you going, and Chris Brown’s “Go Crazy” to make sure you’re doing more than just counting down. Get ready to move, groove, and maybe even get a little freaky—because when the DJ spins those slow jams, you won’t be able to resist!.

👉 San Francisco NYE 2025: OGs & LPs at Shotwells Speakeasy (10:00 PM - 3:00 AM).
📍 San Francisco
💬 ​Step into a night of enchantment and revelry as Musa Capital and Rely Capital bring New Year’s Eve to life by reviving a historic San Francisco speakeasy from the Prohibition era. For one unforgettable night, immerse yourself in a celebration where old-world charm meets modern innovation.
​This exclusive event blends the glamour of the Roaring Twenties with the vibrant energy of SF's tech community. Held in a secret location steeped in cultural history, the evening will feature:

👉 NYE with Deeper Purpose (10:00 PM - 2:00 AM).
📍 San Francisco
💬 London's Deeper Purpose, aka Stephen Galloway, is a renowned house music artist with a global presence. His arsenal of infectious house cuts has earned releases on Catch & Release, Toolroom, Experts Only, Insomniac, and more.

🗓️ Wednesday, Jan 1

👉 It's A New Day + Breakfast Of Champions Block Party 2025 (4:00 AM - 9:00 PM)[I’m Attending]
📍 San Francisco
💬 Want to attend for free? Join our VIP member today and get a free ticket ». 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!

👉 New Year Party / Private VC / AI Startup Mixer (4:00 PM - 7:30 PM).
📍 Palo Alto
💬 We are Open Future Forum. We are leaders, investors, founders and engineers based in the Bay Area CA.
​​You must have an AI startup with over $240k ARR and/or have raised $1m plus in funding within the last 2 years to apply.
​​Join us for an evening of networking!
​​Experience networking with wine, cheese & hors d'oeuvres

🗓️ Thursday, Jan 2


👉 #MfgClub Virtual Job Fair / Career Expo Event #SFO (11:00 AM - 2:00 PM).
📍 San Francisco
💬 🏭 Calling All Manufacturing Professionals! Ready to elevate your career in the manufacturing industry? Welcome to the "MFGClub.com Virtual Networking and Career Fair," a career and networking event designed for the vibrant manufacturing sector. Join us on the 1st Friday of every month, from 11 AM to 2 PM local time, where we focus on enhancing career paths and creating new opportunities in the field of manufacturing.

👉 Made by Pete (Crosstown Rebels) at Madarae (9:00 PM - 3:00 AM).
📍 San Francisco
💬 Members get personal invites to all our events, as well as private afterparties access, and more perks.

👉 Out & Abt SF: @OASIS (10:00 PM - 2:00 AM).
📍 San Francisco
💬 No description provided.

🗓️ Friday, Jan 3


👉 Founders Bay Virtual Workshop: SEO Mastery To Get Found & Grow Fast (3:00 AM - 4:00 AM) [HOSTED BY ME].
📍 Virtual
💬 Are you looking to attract more customers online? In this interactive workshop, we’ll break down the essentials of SEO so you can get your startup found and grow fast—no technical skills required.

👉 Founders Running Club :: SF (9:30 AM - 12:00 PM).
📍 San Francisco
💬 ​Founders Running Club (FRC) brings founders, investors, tech, creative people and startup enthusiasts together for weekly easy runs and networking. We like to be comfortable when we run and finish with coffee and conversations. Choose your pace or follow a pacer—pets, friends, family, are welcome.

👉 Cow Hollow SF Neon Walking Tour 1/4 (5:15 PM - 6:45 PM).
📍 San Francisco
💬 Wander between Lombard and Chestnut Streets and discover vintage neon signs for motels, movie theaters, diners, and a diving lady.
Spend an evening under the neon glow with San Francisco Neon authors and photographers Al Barna and Randall Ann Homan. Tours feature local history with architectural and graphic design insights to San Francisco's unique legacy of surviving neon signs. Photography and a lively Q&A are encouraged. Be prepared to walk 1.5 hours, with rest stops. Tours start at twilight, even if it is raining. (Neon looks best in the rain.)

👉 Bowie & Elvis Birthday Bash 2025 FREE registration (9:00 PM - 2:00 AM).
📍 San Francisco
💬 Celebrate 2 legends with their music and visuals all night. DJs playing all David Bowie and Elvis Presley: Shindog (New Wave City), and Cammy.
Here's a chance for fans of either or both acts to celebrate their music, personas, and lives. The annual Bowie & Elvis Birthday Bash returns for its lucky 13th year, and uniquely among other events, presents the music, image and legend of these two iconic artists who each changed popular culture as none other, and now are both no longer with us.

🗓️ Saturday, Jan 4


👉 SF AI-Driven Robotics Club (11:00 AM - 12:00 PM).
📍 San Francisco
💬 ​Join us at the SF AI-Driven Robotics Club, where cutting-edge machine learning meets advanced robotics. This monthly gathering brings together professionals, researchers, and enthusiasts passionate about pushing the boundaries of intelligent automation.

5 Life Lessons 2024 Taught Me

By Mariane Bekker

If had to sum up 2024 in one word, it would be “rediscovery.” After years of changes and hardships, I finally felt okay on most days — an “okay” that felt huge. I learned a lot about who I am and what I truly enjoy . Here are the five biggest lessons I’m taking with me into the new year:

1. Enjoy Living in the Moment

It’s easy to go through life without pausing to notice the beauty around you. Lately, I’ve been forcing myself to stop — just for a second —wherever I am. I look for the most beautiful thing I can see: a tree, a building, a pattern of light, anything. Really noticing these details keeps me from taking life for granted and reminds me to be present.

2. Worrying About the Future Is a Waste of Energy

No matter how well we plan, life will always come with ups and downs. I used to spend hours worrying about worst-case scenarios, only to realize later that my fears rarely came true. You can’t control everything—sometimes you just have to trust that things will turn out okay (and they usually do).

3. Toxic Relationships Rarely Get Better

We’ve all had that friend, co-worker or partner who constantly drags us down. For a long time, I believed if I just changed my behavior or tried harder, they’d change too. But here’s the truth: they rarely do. It’s better to walk away—even when it’s difficult. Setting boundaries opened the door for healthier connections and a happier life.

4. Happiness Is Fleeting, and That’s Okay

We often chase “being happy” 24/7, but the truth is, it’s an emotion that comes and goes. Instead, focus on building a life you’re content with—a life that feels balanced and fulfilling most days. Find hobbies you love, surround yourself with good people, and embrace those moments of joy when they come.

5. Life’s Joy Comes from the People You Love

There’s a well-known study that found people’s happiness later in life has little to do with money—and everything to do with relationships. Seek out people who bring out the best in you, and give them your best in return. Sometimes, it’s about simply showing up for each other and building bonds that last.

As I leave 2024 behind, I’m grateful for the growth, the small “okay” moments, and the new discoveries about myself. Maybe these lessons will speak to you, too. If there’s one takeaway, it’s that it’s never too late to change, to let go, or to embrace the things that light you up.

Thank you for reading and for being part of this journey. I’d love to hear what lessons you’re taking into the new year—feel free to reply and share your thoughts! I’ll feature the top 3 in my newsletter next week! One of you will win a VIP membership!

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.