Hi Friends,
Here are some events happening this week, and the LinkedIn post about all the events:
[San Francisco] VC/LP Dinner
[San Francisco] Nightmare on Front Street - A free Halloween Block Party
[San Francisco] AWS Partner Showcase - Agentic AI in Action (SF)
You can now view ALL events here and sign up for a free Founder & VC account to message and discover 300+ VCs.
If we’re not already connected, I’d love to hear from you—please follow me on LinkedIn and Instagram. Let’s connect!
Featured Events
Want to feature or add an event to our calendar? Submit it here
Want us to sponsor an event or partner together? Contact us here
October 27 - October 30th

Build the Future of
AI Enterprises With
You.com Agentic Hackathon
A 100% virtual hackathon for developers building real-world, agentic AI.
Cash prizes, Get $5k in cash prizes and API credits, mentorship, and much more.
David Carvalho and I are hosting A GIANT Halloween party with the city, with over 10,000+ attendees, and you’re all invited!!!
Friday, October 31 - 4:00 PM - 10:00 PM
🎃 Nightmare on Front Street — FREE Halloween Block Party!
We welcome DJ Clayton William from Empire Dance Record Label.
Get ready for a spook-tacular Halloween celebration in the heart of downtown San Francisco!
Join us for Nightmare on Front Street, a hauntingly fun block party featuring themed cocktails, live music, creepy-cool activities, and costumes galore — all happening within California’s first-ever Entertainment Zone on Front Street.
Experience Halloween like never before as Schroeder’s, Harrington’s Bar & Grill, and Royal Exchange take over Front Street for one massive outdoor celebration — where you can sip, dance, and mingle right in the street with your favorite spooky spirits.
Bay Area-born and raised, Clayton William is a Billboard-charting, Grammy-nominated producer, engineer, DJ & remixer. After seven years in L.A. working with top artists like Justin Bieber, Chris Brown, Walshy Fire (Major Lazer), E-40, Too Short, Lil Jon and YG, he now serves as A&R and in-house producer/DJ at EMPIRE Records in San Francisco. He’s releasing club/festival bangers that fuse hip hop, Latin and pop music.
Upcoming Dinners
Tuesday, November 4th
6:00–8:00 PM
📍 The St. Regis San Francisco
We’re bringing together an extraordinary group of leaders, artists, and investors for an intimate dinner in support of Fiona Ma’s 2026 campaign for Lieutenant Governor of California.
🎟 Buy your ticket here: https://secure.actblue.com/donate/nov4th25
Powerhouse guests include:
Jasmine Shih — Family Office
John Wong — Amazon Industrial Innovation Fund
Marcus Young — Award-winning stuntman & actor (Avengers, Logan, and more*)
Mayor Willie L. Brown Jr. (ret.) — Two-term Mayor of San Francisco & former Speaker of the California State Assembly
Arash Yasrebi, Esq. — Immigration Lawyer
Wednesday, October 29
5:00 PM - 8:00 PM
📍 Millenium Tower
Join an exclusive evening of connection and conversation at the Founders Bay VC & LP Dinner, hosted at the iconic Millennium Tower in San Francisco. 🍷 This intimate gathering brings together venture capitalists, limited partners, and ecosystem leaders for a curated dining experience designed to spark collaboration, share insights, and explore the future of investing.
Sponsored by:
Kruncher AI drives smarter decisions with automated deal screening (10× more data, 90% less noise), 300+ signal company reports, and investment memos in under 2 hours — all in a single source of truth.
Schedule a call with the Founder (ex Microsoft OpenAI for Banks): Calendly
💎 Membership Has Its Perks
Want guaranteed entry, speaker meet-and-greets, and exclusive lounges?
👉 Join VIP — our full-access experience.
Not ready for VIP? Try our Growth Membership for early event access and member discounts.
UPCOMING WORKSHOPS
Wednesday, October 29 - 3:00 PM – 4:00 PM
Led by Aleks Gollu, Founder & CEO of 11Sight, the session will cover the realities of co-founder dynamics, equity decisions, and operational structures. Through real-world examples, Aleks will share mistakes that can derail momentum and the best practices that create a strong foundation for your company.
Thursday, October 30 - 10:00 AM –11:00 AM
🎟️ VIP Only Get To Pitch
Get ready to pitch your startup to leading investors and venture capitalists at the next Founders Bay Virtual Investor Pitch Session.
Thursday, October 30 - 11:00 AM –12:00 PM
A strong personal brand can change the way opportunities come your way. Instead of constantly chasing investors, clients, or partners, the right brand presence makes them come to you. In this workshop, Bruna Grace will share how founders and leaders can create a brand that attracts attention and builds trust in competitive markets.
FEATURED EVENTS
Thursday, October 30
4:45 PM - 8:30 PM

We are pleased to announce that the third installment of the AWS Agentic AI in Action series will highlight the work of startups: CrewAI, Kong and CodeRabbit.
Why you should be there:
Learn from top companies to build and scale Agentic AI systems.
Go beyond the hype with deep-dive sessions.
Live Demos to see the Agentic AI in action.
Network with fellow AI developers and builders, over the dinner and expo booths
Saturday, November 15
9:00 AM - 7:00 PM

Use FOUNDERSBAY15 for 15% off
This November, 10,000+ innovators, 1,000 startups, and 100 global investors and corporate leaders from 30+ countries will gather at the Santa Clara Convention Center to shape what comes next for humanity’s most transformative technology.
This is not another tech show. It’s where visionaries meet investors, where research becomes reality, and where AI meets purpose.
🧠 Come for the ideas. Stay for the connections. Leave with a future.
🆓 Free Community (Stay in the Loop)
What you get: Weekly event digest + early invites to select events
Best for: Founders exploring the Bay Area scene
Action: "Stay Updated" → Sign Up
🚀 Growth Access - $19/mo (Build Your Network Fast)
Connect with 300+ active founders & investors building in the Bay Area right now
💬 Direct access to investors — message 10 new VCs/founders monthly
🎟️ 50% off all events — save $500+ on dinners, workshops & conferences
🧠 Expert workshops — 2-3 weekly sessions with VCs, lawyers, growth experts
👑 VIP Access - $99/mo (Accelerate Your Fundraising)
Get personal mentorship, investor intros, and VIP treatment at every event
💼 Direct VC access — monthly investor roundtables + quarterly pitch practice
🎫 FREE event access — save $2,000+ annually on dinners, summits & conferences
🕓 1-on-1 with Mariane — monthly office hours + advisor access
Upcoming Events →
🗓️ Monday, October 27
👉 Korea Pavilion x TechCrunch Disrupt 2025 (8AM-3:30PM)
📍 San Francisco
💬 Explore the latest innovations from 13 leading Korean startups at TechCrunch Disrupt 2025. This showcase highlights AI, mobility, SaaS, XR, digital twin, and education technologies.
👉 You.com Virtual Agentic Hackathon - $5k in Cash Prizes! (10AM-5PM) [HOSTED BY ME]
📍 Online
💬 Join a fully virtual hackathon to build agentic AI solutions for real-world enterprise challenges. Compete for $5k in cash prizes, mentorship, and exclusive API access.
👉 Meet CyRo at Swissnex San Francisco (10AM-5PM)
📍 San Francisco
💬 Discover CyRo, a general-purpose robotics platform capable of adapting to any task. Experience live demonstrations of robots built to navigate a dynamic world.
👉 Workshop, Tech Talk, and Showcase @ F50 Physical AI Summit - Silicon Valley 2025 (2PM-6PM)
📍 Menlo Park
💬 Join an immersive half-day program combining hands-on workshops and startup showcases in physical AI and robotics. Network with top engineers, researchers, and investors while exploring industrial innovations.
👉 Meet the Nordics launch opening of the Nordic Impact Week 2025 (3:30PM-5:30PM)
📍 Palo Alto
💬 Celebrate Nordic innovation and sustainability at the kickoff of Nordic Impact Week 2025. Engage with industry leaders shaping the future of AI and energy transition.
👉 AI Agent Builders & Users Mixer (4PM-6PM)
📍 Palo Alto
💬 Connect with AI builders, users, and VCs in a relaxed networking setting. Share insights and discover the latest tools and agents in the AI ecosystem.
👉 SZ 198: Beyond the Stars Pt 2 (+ Alien Costume Party) (5PM-10PM)
📍 Menlo Park
💬 Explore astronomy and citizen science with engaging talks from leading astronomers. Dress up in alien costumes and enjoy a mix of science and social fun.
👉 Entrepreneurs' Mixer: ClimateXEnergy (5PM-6:30PM)
📍 Palo Alto
💬 Network with founders tackling climate and energy challenges. Share ideas, pitch problems, and spark collaborations in an intimate mixer setting.
👉 The "Unofficial TechCrunch Disrupt 2025" Afterparty at Werqwise SF (Founder's Edition) (5PM-8PM)
📍 San Francisco
💬 Celebrate Day 1 of TechCrunch Disrupt with founders, investors, and innovators. Enjoy music, cocktails, and meaningful networking in a high-energy atmosphere.
👉 Future Shock Deep Tech Meetup w/ SOSV & KIAC (5PM-7PM)
📍 San Francisco
💬 Explore breakthrough deep tech startups shaping the future across AI, physics, and sci-fi innovations. Meet investors and founders in a casual yet high-energy environment.
👉 Julia Solano – Portals of Place: Communities, Ruins, and Bamboo (5:30PM-6:30PM)
📍 Berkeley
💬 Discover Julia Solano's work in community design, bamboo art, and experimental cities. Learn how her projects explore collective infrastructure and sustainable futures.
👉 The World’s Fastest Hackathon for WhatsApp Agents with CodeWords x Datadog x Anthropic (5:30PM-8:30PM)
📍 San Francisco
💬 Prototype and deploy WhatsApp AI agents in just two hours with CodeWords and Datadog. Explore creative AI automations for messaging and productivity.
👉 TechCrunch Disrupt Side Event: Voices from the Future of Humane AI - Short Docu Screening & Panel (5:30PM-7PM)
📍 San Francisco
💬 Watch a short documentary highlighting innovative AI researchers and cognitive scientists. Join a panel discussion exploring new perspectives on humane AI.
👉 Orbis86 x World x MiniDoge: AI <> Web3 - Founders & Funders Mixer #TechCrunch Disrupt (5:30PM-8:30PM)
📍 San Francisco
💬 Network with builders and investors at the intersection of AI and Web3. Exchange ideas, spark collaborations, and explore the next wave of innovation.
👉 Weather Balloon Launch with WindBorne Systems (5:30PM-6:45PM)
📍 Palo Alto
💬 Witness the launch of high-tech weather balloons for atmospheric research. Learn how hardware and AI are reshaping weather observation.
👉 🌍 When Touch Meets AI: Transforming Access for the Blind Community (5:30PM-7PM)
📍 San Francisco
💬 Experience CamIO, an AI system converting physical touch into real-time audio feedback. Discover how this tech empowers visually impaired users to explore maps, documents, and models independently.
👉 Rise of the AI-Native PM (6PM-8PM)
📍 San Francisco
💬 Explore the role of AI-native product management with leaders from Meta and Databricks. Learn frameworks for designing, prototyping, and shipping AI-driven products.
👉 Founders N' Funders: San Francisco VC Reverse Pitch (6PM-8PM)
📍 San Francisco
💬 Hear VCs pitch their investment strategies directly to founders. Gain insights and make connections that could lead to funding opportunities.
👉 South Bay Systems: Apache Pinot on Object Storage / Variants in Apache Doris (6PM-8PM)
📍 San Jose
💬 Attend a technical session on optimizing Apache Pinot and exploring Apache Doris variants. Learn about real-time analytics and semi-structured data solutions.
👉 TechCrunch Disrupt Unofficial Welcome Party: Bullish or Bust? A Rooftop AI Debate with Baseten, Premji Invest and Treble PR (6PM-9PM)
📍 San Francisco
💬 Join an invite-only rooftop debate on AI and startup trends. Enjoy drinks, bites, and conversations with founders and investors.
👉 90/30 Club (ML reading) #26: Tiny Recursive Model (7PM-9:30PM)
📍 San Francisco
💬 Dive into Tiny Recursive Models (TRM) for efficient hierarchical reasoning. Discuss advances in AI architecture and puzzle-solving strategies.
👉 Agents Meet SF: Meet Your Next Partner - #TechCrunchDisrupt (7PM-9PM)
📍 San Francisco
💬 Learn how Walnut AI is shaping professional growth in the AI era. Network with peers and discover tools to amplify human capability.
👉 Pitch & Drink with P2S.vc (7PM-9PM)
📍 San Francisco
💬 Participate in speed-dating style founder-investor pitch sessions. Get live feedback, connect with investors, and explore funding opportunities.
🗓️ Tuesday, October 28
👉 VERGE 25 (9AM-7PM)
📍 San Jose
💬 Explore the intersection of climate and technology at this leading conference. Connect with 5,000+ innovators advancing decarbonization, electrification, and carbon removal.
👉 ODSC AI WEST 2025 | The Leading AI Builders Conference (9AM-5PM)
📍 Burlingame
💬 Learn practical AI applications through workshops and hands-on sessions. Network with Bay Area AI practitioners and industry leaders in an immersive tech environment.
👉 6th Peninsula Climate, AI, Co-Working day - Vibe, Agentic (10AM-4:30PM)
📍 San Carlos
💬 Collaborate with peers on climate and AI initiatives during a full day of co-working and discussions. Enjoy networking, lunch, and optional happy hour at the close of the day.
👉 Embodied Intelligence x Stanford Connect Lunch (12PM-1:30PM)
📍 Palo Alto
💬 Join a lunch focused on robotics and AI, hosted by Swissnex in San Francisco. Build connections with startups, researchers, and innovators exploring embodied intelligence.
👉 2025 AI Gyeonggi Global Entry Program IR Demo Day @ San Francisco (12:30PM-7PM)
📍 San Francisco
💬 Watch six promising AI startups showcase their technologies and business visions. Connect with investors, corporates, and ecosystem partners in a high-impact demo day.
👉 Present to CVC/VC/angel/Family Funds + AI funding chats@ Perkins Coie, PA (1:30PM-5:30PM)
📍 Palo Alto
💬 Present your AI startup to a curated group of investors and family funds. Gain insights from panels, keynotes, and networking sessions focused on AI investment.
👉 SAVE THE DATE: Vectors Capital 2025 Annual General Meeting Invitation (2PM-9PM)
📍 San Francisco
💬 Learn about Vectors Capital’s achievements and portfolio updates. Network with startups, investors, and corporate VCs in a full-day engaging event.
👉 PCV Roundtable in SF with CEO Bulbul Gupta: PCV’s 2030 Vision for an AI-Powered Just Transition (4PM-6PM)
📍 San Francisco
💬 Join a conversation on ethical AI and workforce empowerment. Explore PCV’s initiatives in climate resilience and community-focused AI tools.
👉 Thang Luong, Co-founder, VietAI (4:30PM-5:50PM)
📍 Stanford
💬 Learn about AI innovation in Asia from VietAI co-founder Thang Luong. Gain insights on building human capital and AI infrastructure in Vietnam.
👉 Black Box Session (4:30PM-7:30PM)
📍 San Francisco
💬 An invite-only evening connecting Israeli tech founders with investors. Focused on AI, cybersecurity, and deep tech innovation from Tel Aviv.
👉 SaaS/AI Founder + Investor Happy Hour @ #TCDisrupt (5PM-8PM)
📍 San Francisco
💬 Network with SaaS and AI founders, investors, and executives during a relaxed happy hour. Exchange ideas and form new partnerships in a casual setting.
👉 『Shinhan Square Bridge』(S2B) K-Innovators’ Pitch Night (5PM-8PM)
📍 San Francisco
💬 Discover promising startups from the Shinhan Square Bridge program. Engage with global investors and industry experts in a pitch and networking format.
👉 AI-Native Operations: Building the Intelligent Enterprise (5PM-8PM)
📍 San Francisco
💬 Learn strategies for building AI-native businesses from top founders and investors. Explore innovative approaches to scaling AI solutions across industries.
👉 Llama Lounge 21 | Official Disrupt Side Event | at Capgemini (5PM-9PM)
📍 San Francisco
💬 Attend talks and startup demos on AI, led by CEOs and industry leaders. Network with founders and investors in a hands-on, interactive setting.
👉 23rd Peninsula Climate, AI Happy Hour @ SF Bay Conf Week (5PM-9PM)
📍 San Carlos
💬 Relax and network over drinks while engaging with climate and AI leaders. Share ideas in interest-focused groups and enjoy lightning talks.
👉 AI Workshops at Cloudflare (5PM-8PM)
📍 San Francisco
💬 Participate in hands-on AI workshops hosted by Cloudflare. Hack projects and gain experience with cutting-edge AI tools.
👉 AI Networking Night | Breaking the GPU Dinosaurs (5:30PM-8:30PM)
📍 San Francisco
💬 Network with AI builders and investors challenging cloud and GPU limitations. Discuss on-device AI innovations and industry shifts over drinks and tacos.
👉 AI Startups x Commerce: Building What’s Next (5:30PM-8PM)
📍 San Francisco
💬 Explore AI trends in commerce through pitches and expert talks. Connect with startups and enterprises for collaboration opportunities.
👉 AI Demo-ish Day: A Vanta Community Show & Tell (5:30PM-9:30PM)
📍 San Francisco
💬 Experience early-stage AI demos and prototypes with Vanta and partners. Engage with founders and innovators in hands-on product discussions.
👉 The Emerging AI Renaissance in Gaming and Video (5:30PM-8PM)
📍 San Francisco
💬 Discover how AI is transforming gaming and video content. Join a panel discussion and networking hour focused on immersive AI applications.
🗓️ Wednesday, October 29
👉 Founder Real Talk: Mental Health (11AM-1PM)
📍 Sunnyvale
💬 Explore candid conversations about founder mental health and its impact on company success. Learn strategies to prevent burnout and thrive as a founder.
👉 Web Discovery Summit (12PM-6PM)
📍 San Francisco
💬 Discover how AI is transforming web search and embedded workflows. Hear from innovators shaping the future of connected information.
👉 Founders Bay Virtual Workshop: Dos and Don'ts for Founding Teams (3PM-4PM) [HOSTED BY ME]
📍 Online
💬 Learn how to navigate co-founder dynamics, equity, and operational structures. Gain actionable strategies for building strong founding teams.
👉 THINK Cocktails and Networking by MONEYBALL Networks. Hosted by Jeremy Piven (4PM-6:30PM)
📍 New York
💬 Mix with influential entrepreneurs, investors, and creatives in a refined cocktail setting. Enjoy curated conversations and networking in an iconic NYC venue.
👉 Panel & happy hour: Investing in material innovations in the AI era (4PM-6PM)
📍 Los Altos
💬 Dive into AI-driven materials innovation and investment opportunities. Connect with investors and founders over drinks and insights.
👉 AI Leadership Roundtable (4:30PM-6PM)
📍 Santa Clara
💬 Discuss AI applications in agriculture, robotics, and data-driven innovation. Share insights with industry leaders shaping the AI landscape.
👉 VC/LP Dinner at Millennium Tower (5PM-8PM) [HOSTED BY ME]
📍 San Francisco
💬 An intimate dinner bringing together VCs, LPs, and ecosystem leaders. Discuss emerging trends and strategies in venture capital.
👉 AI Innovation: Global Visionaries of the East Bay (5PM-9PM)
📍 Danville
💬 TED-style talks from global tech and investment leaders. Network with thought leaders driving AI innovation in the East Bay.
👉 Dropbox x AI Circle | Beyond the Buzz: Building Real AI Products | Panel and Happy Hour (5:30PM-8:30PM)
📍 San Francisco
💬 Learn from founders building real-world AI products. Gain practical tips for scaling teams, infrastructure, and AI systems.
👉 Vently's Disrupt After-Party (5:30PM-8:30PM)
📍 San Francisco
💬 Celebrate Vently’s mobile launch with founders, investors, and builders. Enjoy a themed happy hour, DJ lineup, and networking opportunities.
👉 Vibe AI Workflows Hackathon by Pipelex x Blackbox AI x Codiris (5:30PM-10PM)
📍 San Francisco
💬 Build structured AI workflows using multiple models and steps. Gain hands-on experience with practical, production-ready solutions.
👉 Shipping fast (without the slop): How modern teams actually use AI (5:30PM-8PM)
📍 San Francisco
💬 Explore how AI transforms software development workflows and team productivity. Hear insights from leaders at OpenAI, Benchling, and Nowadays.
👉 Vibe Coding Speedrun with Dovetail (6PM-9PM)
📍 San Francisco
💬 Participate in a 60-minute coding challenge to build websites or apps using AI. Learn fast, practical techniques for turning ideas into reality.
👉 SISU x Fund/Build/Scale LIVE Podcast & Mixer (6PM-9:30PM)
📍 San Francisco
💬 Discover marketing and comms strategies tailored for startups and VCs. Network with experts in PR, content, and brand development.
👉 Dark Mode: AI Demos @ GitHub Universe '25 (6PM-9PM)
📍 San Francisco
💬 Experience AI demos from the startup community’s top builders. Join engaging conversations and networking in a demo-focused evening.
👉 UAtech Venture Night @ Disrupt – The Ultimate Startup & Investor Experience! (6PM-10PM)
📍 San Francisco
💬 Connect with international founders and investors in an inclusive setting. Celebrate diverse innovation and pitch breakthrough ideas.
👉 Operators Happy Hour by Chore: AI in the Real World - From Hype to Workflow (6PM-8PM)
📍 San Francisco
💬 Learn actionable AI workflows for startup operations. Share practical strategies and insights with fellow operators.
👉 Humongous AI Meetup "Spooky Edition" (6PM-8PM)
📍 San Francisco
💬 Network with AI enthusiasts over cocktails in a Halloween-themed meetup. Explore provocative ideas around synthetic immortality and digital grief.
👉 Building AI agents for e-commerce & DTC brands (6PM-8PM)
📍 San Francisco
💬 Hands-on session creating AI agents for e-commerce support. Learn practical frameworks for improving customer service and revenue.
👉 AI + Health Demo Night #9 (6:30PM-9PM)
📍 San Francisco
💬 See how AI is applied in clinical workflows and healthtech. Engage with active demos and open-mic sharing for current solutions.
👉 Tiger Data and Cloudflare Developer Session Built for Builders (6:30PM-8:30PM)
📍 San Francisco
💬 Explore large-scale data architecture for AI applications. Learn strategies for instant analytics and robust storage solutions.
👉 AI Agent Founder Dinner: 29th October (6:30PM-9PM)
📍 San Francisco
💬 Intimate dinner for agent application founders to share challenges and learnings. Network with peers in a private, collaborative setting.
🗓️ Thursday, October 30
👉 Morning Session: Hiring Remotely in Emerging Markets (8AM-10:30AM)
📍 San Francisco
💬 Explore the operational challenges of scaling remote teams across Africa, LatAm, CEE, and South Asia. Learn practical solutions for payroll, compliance, logistics, and global team management.
👉 Experiment 2025 (9AM-1PM)
📍 San Francisco
💬 Join ML engineers and AI builders to share real-world lessons from deploying AI applications. Learn from hands-on demos, breakout sessions, and practical experimentation.
👉 AWS AI League for Startups - SF (9:30AM-2PM)
📍 San Francisco
💬 Compete in AI model customization and fine-tuning challenges to improve real-world applications. Top performers qualify for the AWS AI League Championship and startup prizes.
👉 Founders Bay: Virtual Investor Pitch Session (10AM-11AM) [HOSTED BY ME]
📍 Online
💬 Pitch your startup to leading investors and get live feedback from mentors. Gain insights to refine your narrative, fundraising strategy, and investor-readiness.
👉 2025 Regulatory & Cybersecurity Seminar (10:30AM-4:30PM)
📍 Milpitas
💬 Learn about global compliance, certification, and cybersecurity updates from industry experts. Hear sessions covering FCC, ISED, EU Cyber Resilience, and more.
👉 Founders Bay Virtual Workshop - The Magic of Personal Branding (11AM-12PM) [HOSTED BY ME]
📍 Online
💬 Discover how to build a personal brand that attracts investors and opportunities. Learn actionable steps to showcase your expertise and position yourself as a thought leader.
👉 Musa Labs 🚀 Weekly AI Training Series: Spec Driven Development with Agentic Dev Tools (12PM-1PM)
📍 Online
💬 Learn how to use AI-powered IDEs and coding assistants to accelerate software development. Gain practical techniques for building real-world projects efficiently.
👉 AWS Partner Showcase - Agentic AI in Action (SF) (4:45PM-8:30PM)
📍 San Francisco
💬 See live demonstrations of Agentic AI improving business operations across industries. Learn practical deployment strategies from AWS and partner experts.
👉 AI + Zoom's Realtime Media Streams Demo Night (5PM-8:30PM)
📍 San Jose
💬 Experience live AI prototypes and partner demos showcasing Zoom Realtime Media Streams. Hear a fireside panel on the future of real-time AI applications.
👉 [Palo Alto] AI After Hours w/ Encord @ SAP Labs (5:30PM-8:30PM)
📍 Palo Alto
💬 Connect with AI professionals and developers in an informal setting with pizza and drinks. Learn from industry leaders and network with fellow builders.
👉 Techcrunch Disrupt 2025 Mixer (6PM-8:30PM)
📍 San Francisco
💬 Unwind and connect with founders, investors, and tech operators from the Bay Area. Enjoy drinks, music, and conversations in a relaxed social environment.
👉 Bluejay x Twilio x Rime x Groq: Halloween Voice AI Meetup (6PM-8:30PM)
📍 San Francisco
💬 Share and hear voice AI stories at a Halloween-themed meetup. Network with leaders and discuss challenges in building voice applications.
👉 Fin x Zapier x Cloudflare: Building Connected AI Systems with MCP (6PM-9PM)
📍 San Francisco
💬 Explore how MCP enables interoperable, flexible AI systems. Learn to design connected AI architectures from product leaders.
👉 #TechCrunch Dinner $1M+ ARR Founder/Investor (6PM-8PM)
📍 San Francisco
💬 Network privately with top founders and investors in a curated dinner. Exchange insights on scaling, fundraising, and growth strategies during TechCrunch Week.
🗓️ Friday, October 31
👉 Deep Tech Connections Networking Breakfast (8:30AM-10:30AM)
📍 Palo Alto
💬 Network with entrepreneurs, investors, researchers, and corporate innovators in the deep tech community. Share ideas, discuss trends, and make meaningful connections over breakfast.
👉 Nightmare on Front Street: Free Halloween Block Party (4PM-10PM) [HOSTED BY ME]
📍 San Francisco
💬 Celebrate Halloween with DJs, themed drinks, and costume contests in an outdoor block party. Experience a spook-tacular evening across several iconic San Francisco venues.
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🗓️ Saturday, November 1
👉 Scrum Master product owner Unique scrum master interview questions (7AM-9:30AM)
📍 Online
💬 Learn how to stand out in Scrum Master interviews with tips on key roles, career paths, and resume optimization. Explore earning potential, remote opportunities, and AI’s potential impact on the role.
👉 The FAST Hackathon by Stripe x Greptile: Agents at Work (12PM-6PM)
📍 San Francisco
💬 Join a one-day hackathon exploring AI agents in real-world scenarios. Learn how to build, deploy, and monetize agent-driven workflows using usage-based billing.
👉 AI Sparks: Founders, Funds & Future (1PM-5PM)
📍 Palo Alto
💬 Connect with founders, investors, and AI builders to explore emerging AI infrastructure, agents, and applications. Engage in panels, demos, and discussions shaping the next wave of AI innovation.
👉 Code and Share (1PM-3PM)
📍 Online
💬 Share your personal tech projects, get feedback, and practice communicating your work. Learn from others and offer mentorship or support in a collaborative environment.
👉 Python Programming from Zero 1 - Variables & Data Types (7PM-8PM)
📍 Online
💬 Beginner-friendly Python class covering variables and data types. Perfect for those starting from scratch or refreshing foundational programming skills.
🗓️ Sunday, November 2
👉 Rethinking Value: What does "work" mean in the age of AI? [Oakland] (2PM-5PM)
📍 Oakland
💬 Explore how AI changes the meaning of human work and value in society. Discuss the opportunities and challenges as repetitive tasks become automated and humans focus on creativity, judgment, and problem-solving.
👉 2025 IEEE International Conference on QAI - Naples (3PM-8PM)
📍 Online
💬 The IEEE QAI Conference brings together experts in quantum computing and AI to share research and innovations. Join a global community exploring breakthroughs at the intersection of these transformative technologies.
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⚖️ Are You Due Diligence Ready? — Insights from Ellisha Blechynden, Principal Attorney at Blechynden Legal
Raising capital is an exciting milestone for any founder—but it also means opening your company to investor scrutiny. At our recent Founders Bay Virtual Workshop, corporate attorney Ellisha Blechynden shared expert insights on how to navigate the due diligence process with confidence and clarity.
As Principal Attorney at Blechynden Legal, Ellisha has guided countless startups and venture funds through equity financing rounds, mergers and acquisitions, and compliance reviews. Her workshop unpacked the key steps founders should take before fundraising—helping them avoid costly mistakes and build investor trust from day one.
💡 Key Takeaways
🔹 Preparation Is Power
Ellisha emphasized that readiness can make or break a deal. Founders should establish a secure data room early, organize key corporate and financial documents, and maintain an accurate cap table. “When you’re prepared,” she shared, “you keep the momentum—and investors see you as credible and professional.”
🔹 Transparency Builds Trust
Due diligence isn’t just about paperwork—it’s about partnership. Founders who communicate openly about potential risks, pending issues, or prior disputes earn investors’ respect and confidence. “Surprises kill deals,” Ellisha noted. “Honesty keeps them alive.”
🔹 Protect What’s Yours
From IP assignments to regulatory compliance, founders must ensure their company’s assets are properly protected. Ellisha urged startups to secure invention assignment agreements early and to know what information to keep confidential. “You don’t need to show your source code to prove your value,” she reminded attendees.
🔹 The Cap Table Matters—A Lot
A messy cap table is one of the top deal breakers. Keeping clear, accurate ownership records helps avoid founder disputes and signals to investors that your business is well-managed and investment-ready.
✅ Why It Matters for Founders & Leaders
Build investor confidence through transparency and preparation
Protect your intellectual property and legal foundation early
Avoid red flags that can slow or derail your funding round
As Ellisha concluded, “Due diligence isn’t just an investor checklist—it’s your company’s health check. The more prepared you are, the smoother your growth journey will be.”
👉 Want to learn more?
Connect with Ellisha Blechynden on LinkedIn or visit Blechynden Legal to explore corporate law and startup advisory services.
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