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- Upcoming Founder & VC Events Happening This Week + Building Products That Customers Want
Upcoming Founder & VC Events Happening This Week + Building Products That Customers Want
Mariane Bekker
February 16, 2025
Hi,
Hope you had a great Valentine’s Day and week! On my end, I attended the Sphere of Sports conference with a few friends and colleagues.
🔥 What’s Coming Up This Week
We’ve got some incredible opportunities lined up:
✅ Master Your Sales Pipeline: CRM Strategies for Startups – Join us for an insightful webinar designed to help startups unlock the power of CRM systems.
✅ How To Build AI Agents From the Ground Up – Join us for a hands-on workshop where you'll learn how to create AI agents from scratch!
✅ Office Hours with a Kristopher Floyd about Sales & Marketing (VIP Members Only) – Get expert insights on your Sales and Marketing challenges
🚀 VIP Perk Alert: Join as a VIP to access these workshops and office hours for free!
💡 Exciting Fund Update: $100M in soft-commitments
Our angel group has gained a lot of momentum, so we're turning it into a fund! We've already got $100 million in initial commitments from our community. Thanks for your trust and support.
I'll keep you updated every week on the fund's progress. We're all in this together, and your involvement means a lot. We’ll share more details soon!
For Founders
Get Funded: Access flexible capital from investors and operators who offer both funding and mentorship.
Mentorship & Network: Leverage our deep ties with VCs, LPs, and seasoned operators.
End-to-end Engineering Resources to build production-ready AI applications.
Fast, Founder-Friendly Process: Close your round without the typical fundraising headaches.
For Investors
Exclusive Deal Flow: Discover top-tier AI startups before everyone else.
Co-Invest with Experts: Partner with experienced investors and operators who’ve scaled AI ventures.
Access Diligence & Sourcing: Tap into our robust screening process and expert deal curation.
Founders: Apply to the AI Launchpad and supercharge your venture’s potential.
Investors: Apply to be an LP in our fund to co-invest in the most promising AI innovations.
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 sponsor an event or partner together? Contact us here
Tuesday, February 18 - 9:00 AM - 11:00 AM
Grow your business with Kristopher, a seasoned innovation and marketing specialist and former advisor to Bunker Labs and 500 Global in San Francisco. With a proven track record with both Fortune 500 clients and early stage startups, Kristopher is here to share his expertise to help you succeed.
Wednesday, February 19 - 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Join us for a hands-on workshop where you'll learn how to create AI agents from scratch! We'll break down the key concepts in simple terms and guide you step by step—no advanced coding experience needed.
In this session, you'll discover:
✅ What AI agents are and how they work
✅ The basics of training and improving AI models
✅ How to build and test your own AI agent
Thursday, February 20 - 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Join us for an insightful webinar designed to help startups unlock the power of CRM systems, with Laura from Darwinian Ventures! This session will guide you through selecting the right CRM, conducting audits, leveraging end-to-end reporting, and maintaining pipeline hygiene.
Learn how to optimize sales processes, enhance team collaboration, and make data-driven decisions to accelerate growth. Perfect for founders, sales leaders, and early-stage teams looking to streamline operations and maximize impact.
Tuesday, February 25 - 2PM - 3PM
Understanding Valuations, Equity, Financial Projections, and Choosing the Right Investment Path
Raising capital is one of the most critical—and complex—challenges founders face. This workshop is designed to give you a solid understanding of the financial essentials that drive successful fundraising, helping you make informed decisions to grow your startup strategically.
Thursday, February 27 - 6:00 PM - 9:00 PM
We are hosting an exclusive dinner for Seed and Series A founders & VC, co-hosted by Mariane Bekker from Founders Bay.
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.
March 10, 2025
Discount Code (20% off): UTODAYFOWF20
The Big Apple is host to Opal Group’s Family Office Winter Forum. Held in one of the world’s largest financial capitals, this event perfectly aligns with the culture of the city that never sleeps. Families and financial managers will enjoy a fast pace day of interactive panel discussions and networking breaks. With over 500 delegates there is always an opportunity to meet potential clients. While in the session room, trending investment topics will be addressed by some of Wall Street’s most sought after managers and advisors. Themes of family governance, alternatives, and impact investing, will have even the most cynical of New Yorkers believing in their financial future. The Family Office Winter Forum will leave each delegate stimulated, enlightened and in that New York State of Mind.
March 11, 2025
Discount Code (20% off): UTODAYIH20
Opal Group is proud to present our inaugural Investing in Healthcare event, in collaboration with the SDF Silverstein Dream Foundation, at 7 World Trade Center in New York City. This exclusive gathering will feature dynamic sessions exploring the wealth of opportunities in the healthcare sector, with a focus on private wealth investment strategies and emerging trends shaping the industry.
In addition to in-depth discussions on the evolving landscape of healthcare investments, the event will spotlight other high-potential sectors that are ripe for exploration.
Concluding the day, attendees will enjoy an elegant evening cocktail reception, offering a rare opportunity to connect with prominent figures from New York City's investment community, including renowned leaders and industry pioneers, including Larry Silverstein.
Designed for family offices and ultra-high-net-worth investors, this event is a must-attend for those seeking unparalleled networking opportunities and cutting-edge insights into best practices and innovative investment strategies.
Join our Founders Community
🚀 Elevate Your Access with A Membership Tiers!
Price: $19/month $9/month Unlock a range of benefits to supercharge your networking and event participation:
| $99/month $49/month For those seeking the ultimate in networking and support, our VIP Access tier offers unparalleled benefits:
|
Don’t miss out on these exciting new offerings! Upgrade your membership today and take your involvement to the next level.
Subscribe To Growth Access and get free tickets to:, Founders Bay Virtual Workshop - Master Your Sales Pipeline: CRM Strategies for Startups, Founders Bay Virtual Workshop: Funding Fundamentals – Valuations, Raising Capital, and Investment Strategies
Subscribe To VIP Access, get all the workshops above for free and get free tickets to: Founders Bay Virtual Workshop - Master Your Sales Pipeline: CRM Strategies for Startups, Founders Bay Virtual Workshop: Funding Fundamentals – Valuations, Raising Capital, and Investment Strategies, Founders Bay Expert Office Hours: Go To Market Advice, Exclusive Seed/Series A Founders & VC Dinner @ Cow Hollow Mansion, Founders Bay Expert Office Hours: Ask A VC with Race Capital, Founders Bay Expert Office Hours: Startup Advice with Mariane Bekker
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.
🗓️ Monday, Feb 17
👉 Stanford Sensa + Alma: Going from Zero to One (4PM-5:30PM)
📍 Stanford
💬 Alma’s founder, Aizada Marat, shares insights on taking a startup from idea to execution. Learn how to navigate challenges and scale successfully.
👉 [Virtual] Breaking In: How Founders Win in Silicon Valley (4:30PM-5:15PM)
📍 Online
💬 Investor Tara Tan breaks down the unspoken rules of Silicon Valley. Learn what drives success, what’s just hype, and how to leverage it for your startup.
🗓️ Tuesday, Feb 18
👉 Founders Bay Expert Office Hours: Go-To-Market Advice (Sales & Marketing) (9AM-11AM)
📍 Online
💬 Get expert insights from Kristopher, a 500 Global advisor, on sales, marketing, and scaling strategies tailored for startups.
👉 AI Open Mic Night + Networking (5PM-8PM)
📍 Menlo Park
💬 Connect with AI pioneers and builders at SRI International. Featuring updates from Neo4j, Weaviate, and Wikimedia.
👉 SF Game Development Featuring: A16Z Funded Founders (5:30PM-9PM)
📍 San Francisco
💬 Hear from game developers funded by A16Z and connect with industry experts ahead of GDC.
👉 Exclusive Fireside Chat with Carta's CFO (6PM-8:30PM)
📍 San Francisco
💬 Carta CFO Charly Kevers shares insights on fundraising, dilution, and financial challenges startups face today.
🗓️ Wednesday, Feb 19
👉 Founders Bay Virtual Workshop - How To Build AI Agents From the Ground Up (11AM-12PM) [HOSTED BY ME]
📍 Online
💬 Learn the fundamentals of AI agent development, including training, improving models, and testing your own AI-powered solutions.
👉 Agentic AI Hack Night (4PM-9PM)
📍 San Francisco
💬 A night of AI innovation, hacking, and networking with experts from Weaviate, VESSL AI, FireworksAI, and CrewAI.
👉 Capital Soiree: Growth Stage Dialogues (4:30PM-7:30PM)
📍 San Jose
💬 Exclusive networking event for LPs, Angels, and Series A+ founders. Enjoy drinks, appetizers, and deep conversations.
👉 Sui Blockchain & AI: A New Era Of Decentralized Intelligence (5PM-8:30PM)
📍 Palo Alto
💬 Explore the intersection of AI and blockchain with Sui and partners, including Atoma Network and SatLayer.
👉 AI Innovators Forum: AI Agents in Action (6PM-9PM)
📍 Palo Alto
💬 Dive into AI agent applications and future innovations in this exclusive panel discussion.
🗓️ Thursday, Feb 20
👉 Intersection of Healthcare and AI (3:30AM-4:30AM)
📍 Remote
💬 Explore the challenges and opportunities for early-stage healthcare startups in AI. Learn how to navigate industry complexities and leverage AI-driven innovations.
👉 Founders Bay Virtual Workshop - Master Your Sales Pipeline: CRM Strategies for Startups (11AM-12PM) [HOSTED BY ME]
📍 Online
💬 Discover how to optimize your CRM system, conduct audits, and improve pipeline hygiene for better sales performance and team collaboration.
👉 Google Cloud Lunch & Learn + Gemini Showcase (11:30AM-1:30PM)
📍 Mountain View
💬 Meet the Google team, dive into Gemini AI, and learn how startups can access exclusive Google Cloud credit offers. Includes lunch, snacks, and networking.
👉 Mastering GTM Execution, Monetization & Growth for AI & SaaS Startups (12PM-1AM)
📍 Remote
💬 Hands-on session covering GTM strategies, monetization frameworks, and how to scale AI & SaaS startups.
👉 In-person - The Politics of Steel: Nippon Steel’s Fight to Acquire US Steel (3PM-4:30PM)
📍 San Francisco
💬 Deep dive into Nippon Steel’s $15B attempted acquisition of U.S. Steel and the political and legal battles that followed.
👉 Thursday Crypto Run and Coffee (4PM-5PM)
📍 San Francisco
💬 Join a social run through the Presidio, followed by coffee and networking at the House of Web3.
👉 AI Salon: Personal Impact & Career Evolution (5PM-7:30PM)
📍 San Francisco
💬 Discuss how AI is transforming work, career prospects, and personal impact. Strategies to adapt and thrive in an AI-driven world.
👉 tldr 2 - tech happy hour sf (5:30PM-7:30PM)
📍 San Francisco
💬 A casual happy hour to connect with tech professionals and share ideas over drinks.
👉 Startup Pitch Night (5:30PM-8PM)
📍 San Jose
💬 Founders pitch their startups to a room of investors, potential partners, and peers in an engaging networking event.
👉 Hirable Agents, Bees, and Structured Output (5:30PM-8:30PM)
📍 San Francisco
💬 Bay Area AI presents talks on IBM’s agentic framework, Humatron’s Hirable Agents, and structured output from Ollama.
👉 Beyond the Buzz: Find Your Perfect Sales Role in AI (6PM-8PM)
📍 San Francisco
💬 Learn how to evaluate AI startups for sales roles and make informed career choices from industry leaders.
👉 🌟 Founder Spotlight | Startup Showcase & Investor Hangout (6PM-8PM)
📍 Palo Alto
💬 Selected founders showcase their startups to investors, industry experts, and business development professionals.
👉 Y Combinator Meetup with Solidroad & Intercom (6PM-8PM)
📍 San Francisco
💬 Exclusive networking event for YC founders, alumni, and investors.
👉 Building a Purposeful Career & Life with the President of DocuSign, Robert Chatwani (6PM-9PM)
📍 San Francisco
💬 Fireside chat with DocuSign’s President on leading a meaningful career and making an impact.
👉 Hard Crypto - Bridging Physical & Digital Worlds + Co-Creator Spotlight (6PM-8:30PM)
📍 San Francisco
💬 Explore Web3 innovations and crypto’s impact on physical and digital integration, featuring industry leader Mark Beylin.
👉 Beta x Foundation Capital｜Founder & Investor Social (6PM-9PM)
📍 San Francisco
💬 Connect with founders and investors in an evening of networking and collaboration.
👉 AI in Your Product: What Works, What Fails, What Sells (6:30PM-8:30PM)
📍 San Francisco
💬 Insights from AI leaders on product development, common pitfalls, and what drives successful AI adoption.
👉 AI Salon: Progress vs Flourishing [public] (6:30PM-9:30PM)
📍 San Francisco
💬 Thought-provoking discussion on AI’s impact on human flourishing, based on a featured essay.
🗓️ Friday, Feb 21
👉 Pitch & Pace - Run Palo Alto (8:45AM-10:30AM)
📍 Palo Alto
💬 Join founders and investors for a unique networking run! A casual 3-4 mile run, followed by coffee and conversations—perfect for pitching ideas and making new connections.
👉 AI Go-to-Market Salon (12PM-1:30PM)
📍 Palo Alto
💬 AI is redefining go-to-market strategies. Join marketing, sales, and growth leaders to discuss how AI-driven automation is transforming customer acquisition and business strategy.
👉 2025 Global Community Entrepreneurship Association (GCEA) Pitch Competition (12PM-5PM)
📍 Mountain View
💬 Microsoft-sponsored pitch competition! Winning startups will receive $150K in Microsoft Azure credits, mentorship, and connections with top-tier investors.
👉 RiskHorizon AI: What It's Like Being a Pioneer in the Era of AI (2PM-3PM)
📍 San Jose
💬 Cybersecurity & AI innovation talk. Join RiskHorizon AI founder Immanuel Chavoya for an inside look at AI-driven security solutions and career insights in tech.
👉 Investing in Generative AI Startups: Live Networking (2PM-3:30PM)
📍 Palo Alto
💬 Exclusive investor session on AI startup funding. Discussion on evaluating and investing in next-gen AI unicorns. For accredited investors only.
👉 SF Tech Girl Walk (3PM-4PM)
📍 San Francisco
💬 A tech networking event designed for women and non-binary folks. No need to pitch—just show up, connect, and share experiences in an inclusive space.
👉 Groundfloor Social: Happy Hour (5PM-7PM)
📍 San Francisco
💬 A casual happy hour with good drinks and better company. Think of it as a friend's party, but with great snacks and relaxed networking.
👉 Google, Llama, & DeepSeek - Everything You Need to Know (5:30PM-7:30PM)
📍 Palo Alto
💬 Explore the power of Llama & DeepSeek on Google. Learn how to integrate them into AI applications, access exclusive credits, and leverage their full potential.
👉 Engineers Only: GPU Hackathon – Fine-Tune DeepSeek + Master Chess 🇺🇸 (6PM-8:30PM)
📍 San Francisco
💬 A hands-on hackathon for engineers & AI researchers. Compete in building advanced models using PyTorch and multi-node training. No recruiters—engineers only!
👉 🔧 Cracking the B2C Code: AI, Growth Secrets from Instacart, Plant Story (Series A+), and $40M+ Serial Founder (6PM-8PM)
📍 Palo Alto
💬 Growth & AI strategy insights from top industry leaders. Learn how to scale B2C startups using AI-driven personalization and automation.
👉 Engineering Trivia Night! by OpenAI, SignalFire, and LaunchDarkly (6PM-8:30PM)
📍 San Francisco
💬 A fun night of engineering trivia, networking, and prizes. Sponsored by OpenAI & LaunchDarkly, expect mind-bending questions and exciting giveaways!
👉 Food Tour & Tech :: SF (6PM-7:30PM)
📍 San Francisco
💬 Tech founders, investors & professionals unite over food! Explore SF’s best food scenes while making meaningful business connections.
🗓️ Saturday, Feb 22
👉 VC / Founder Sailing on the San Francisco Bay (9:30AM-4:30PM)
📍 Palo Alto
💬 Set sail with founders and VCs for a unique networking experience! Cruise across the Bay, enjoy a scenic lunch in Tiburon, and connect with investors and entrepreneurs.
👉 Stop AI Justice For Suchir Protest at OpenAI (2PM-4PM)
📍 San Francisco
💬 Join the movement for AI ethics and justice. A peaceful protest demanding an investigation into whistleblower Suchir Balaji’s death, in front of OpenAI’s SF office.
👉 Lo-fi Hack #1 - Demo Hour (4:30PM-6PM)
📍 San Francisco
💬 Experience the latest AI & local-first tech innovations. Hackers will showcase projects built during Lo-fi Hack in a relaxed, collaborative atmosphere.
🗓️ Sunday, Feb 23
👉 the intersection of art & technology #10 (4PM-5PM)
📍 San Francisco
💬 A thought-provoking discussion at the Internet Archive. Explore the evolving relationship between art and technology, featuring futurist and social commentary themes.
🗓️ Feb 24 to March 2 - Upcoming Events
Product Development Cycles: Building Products That Customers Want 🚀
By Mariane Bekker
Building a product without understanding the development cycle is like setting sail without a map. Many startups fail not because they lack good ideas, but because they build something nobody truly wants. In this article, we'll break down how startups can navigate product development cycles to create something customers actually need.
Phase 1: Identifying the Problem (Before You Build)
Key Question: Are we solving a real problem?
Before writing a single line of code, founders must validate their idea. The goal here is to ensure that the problem they’re solving is real, painful, and urgent.
Talk to Potential Customers → Conduct interviews and surveys to understand pain points.
Study the Competition → Identify gaps in existing solutions.
Look at Industry Trends → Ensure the market demand is growing, not shrinking.
🔹 Outcome: A clear problem statement backed by real-world data.
Phase 2: Building a Minimum Viable Product (MVP)
Mariane Bekker, 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.
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