Hi,

This week, I’m focusing on kicking off our new investment arm. We got tons of applications to join us in investing in promising startups and we’re sorting them through.

Next week, I’m going to disconnect from the world a bit and go to Mexico!

If we’re not already connected, I’d love to hear from you—please follow me on LinkedIn and Instagram. Let’s connect!

But before I share more about our events, I want to take a moment to express how i’m feeling this week…

For the last three years, I’ve dreaded Valentine’s Day. After my divorce, it felt like a painful reminder that I was alone. No flowers, no dinner plans, just me trying to ignore a day that only seemed to celebrate couples.

And this feeling wasn’t new. Growing up as a new refugee in Canada, I remember watching kids in school exchange roses, knowing I wouldn’t get one. I wasn’t tall, I wasn’t conventionally attractive, and I wasn’t the poplar kid who fit in easily. I was a new refugee, Lebanese, from a conservative background, and different in ways that made me feel invisible.

That feeling of being left out stuck with me for years. Even as an adult, Valentine’s Day felt like proof that I wasn’t enough, that I was missing something.

But this year, something changed. Instead of avoiding the day, I reached out to my friends and community. And what happened next surprised me.

One friend bought me a ticket to a Valentine’s bash. Another invited me to a party. Someone else sent me a ticket to a conference. And suddenly, I wasn’t alone. I was surrounded by people who cared, people who reminded me that love isn’t just about red roses and fancy dinners. It’s in the little things — people who check in, people who show up when you need them, and the communities that make you feel seen and valued.

For years, I thought Valentine’s Day was about what I didn’t have. Now, I see it’s about the love that’s been there all along.

So if this week you are feeling lonely, I get it. But don’t close yourself off. Love might already be around you - in the small moments when people show up for you, even when you feel forgotten ❤️

With love,

Mariane Bekker

Want us to sponsor an event or partner together? Contact us here

Thursday, February 13 - 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM

Discover how to turn LinkedIn into a powerful sales tool in this hands-on webinar. Learn to define your ideal customer profile, identify high-quality leads, and craft compelling messages that convert into booked demos.

We’ll also explore strategies for scaling your efforts, including automating outreach to maximize efficiency and impact. Perfect for sales professionals, founders, and anyone looking to supercharge their LinkedIn outreach and close more deals.

Saturday, February 15 - 9:00 AM - February 16, 9:00 PM

​This high energy hackathon leverages the latest cutting edge tools and platforms, giving teams the opportunity to build agentic driven solutions with the potential to break out and become the next unicorns (or decacorns) in the space.

Tuesday, February 18 - 9:00 AM - 11:00 AM

​Grow your business with Kristopher, a seasoned innovation and marketing specialist and advisor at 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. 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 - 9:00 AM - 11:00 AM

​Join us for an exclusive Founders Bay Expert Office Hours session with Mohak Saxena, Investor at Race Capital and former AI leader at DataRobot. This is your chance to connect directly with a seasoned VC investing in early-stage tech infra, AI, and data startups.

Wednesday, February 26 - 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM

​Are you interested in investing in the next big startup but don’t know where to begin? Angel investing is one of the most exciting ways to grow your wealth, support innovation, and gain access to high-growth opportunities before they hit the mainstream.

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:

Tuesday, March 4 - 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM

​With extensive experience as an investor, engineer, and community leader, I offer personalized advice to help your startup succeed.

Thursday, March 6 - 10:30 AM - 12:30 PM

​​We’re hosting an exclusive breakfast for Women founders at Perkins Coie, co-hosted by Mariane Bekker, CEO of Women Founders Bay, and TheAgentic.

​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.

Friday, March 14 - 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM

​Join us for a morning of great food and smart conversations! ☕🥑 At this exclusive Founders Bay Breakfast, we’ll dive into how businesses can use AI in 2025 to stay ahead.

​What to expect:

✅ Insights on the latest AI trends for enterprises
✅ Practical strategies for using AI to grow your business
✅ Networking with founders, tech leaders, and innovators

Join our Founders Community

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.