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- Upcoming Founder & VC Events Happening This Week
Upcoming Founder & VC Events Happening This Week
Upcoming Events & The Week’s 10 Biggest Funding Rounds
Mariane Bekker
March 04, 2024
Featured Events
Sports/Fitness Tech & AI: Panel And Networking (Link)
Thursday from 5:30 PM - 7:30 PM
Join me and Women Founder’s Bay for an exclusive Sports Tech event hosted by AMID AI Lab! This event will feature a dynamic panel discussion with prominent figures from the sports tech & fitness industry including athletes, investors & founders.
Shack15 Celebrates Women’s Day (Hosted by Me) (Link)
Friday from 3:30 PM - 7:30 PM
I will be hosting an enlightening panel discussion at the intersection of startup funding and the future of AI. This event brings together three distinguished female partners from prominent VC firms in the Bay Area to share their expertise on early-stage funding and the evolving landscape of AI innovation.
Speakers:
Mariane Bekker, Founder at Upward & Co-Founder of Women Founders Bay
Susan Akbarpour, Managing Partner at Candou Ventures
Edith Yeung, Partner at Race Capital
Julie Liao, Partner at Yes VC
Networking events are a great way to meet fellow founders and investors. Here are events happening in San Francisco this week for founders.
🗓 Monday (Mar 4)
📍 Palo Alto
💬 Come and Meet Featured investors Featured VC: Lu Zhang Founder & Managing Partner at Fusion Fund
📍 Stanford
💬 We’re delighted to invite you to a special gathering of Iranian Stanford Alumni and Students. This event consists of a panel discussion followed by a mixer, and it will be a great opportunity to connect, learn, and get inspired by our speaker.
🗓 Tuesday (Mar 5)
📍 San Francisco
💬 Join us for the official https://goatstack.ai/ community kick-off and product launch party at on March 5th at 7pm!
🗓 Wednesday (Mar 6)
📍 San Francisco
💬 For the past 4 weeks, Founders, Inc. has opened up the Lab in Fort Mason to 30 of SF's top developers as part of the Vision Pro Residency. Together, they've learned the ins and outs of building for this powerful new hardware. Now, we're coming together to see what they've created and celebrate their hard work.
📍 San Francisco
💬 "AI in 5" encapsulates an exciting concept: the ability to leverage powerful artificial intelligence technology within five minutes, transforming what once was the domain of experienced data scientists into a playground for all. This concept isn't just about speed; it's about accessibility, simplicity, and the empowerment that comes from turning ideas into working AI models almost as quickly as one can conceive them. Join Clarifai at Reactor SF to see how AI in 5 works!
📍 San Francisco
💬 Have we finally discovered the holy grail of artificial intelligence (AI)—machines that match or exceed human intelligence? Advances in generative AI (GAI) have created a new class of computer systems that exhibit astonishing proficiency on a wide variety of tasks with superhuman performance, producing novel text, images, music, and software by analyzing enormous collections of digitized information. Soon, these systems will provide expert medical care; offer legal advice; draft documents; write computer programs; tutor our children; and generate music and art. These advances will accelerate progress in science, art, and human knowledge, but they will also bring new dangers.
📍 San Francisco
💬 Join us for "The Tech Giveback," an event aimed at bridging the gap between the tech startup scene in SF and young individuals from under-resourced communities. While Silicon Valley has flourished as a hub for innovation, access to its opportunities has remained elusive for many.
📍 San Francisco
💬 Founders, founders-to-be, visionaries, investors - let's connect!The event will be held at Persona's HQ on Sacramento st (Financial District) and I'll organize to have some pizzas and drinks for us!
📍 San Francisco
💬 Come unwind with us during a silent reading session at AGI House SF! Bring along your favorite book or choose from our library of 1400+ books spanning transhumanism, physics, cognitive science, and more. Find the perfect spot in one of our snug reading corners and lose yourself in thought
📍 San Francisco
💬 We are organizing 150-200 people Networking Event for Startups, Investors and Game changers.
🗓 Thursday (Mar 7)
📍 Palo Alto
💬 WELCOME TO UNICORN BATTLE IN SILICON VALLEY – https://unicorn.events/460586/ – Global Startup Pitch Contest where famous international VCs and Business Angels meet extraordinary startups from all over the world!
📍 Menlo Park
💬 The next installment in our women-centric series, celebrating International Women’s Day, is an expert-led educational public event addressing women’s health.
📍 Mill Valley
💬 Join us for an empowering evening at the Mill Valley Community Center, graciously sponsored by the City of Mill Valley, to celebrate and elevate women's narratives in business. This event is tailored for those ready to amplify their brand, refine their marketing strategies, and accelerate their growth.
📍 San Francisco
💬 Join us for an exclusive Sports Tech event hosted by AMID AI Lab! This event will feature a dynamic panel discussion with prominent figures from the sports tech & fitness industry including athletes, investors & founders.
📍 Palo Alto
💬 AI Investor Pitching Featured Investors John Huang Seed & A Round Investor Brian💥 Sparkes Head of Communications at Bay Angels
📍 San Francisco
💬 We are celebrating International Women's Day. Join us on March 7th for an empowering Women in Tech Leadership event, dedicated to paving the way for women in technology through leadership, resilience, and networking.
📍 San Francisco
💬 Join us (Ali, Kanjun, and Josh) for a fireside chat with Alex Ratner, CEO of Snorkel AI.
🗓 Friday (Mar 8)
📍 San Francisco
💬 At a Bootstrappers Breakfast® we have serious conversations about growing a business based on internal cashflow and organic profit: this is for founders who are actively bootstrapping a startup.
📍 San Francisco
💬 This International Women's Day, let's come together to celebrate the incredible contributions of women in shaping our world! We're highlighting the achievements of women across various industries, particularly those that may be considered more male-dominated traditionally, such as Real Estate & Venture Capital, while also hosting an enlightening session on Fashion and Branding. Whether you're looking to be inspired, to learn, or simply to enjoy a day filled with camaraderie and connections, SHACK15 is all set to be the perfect backdrop for an unforgettable experience.
📍 San Francisco
💬 Join Furqan Rydhan and Greg Isenberg for a fireside chat on using community to build profitable internet empires. Topics will include studios as the future of startups, community-driven growth, Reddit, how to think about 2024, and plenty of other hot takes.
📍 San Francisco
💬 Women Founders Bay and the Women’s Investment Club join forces for an enlightening panel discussion at the intersection of startup funding and the future of AI. This event brings together three distinguished female partners from prominent VC firms in the Bay Area to share their expertise on early-stage funding and the evolving landscape of AI innovation.
📍 San Francisco
💬 Join Women in AI Club in what is sure to be an amazing panel discussion on Responsible AI and an opportunity to celebrate diversity and women empowerment in the AI space on International Women's Day.
🗓 Saturday (Mar 9)
📍 Menlo Park
💬 Join us on March 9th for an extraordinary event featuring three trailblazing leaders, Vivienne Ming, Li Song, and Jun Li. They’ll bring a wealth of experience and innovation to the table. Don't miss this opportunity to gain insights from these exceptional leaders and delve into the future of innovation and entrepreneurship!
📍 San Francisco
💬 This hackathon encourages you to challenge the status quo, to blend AI with education and unlock unprecedented possibilities for learning and teaching. Your contribution can steer the course of how society educates its future generations. Let's craft smarter, more adaptive, and personalized learning experiences.
🗓 Sunday (Mar 10)
📍 San Francisco
💬 The AI Salon is a community founded in San Francisco focused on intimate, small-sized group discussions on the sociological, economic, cultural, and philosophical impacts and meaning of AI developments. We host small group discussions, all of which you can find on our calendar. Please show up before 1:30 so that conversations can flow smoothly.
📍 Cupertino
💬 We will be hosting the ETH Denver Afterparty in Silicon Valley: Web3 + AI. Many founders and VCs will be joining us to share the latest Web3 technology and applications from ETH Denver. We are aiming to provide a collaborative environment for participants to innovate, share ideas, and develop new projects. We'd love for you to join us.
The Week’s 10 Biggest Funding Rounds
In an exciting week for startups, we've seen significant investments across various sectors, from energy to artificial intelligence, biotech, agtech, healthcare, apps, and publishing. Here's a roundup of the top funding rounds that are shaping the future of their respective industries.
1. Fervo Energy: Leading the Charge in Clean Energy
Sector: Energy
Funding: $244M
Fervo Energy, a Houston-based geothermal developer, has secured a substantial $244 million round led by Devon Energy Corp. This new influx of funds will bolster Fervo’s upcoming drilling operations in Utah, aiming to deliver clean electricity to the grid by 2026. Since its inception in 2017, Fervo has raised a total of $431 million, marking a significant step forward in sustainable energy solutions.
2. Glean: Revolutionizing AI in the Workplace
Sector: Artificial Intelligence
Funding: $200M
Despite a forecasted slowdown in AI investment, Glean has defied expectations by closing a more than $200 million Series D, achieving a $2.2 billion valuation. The round was led by Kleiner Perkins and Lightspeed Venture Partners. Based in Palo Alto, California, Glean has made waves with its AI-enhanced work assistant and enterprise search tool, reaching unicorn status in May 2022. With $360 million raised to date, Glean is rapidly expanding its capabilities and market reach.
3. FogPharma: Pioneering Biotech Innovations
Sector: Biotech
Funding: $145M
FogPharma is at the forefront of biotech innovation, closing a $145 million Series E led by Nextech Invest. The company is developing a new class of therapies for significant disease drivers, showcasing the growing momentum in the biotech sector. With a foundation laid in 2015, FogPharma has now accumulated $530 million in funding.
4. Oishii Farm: Advancing Vertical Farming
Sector: Agtech
Funding: $134M
Oishii Farm, a New Jersey-based vertical farming company, has raised $134 million in a Series B round led by NTT. Oishii is known for its premium strawberries supplied to elite New York restaurants and is now expanding with a massive indoor farm. Since 2017, the company has raised $184 million, signaling a resurgence in agtech interest.
5. Alamar Biosciences: Elevating Early Disease Detection
Sector: Biotech
Funding: $128M
Alamar Biosciences, after securing a $100 million Series C led by Sands Capital, is on the brink of raising an additional $28 million. The Fremont, California-based startup focuses on protein studies for early disease detection, having raised $250 million since its 2018 founding.
6. Kenai Therapeutics: Innovating Cell Therapies
Sector: Biotech
Funding: $82M
Kenai Therapeutics, specializing in induced pluripotent stem cell technology for neurological disorders, has captured an $82 million Series A. With the Alaska Permanent Fund Corp., Cure Ventures, and The Column Group at the helm, Kenai's total funding has reached $89 million since its 2022 launch.
7. Intenseye: Enhancing Workplace Safety with AI
Sector: Artificial Intelligence
Funding: $64M
Intenseye's $64 million Series B, led by Lightspeed Venture Partners, underscores the growing demand for AI in ensuring workplace safety. The New York-based company, founded in 2018, has raised $93 million, leveraging computer vision AI to protect employees.
8. (Tied) B.well Connected Health & Passes: Shaping Healthcare and Fan Engagement
Sector: Healthcare / Apps
Funding: $40M Each
B.well Connected Health and Passes, each raising $40 million, highlight significant advancements in healthcare and fan engagement. B.well's Series C, led by Leavitt Equity Partners, and Passes' Series A, led by Bond Capital, showcase the dynamic evolution within their fields.
10. Inkitt: Redefining Self-Publishing
Sector: Publishing
Funding: $37M
Inkitt, a self-publishing startup based in San Francisco, has raised $37 million in a round led by Khosla Ventures. Since its founding in 2014, Inkitt has secured $117 million, democratizing publishing for aspiring authors worldwide.
Hi! I'm Mariane Bekker, 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 passionate about promoting diversity and inclusion in the tech industry and helping founders succeed. That's why I founded Upward, an agency specializing in assisting early-stage startups find and hire top local engineering talent.
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