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Upcoming Founders Bay Events!
Mariane Bekker
December 17, 2024
Table of Contents
We’re one week away from Christmas, and for us parents, that means it’s the final stretch before the kids are home for weeks.
But, before the holiday starts, I’d like to also personally invite you to our upcoming Founders Bay events this December and January. It’s the perfect time to come together, start the new year, and connect with other amazing founders and investors. Scroll below to view all of our events!
Christmas Special: One Day Only!
🎉 As a thank-you for being part of our community, I’m offering you a full month of Growth or VIP Access for 70% off ($5 or $29) today only! This gives you access to all of our workshops and events (VIP) for FREE during the month!!
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 details, I want to take a moment to reflect on how i’m feeling this week….
Finding Joy in Christmas Again
Me - Christmas of 2013
Three Christmases ago, I stood in a rented Airbnb in the South Bay, unsure of what to do next. It was three weeks after my marriage ended, and my rental was set to end the day after Christmas. I was holding my 1-year-old in one hand and my 3-year-old in the other, and I didn’t know where we would live, what I would do next, or if I would ever feel okay again.
Christmas used to be my favorite holiday. Growing up in Montreal, we had the best Christmas Eves. My parents, my brother, my cousins, my uncle and my aunts would come together to laugh, share gifts, and eat amazing food — a blend of our Lebanese roots and Canadian traditions. We’d have turkey, hummus, tabbouleh, and bûche de Noël all on the same table. After dinner, we’d belly dance the night away to our favorite Lebanese tunes and sing French Christmas carols. I loved watching Christmas movies and listening to all the songs.
When I moved to the Bay Area, I started making new traditions with my husband and our blended families. Together, we created moments of happiness that felt uniquely ours— building a new chapter that celebrated where we’d been and where we were going.
But since my divorce, the month leading up to Christmas felt like torture. It reminded me of everything I had lost and left me wondering how I was going to get through Christmas on my own.
This year, I want to push myself to enjoy the holiday again and create new traditions, even if they’re small. So this week, I’m committing to one evening of watching a Christmas movie with my two boys, with chocolate chip cookies we bake from scratch.
If the holidays are hard for you, or if you’re struggling too, I’d love for you to join me. Pick something—anything—that brings you a small spark of joy. Watch a holiday movie, bake something special, light a candle, or call someone you’ve been meaning to connect with. Let’s make this a new tradition we can hold onto.
And I’d love to hear from you. Email me your favorite holiday tradition or share what you did to make this season just a little brighter. I’ll feature some of your responses in next week’s newsletter and, as a thank-you, I’ll gift one of you a FREE VIP membership for 1 month!
Maybe together, we can take small steps toward finding joy again.
Founders Bay Upcoming Events
Christmas Special: One Day Only!
🎉 As a thank-you for being part of our community, I’m offering you 2 months of Growth and VIP Access for 70% off ($5 or $29) today only! This gives you access to all of our workshops and events for FREE!
Dec 17 - 3pm - 4pm
Are you a founder navigating the complexities of early-stage fundraising? This hands-on workshop will demystify cap tables, SAFE agreements, and setting your startup’s valuation. Learn how to structure equity, calculate your ask, and align your funding strategy with investor expectations. Perfect for pre-seed and seed-stage entrepreneurs, this session will equip you with the tools to confidently manage your startup’s financial foundation and secure the funding you need to grow.
Dec 18 - 3pm - 4pm
Are AI agents an opportunity or a threat to the future of B2B SaaS startups?
Join Akash Saraf, a trailblazer in building cutting-edge LLMs for agentic reasoning, to learn how AI is changing the SaaS world and what it means for your business.
Dec 19 - 2pm - 3pm
This workshop will help you turn your ideas into stories that sell. You'll learn how to use storytelling to create better pitches, clear messaging, and content that connects with your audience. We'll walk through how to analyze your current story, build new ones that resonate, and find more success.
Dec 21 - 9pm - 2am
We’re seizing control of three epic, interconnected venues to throw San Francisco’s premier founder/VC/artist holiday party! 🎄🔥 🔺
Monarch Two floors pulsating with holiday beats. Lose yourself in a labyrinth of sound or find your next big collaboration over craft cocktails.
Dec 26 - 11AM - 12PM
Join us for a practical workshop where we'll guide you through the essential steps to find the perfect technical partner.
What You'll Learn:
Effective LinkedIn Strategies: How to identify and connect with potential co-founders using LinkedIn.
Crafting the Perfect Job Description: Tips and templates for writing compelling job descriptions that attract the right candidates.
Networking Tips: How to leverage your existing network and attend the right events to meet potential co-founders.
Evaluating Candidates: Key criteria and questions to ask when interviewing potential technical co-founders.
Dec 30 - 9AM - 11AM
This event is designed for top technology and product leaders to explore how AI can drive enterprise innovation and growth in 2025. Over a curated breakfast, engage in meaningful discussions, gain actionable insights, and network with fellow executives shaping the future of enterprise AI.
What to Expect:
Keynote by Mariane Bekker, ex-Director of Engineer at Mindbody: Insights on emerging AI trends and strategies to scale innovation.
Panel Discussion: Real-world applications of AI transforming IT, product development, and customer experiences.
Networking Opportunities: Connect with industry peers in an intimate, inspiring setting.
Jan 3 - 10AM - 11:30AM
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.
What to Expect:
Keynote Insights: Hear from investors as they share their vision for the future, providing unique perspectives on the latest trends, opportunities, and challenges in the AI investment landscape.
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 7 - 1PM - 4PM
Need quick legal guidance to navigate your startup journey?
Sign up and you’ll be assigned a 15-minute 1:1 session with Arohi Kashyap, a seasoned attorney specializing in Startup Law, Technology Law, Data Privacy, and Cross-Border Transactions.
What to Expect:
Clarify key legal issues impacting your startup (e.g., incorporation, fundraising, IP protection, contracts).
Ask questions on emerging legal challenges around AI, data privacy, and technology law.
Jan 8 - 2PM - 3PM
Ready to bring your AI idea to life? Join us for this hands-on workshop, where we’ll walk you through the essential steps to build a Generative AI Minimum Viable Product (MVP). Whether you’re an early-stage founder or a product manager, you’ll learn how to define your use case, choose the right tools, and launch a functional prototype.
What you’ll learn:
Identifying the right generative AI use case for your business.
Selecting the best models, APIs, and frameworks.
Best practices for prototyping and scaling your AI solution.
Don’t miss this opportunity to kickstart your Generative AI journey! Secure your spot now.
Jan 9 - 12PM - 1PM
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.
In this interactive session, you will learn:
Demystifying Startup Valuations: How investors assess your company’s value, key metrics to focus on, and how to justify your valuation confidently.
Understanding Equity and Ownership: Learn how equity works, from cap tables to dilution, and strategies for maintaining control as you scale.
Financial Projections that Resonate: Build realistic financial forecasts to demonstrate your company’s growth potential and attract the right investors.
Choosing the Right Funding Strategy: Compare funding options—bootstrapping, angel investors, venture capital, and alternative methods—and learn which path aligns best with your goals.
Jan 14 - 5PM - 9PM
Join us for a special event during JPM Week to explore how Artificial Intelligence is transforming healthcare. From smarter diagnostics to personalized treatments, learn how AI is improving patient care and driving new medical advancements.
This event brings together industry leaders and innovators to share insights on the future of healthcare powered by AI. Don’t miss the chance to connect, learn, and be part of the conversation.
Jan 16 - 2PM - 3PM
With insights from his experience backing groundbreaking Agentic and Vertical AI startups, George will provide you with the exact strategies and frameworks that top VCs look for when evaluating early-stage AI companies.
What You’ll Learn:
Crack the VC Code: What top AI-focused VCs are really looking for in early-stage startups.
Perfect Your Pitch: Proven techniques to structure and deliver a pitch that resonates.
Position for Funding Success: How to align your startup’s story with market trends and VC priorities.
Insights from the AI Frontlines: Key opportunities in Agentic and Vertical AI that are capturing investor attention in 2025.
This bootcamp is for early-stage founders who want to learn the fundraising process. You’ll get practical advice, hands-on experience, and learn from industry experts and founders who’ve successfully raised funds. By the end of the day, you’ll have the knowledge, tools, and confidence to fundraise for your startup.
Summit Highlights
Understand the full fundraising process from start to finish.
Get practical tools and templates for investor readiness.
Practice your pitch and receive real-time feedback.
Learn directly from investors and successful founders.
Stay updated on trends in fundraising for 2025.
Jan 22 - 5PM - 8PM
AI Agents are revolutionizing the way enterprises operate, unlocking new levels of productivity, efficiency, and innovation. But what does this mean for founders, investors, and operators shaping the future of business?
Join us for an engaging session where we’ll explore:
How AI Agents are being deployed to transform enterprise workflows.
The opportunities and challenges in adopting AI within organizations.
What founders and investors need to know to stay ahead in this rapidly evolving landscape.
This is a must-attend event for founders, VCs, and operators in the Bay Area looking to understand how AI Agents are shaping the next generation of enterprise solutions
Jan 21 - 2PM - 3PM
This workshop aims to show how implementing a structured, AI-driven GTM strategy with Criya can significantly reduce manual workloads, enhance lead engagement, and streamline marketing operations.
Introduction to AI in GTM Campaigns
Unveiling the 5-Step AI GTM Campaign Calendar
Deep Dive: 'Campaigns in a Box'
Live Demo of Campaigns in a Box with Criya AI
Jan 30 - 6PM- 9PM
Join us for an exclusive evening of connection, conversation, and collaboration at the Founders Bay Private Dinner. This intimate gathering will bring together a select group of climate tech founders and investors to explore synergies, exchange insights, and foster meaningful partnerships in the rapidly evolving climate tech landscape.
Music and dancing helped me heal, so we’re bringing it to the tech industry!!! We are throwing the biggest founder/VC event that the tech world has ever seen!
A celebration of innovation and progress spanning 25 years—past, present, and future.
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.