[SF]
[LA]
Flip the Funnel: Marketing for Female Founders
Most marketing advice starts at the top of the funnel: shouting louder, posting more, and chasing visibility. But for founders building real businesses, that’s often a waste of time and energy.
In this tactical workshop designed exclusively for female founders, marketing strategist Mari Milenkovic (Founder of With Mari and Co-founder of Her Brand & Co., acquired in 2024) will walk you through a more effective approach: flipping the funnel.
You’ll learn how to identify your biggest marketing bottleneck and build the right systems in the right order to unlock sustainable growth.
In this session, you’ll:
Diagnose what’s really slowing your momentum (spoiler: it’s not lack of effort)
Discover the five funnel stages and how to prioritize them strategically
Learn how to shift from random tactics to revenue-driving systems
See real examples from female-led businesses who used this framework to scale
This is not about doing more... it’s about doing what actually works.
Whether you're growing your customer base, prepping for your next launch, or trying to make sense of your marketing chaos, this workshop will give you the clarity and strategy you’ve been craving.
Seats are limited to keep the session hands-on and interactive.
This event is a part of #LATechWeek—a week of events hosted by VCs and startups to bring together the tech ecosystem. Learn more at www.tech-week.com.
[SF]
[LA]
Legendary Ventures (Venture Hour) (W/VCA)
Legendary Ventures is hosting an exclusive shindig for investors, founders, and entrepreneurs to share, learn, and engage each other in the VC ecosystem. Availability is limited to thirty (30) people.
This event is a part of #SFTechWeek—a week of events hosted by VCs and startups to bring together the tech ecosystem. Learn more at www.tech-week.com.
[SF]
[LA]
a16z Speedrun Startup Culture Brunch: Angels/VCs Edition
Come spend a few hours with early stage VCs and angel investors discussing the fundamentals of strong startup culture and teams.
We're hosting a panel with:
Gagan Biyani - CEO at Maven, fmr Cofounder at Udemy
Warren Shaeffer - Partner at Pear VC, 3x fmr Founder
Moderated by a16z Speedrun's Head of People, Tom Hammer
Seats will be limited for early stage VCs and angel investors.
This event is a part of #SFTechWeek—a week of events hosted by VCs and startups to bring together the tech ecosystem. Learn more at www.tech-week.com!
Green Software Foundation, Climate Product Leaders
[SF]
[LA]
Sustainable AI: Energy, Water, and the Future of Growth
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Green Software Foundation, Climate Product Leaders
AI is scaling at unprecedented speed—but so are its hidden costs in energy, water, and carbon emissions. By 2030, U.S. grids could struggle to support the demand. How can we ensure AI’s growth is both sustainable and resilient?
Bring your lunch and join the Green Software Foundation and Climate Product Leaders at 9 Zero for a practical, eye-opening panel on sustainable AI. We’ll unpack the real environmental impact of LLMs and modern software, share techniques to track and reduce emissions and water use, and explore how technologists—engineers, product managers, and beyond—can lead the shift to greener software.
This isn’t just about mitigating risk—it’s about building AI that lasts.
About the panelists:
- Dave Masselink: Dave is a Software Engineer and Founder with experience in clean tech, fintech and cloud. At SolarCity/Tesla, he worked on the grid systems team managing fleets of connected inverters and controllable loads. At Intuit, he built dev tools for secure and scalable Kubernetes deployments. At GoogleX's Tapestry, he developed tools to accelerate grid planning and renewable energy deployment. His background combines sustainability expertise with deep infrastructure experience.
- Nolwenn Godard: A Product veteran (ex-PayPal, ex-Sofi), Nolwenn was appointed by California's Governor to lead the Office of Data and Innovation, where she created the State’s first executive order on Generative Artificial Intelligence. She is the founder of Carbon 2C, a practice helping SaaS CTOs cut waste and scale sustainably. She is the co-author of "Sustainable by Design: A Playbook for Product Managers" and leads Green IO US.
- Pascal Joly: Pascal is the Founder of IT Climate Ed, a consulting firm focused on digital sustainability. Pascal is also the creator of AIWattch, an open source browser extension to measure LLM emissions in real time, and has over 25 years of experience in the IT and data center industry.
Useful resources: https://cloud.sustainability.watch/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/Useful-Resources-GSF-San-Francisco-Bay-Area-compressed.pdf
This event is a part of #SFTechWeek—a week of events hosted by VCs and startups to bring together the tech ecosystem. Learn more at www.tech-week.com.
[SF]
[LA]
Building An AI Startup Panel
Join Mucker Capital for a panel discussion to hear POVs from different experts (investor, lawyer, AI PhD, and founder) on various considerations for building an AI startup.
From what investors look for to legal considerations, you’ll hear practical advice and real-world applications for building an AI startup.
Confirmed panelists include:
- Danny Pantuso, Investor at Mucker
- Irina Kukuyeva, PhD AI
- Vejay Lalla, Partner at Manatt
- Collin Overbay, Cofounder at Quome
Whether you’re building with AI or just starting to explore it, this session is designed to share practical insights and lessons learned from those that are doing it.
Stick around after the session for food, drinks, and networking.
Note:
This session is designed for startup founders. Space is limited, and preference will be given to early-stage founders. Final location details will be shared upon approval.
Sponsored by Google for Startups, Manatt & Fidelity Private Shares.
By submitting this form, you agree to receive communications from Mucker and sponsors.
By registering for this event, you understand and agree that the information you are providing will be processed in accordance with the Fidelity privacy statement here - https://privateshares.fidelity.com/privacy-and-terms.html
By registering for and attending this event, you consent to potentially being photographed or recorded during the session. These materials may be used by Mucker Capital and its partners for marketing and promotional purposes.
If you do not consent to being photographed or recorded, please withdraw your RSVP prior to the event.
This event is a part of #LATechWeek—a week of events hosted by VCs and startups to bring together the tech ecosystem. Learn more at www.tech-week.com.
[SF]
[LA]
The Data Frontier: ENG, Research, VCs
"The Data Frontier: Engineering, Research & Venture Perspectives"
Join us for a fireside chat bringing together leaders at the cutting edge of data infrastructure. This session will explore how today’s
largest data platforms operate at exabyte scale, what research is revealing about the next generation of data systems, and where venture capital is placing bets on the future.
HEAR DIRECTLY FROM:
* A senior engineering leader overseeing one of the world’s largest data lakes
* A premier VC shaping the next wave of data startups
* Rahul Ponnala, CEO of Granica AI
* Andrea Montanari, Chief Research Scientist at Granica AI and Stanford Professor
Expect an engaging discussion at the intersection of engineering, research, and venture, followed by networking with peers across the data community.
This event is a part of #SFTechWeek—a week of events hosted by VCs and startups to bring together the tech ecosystem. Learn more at www.tech-week.com.
[SF]
[LA]
Startup & VC Career Expo
Come find your next opportunity in LA. We are excited to host our first Job Expo in LA designed to connect startup and VC operators with VC firms looking for top talent for their firm and portfolio companies
The event activities includes a tech/VC career panel, and a recruitment workshop with lots and lots of opportunity to connect with hiring companies/firms.
About Host - Vencapital
Vencapital is a VC accelerator for aspiring minority and female investors, so far we have supported 200+ alums through the program and have 100+ active VC fund managers and experienced investors that instruct and hire through our program.
This event is a part of #LATechWeek—a week of events hosted by VCs and startups to bring together the tech ecosystem. Learn more at www.tech-week.com.
[SF]
[LA]
VC & Founders Happy Hour w/ Qapita
Join us for a VC & Founders Happy Hour during SF Tech Week!
Unwind over drinks, make meaningful connections, and share real conversations with fellow founders, VCs, and operators from across the SF tech scene. Whether you're swapping stories, exploring collaborations, or just enjoying the vibe — it's the perfect way to wrap up the day.
Drinks are on us. Come by, raise a glass, and connect with the community.
About the Hosts
Qapita-empowering startups to streamline equity and ownership management across their lifecycle.
Vistra-enabling companies to expand beyond their home countries quickly and compliantly, building the right foundation for a global business from step one.
This event is a part of #SFTechWeek—a week of events hosted by VCs and startups to bring together the tech ecosystem. Learn more at www.tech-week.com.
[SF]
[LA]
The Silicon Tea Salon
Union Square (SF)
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The Council, J.P. Morgan
Want to connect with top operators investing into most promising founders? AND have the chance to meet founders tackling today’s biggest challenges?
Join The Council and J.P. Morgan for a refined afternoon of curated connections over High Tea. 🍵
This isn’t your typical mixer—we’re bringing together a handpicked group of top operators, seasoned founders, and Council Angels for intentional networking in an intimate setting.
👋 Who is this event for:
• Council Angel Members (https://www.thecouncil.co/angels)
• Senior operator leaders who are angel curious or actively investing
• Post-revenue founders
🤝 What to Expect:
High Tea & Treats ~ Enjoy a beautiful spread while sparking meaningful conversations.
Curated Networking ~ We’ll facilitate thoughtful connections between operator-angels and ambitious founders solving high-impact problems.
✨ Why Attend?
This event is designed for those who want insider access. Connect directly with operators shaping high-growth startups and founders who are building the future. Whether you’re investing, scaling, or launching, this is a rare opportunity to grow your circle with true peers.
📩 Please Note:
Attendance is limited due to the exclusivity of our community and the venue.
The event is invite-only; location will be shared upon approval.
We’ve chosen an afternoon format to accommodate investors and founders with evening family obligations.
This event is a part of #SFTechWeek—a week of events hosted by VCs and startups to bring together the tech ecosystem. Learn more at www.tech-week.com.
[SF]
[LA]
Movie Screening (The Social Network) & Pizza by Zingroll
We're Zingroll (www.zingroll.com)- YouTube/Spotify for AI Movies! Before Zingroll and AI takes over all of Hollywood, we're paying one last tribute to the current form of cinema by hosting a traditional movie screening for Tech Week 2025: The Social Network.
After the screening, we'll have Pizza, an open bar and ~1 hour of space to network. The event will be attended by engineers, filmmakers, students, interns, early stage investors, and of course - Zingroll's 33 person team. We're also hiring across two continents and several roles- so feel free to come and say hi!
Looking forward to seeing you this Fall 🍺
This event is a part of #SFTechWeek—a week of events hosted by VCs and startups to bring together the tech ecosystem. Learn more at www.tech-week.com.
[SF]
[LA]
Epic Confessions: Women in Tech
In a world full of polished success stories, Epic Confessions brings raw truth to the stage. Women founders and investors share unfiltered 7-minute confessions: failures, turning points, and lessons that shaped their journey in tech.
Hosted by Mujeres Épicas and Revista Level, a global media platform with over 2M readers, this is the only #LATechWeek event dedicated to amplifying women’s voices in technology.
Seats are limited, apply now to join this intimate session in Santa Monica.
This event is a part of #LATechWeek—a week of events hosted by VCs and startups to bring together the tech ecosystem. Learn more at www.tech-week.com.
Reach Capital, Inflect Health
[SF]
[LA]
Breakfast Conversations: What Clinicians Want Tech to Know
SOMA
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Reach Capital, Inflect Health
A breakfast conversation where healthcare's frontline meets innovation.
Clinician burnout has reached crisis levels, yet the gap between what providers need and what technology delivers continues to widen.
Reach Capital and Inflect Health invite you to an intimate morning dialogue with the physicians, health system leaders, and founders who are working to close this divide — one meaningful solution at a time.
This invite-only session brings together the people on the ground: clinical leaders navigating impossible caseloads, system operators redesigning broken workflows, and entrepreneurs building with deep empathy for provider pain points.
You'll hear honest perspectives on what actually works in clinical settings, the human factors that determine adoption, and how the best solutions earn clinician trust rather than just administrator approval.
Connect with the people building, buying, and backing healthcare's most clinician-focused innovations.
This event is a part of #SFTechWeek—a week of events hosted by VCs and startups to bring together the tech ecosystem. Learn more at www.tech-week.com.
[SF]
[LA]
SF Soirée - Rooftop Kickoff & Startup Dinner
🎉 Kick off San Francisco Tech Week in style at the QS Soirée: Rooftop Kickoff & Startup Dinner! 🌉 Join us on Friday, October 10th at 7 PM for an exclusive evening with SF’s top VCs, entrepreneurs, and tech leaders.
🍹 Enjoy gourmet food, handcrafted cocktails, and live music while networking under the stars in the heart of SoMa. This event is open by invitation only, with limited spots available. Please register promptly.
This event is a part of #SFTechWeek — a week of events hosted by VCs and startups to bring together the Bay Area tech ecosystem. Learn more at www.tech-week.com.
[SF]
[LA]
Jobseeker Strategy for
In this market, your personal network is your biggest asset in landing a job. And, #TechWeek provides an incredible opportunity to build your network.
This 30 minute workshop is an efficient way to prepare yourself for to network for job search success during #SFTechWeek.
Agenda
- Plan how you will introduce yourself
- Social media strategies for expanding your network during an event
- LinkedIn profile audit (have your profile open for this zoom)
- Follow-ups for job seekers - follow-up templates included!
Presenter
Jovena Natal is the founder of Clutch Talent, a tech recruitment agency. She has supported technical staff in getting jobs at companies like Google, MongoDB, Bitly, The New York Times and Harry’s. She has been featured as an expert on PBS, Fox, Bloomberg, and Crain's.
Clutch Talent is a boutique tech recruitment agency founded in NYC with a newly opened office in California. https://clutchtalent.com/
This event is a part of #SFTechWeek, a week of events hosted by VCs and startups to bring together the tech ecosystem. Learn more at www.tech-week.com.
[SF]
[LA]
Startup seed and pre-seed funding through grants
Hawthorne
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Ekvacio Venture Services
Are you fundraising for your startup or venture, but interested in holding on to your equity? If your response to the following three questions is "Yes", this event* is for you!
Are you a present or prospective co-founder or employee of a US-based startup?
Is your company considered a small business with 500 or fewer employees?
Do you have at least one of the following: (1) Initial prototype or promising data; (2) Customers or documented customer discovery/market study; (3) Initial funding from any source ?
Did you know that major companies such as Qualcomm and Amgen got started with the help of SBA (SBIR / STTR) grant funding? Grants are an excellent way to get seed- and pre-seed funding for projects deemed too risky by other investors.
To be sure: the effort seems daunting, and startups or small businesses often spend the equivalent of one full-time position or more just on writing grants, only to be rejected due to erroneous interpretation of opaque instructions, or “unwritten rules” of the agencies.
Preparation is therefore key! We will provide an overview of grant options available to startups and ventures, and how to position yourself, your startup, and your team for fundability.
We will cover:
1) SBA: Zero Equity and up to $3 Million for Standard Projects - SBIR/STTR overview across the agencies and alternatives
2) Eligibility: prerequisites for the venture and the proposal/project team
3) Example 1: National Science Foundation grants: from deep tech to AI topics and everything in between.
4) Example 2: National Institutes of Health: from dental health to oncology, clinical trials optional!
5) What is truly important in my proposal, depending on the agency?
6) Political risks and evolving grant roadmaps: what does the rapidly changing federal funding landscape mean for me?
7) Alternatives to SBA grants and international opportunities through joint ventures
This event is a part of #LATechWeek—a week of events hosted by VCs and startups to bring together the tech ecosystem. Learn more at www.tech-week.com.