[SF]
[LA]
Future of Team Productivity: AI and Workflow Automation
[SF]
[LA]
The Invisible Workforce: AI for the Back Office
A practical discussion on how fast-growing companies can automate repetitive IT tasks, reduce risk, and stay lean without building a full IT department.
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]
Ugly Talk: Female Founders in SF
Important Attendance Information:
Due to building security requirements, all attendees must be on the pre-approved guest list to gain entry. Please ensure you have registered in advance.
Please note:
This event is now at capacity. We are unable to accommodate additional guests or walk-ins at this time.
In the heart of the world’s most ambitious startup scene, women founders are still being told the playing field is “better than ever.” The numbers disagree. In 2025, women-led startups in the U.S. pulled just over 2% of all VC dollars — in SF, that means the game is still mostly played without you on the roster.
Even for seasoned founders, the warm-intro culture of Sand Hill Road keeps capital locked behind closed doors. Investors still pitch men on “market domination” and women on “risk mitigation.” AI, deep tech, and SaaS get the headlines, but the bar for women to raise in those sectors sits higher — and often comes with double the scrutiny.
In a city obsessed with the “next big thing,” women founders are forced to prove their staying power before they’ve even gotten a fair shot at scale.
🎯 Why You Should Attend
Because the SF hustle isn’t slowing down, and neither are the expectations. You’ll hear from founders who’ve raised in the most cut-throat funding climate in years, navigated the old biases wearing new disguises, and built companies that punch through without losing themselves in the process.
If you’re building in tech — whether it’s AI, enterprise, consumer apps, or the next category-breaker — this is where you’ll learn how to navigate the maze, spot the landmines, and find your people.
🙋 Who You’ll Meet
Women tech founders from pre-seed to Series B .
Investors and ecosystem builders with deep roots in SF’s venture scene.
Operators, mentors, and allies who’ve seen the game from the inside and want it to change.
🎤 Who’s on the Panel
Mehak Aggarwal - Co-Founder of Sybill
Founder and head of AI at a silicon valley startup Sybill that’s raised $15M+. She’s also an engineering nerd. Sybill is AI sales assistant who can answer deal questions, create sales assets, and automate grunt work like meeting prep, email follow-ups, and CRM updates.
Haruka Takamori - Co-Founder & CEO of Syval
Haruka Takamori is the founder of Syval, a money journaling app that helps people quit impulse buying and understand the emotions behind their spending. She grew up in Taiwan in a single-parent household and later worked at ByteDance, in investment banking, and in venture capital. After overcoming her own shopping addiction, Haruka moved to San Francisco to build Syval. Inspired by personal experiences with financial instability, she is committed to making financial wellness accessible to all. Beyond startups, Haruka is trilingual and an active advocate for founder wellness and mindfulness practices.
Alyona Mysko - Founder & CEO of Fuelfinance
Alyona Mysko is the CEO and Co-Founder of Fuelfinance, an AI-powered financial planning and analysis platform built for SMBs. Before starting Fuel, she spent 10+ years as a CFO helping founders handle messy spreadsheets and build forecasts. Now she’s scaling that superpower with AI, giving founders real-time visibility into their numbers and faster decisions without hiring a full finance team. She’s a Masters of Scale podcast guest, a HubSpot INBOUND speaker, and finalist in the $1M Pitch Competition by Hubspot. With Fuel, customers manage over $400M+ in P&L, including companies like Hampton, ColdIQ, Oceans, and others. Fuel’s mission is to save SMBs from financial mistakes, and unlock trillions of dollars in global GDP.
Moderator:
Jenny Chen - CEO of WalktheChat
Jenny runs a performance marketing and data analytics agency that used AI to drive strategic insights for global luxury brands such as Louis Vuitton, Armani, and Chaumet. A recognized leader in social media and e-commerce within the fashion space, she spent 12 years in Beijing before moving to the U.S., where she lived in five cities across both coasts over 6 months before finally settling in San Francisco.
💬 What We’ll Talk About
Why SF’s “open network” is still a closed loop without the right intros — and how to break in.
The new face of bias in venture: same double standard, now dressed in AI hype and “metrics discipline.”
Surviving the hyper-competitive pitch circuit without burning out.
What’s working right now for women raising in SaaS, AI, and other high-growth sectors.
Building companies that scale on your terms, not just your investors’.
🤝 Co-hosted With
Global Entrepreneurs Hub - Silicon Valley’s $1M+ ARR+ Founder Community.
GREY Journal – Media partner spotlighting modern entrepreneurs (featured on Apple News + Google News).
🤝 Venue Partner
Persona - An online identity verification platform that helps businesses, from any size and industry to collect, verify, and manage user identities throughout a customer lifecycle. Available in over 200 countries. Starting at $0.
⭐ About Ugly Talk:
Started in 2019, Ugly Talk has been transforming business setbacks into breakthrough “aha!” moments by hosting unfiltered, no-nonsense events where battle-tested entrepreneurs share their raw lessons and insights.
With a growing presence in cities like New York, Chicago, San Francisco, and Miami, we’ve built a vibrant community of thousands of founders and industry leaders making a profound impact on the entrepreneurial landscape.
Official Website: UglyTalk.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.
By joining this event, you abide to Persona's Events Code of Conduct:
https://withpersona.com/legal/persona-events-code-of-conduct
Founders, Friends & Fermentation, Saku Biosciences
[SF]
[LA]
Lets get the LA Bioeconomy brewing
Santa Monica
·
Founders, Friends & Fermentation, Saku Biosciences
Los Angeles is brewing a new kind of future, one where biology is the engine of innovation. 🌱⚗️
This is the first gathering of the LA chapter of Founders, Friends & Fermentation: a community happy hour bringing together scientists, engineers, entrepreneurs, founders, investors, and friends who want to lead the creation of the LA bioeconomy.
The bioeconomy isn’t just about medicine, it’s about building a sustainable world enabled by environmental biotechnology, agricultural biotechnology, industrial biotechnology, synthetic biology, gene and genome engineering, microbial ecology and the sciences and technologies that amplify their impact.
Together, these fields are shaping a future rooted in biology that can transform:
🌊 Water Tech & Bioremediation
🌱 AgTech & Sustainable Foods
🌍 ClimateTech & Decarbonization
🧪 Industrial Biotech & Biomanufacturing
🧬 Synthetic Biology & Genetic Engineering
🏗 Novel Materials & Biofabrication
🌳 Environmental Biotechnology
This gathering is about building the bridges between the lab, the startup, the investor, and the community—because biology’s biggest breakthroughs happen when diverse minds connect.
Whether you’re a scientist dreaming about scaling your ideas, an engineer prototyping the future, an investor looking for the next wave of innovation, or simply someone excited about sustainability, this is your invitation to brew the bioeconomy with us. 🍻
✨ All are welcome—like any strong microbial culture, we thrive on diversity.
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.
(Stealth) AI Alignment Coalition
[SF]
[LA]
The Only SFTW Where AI Governance Isn’t Boring
SOMA
·
(Stealth) AI Alignment Coalition
AI Alignment Coalition x TectoAI x The Catalyst Era x AI Alignment Liasion bring you...
The ONLY SF Tech Week dinner that will shape AI’s future in real time and you won’t find it on any stage or panel.
We’re gathering the most influential voices in AI, from startup founders, top VCs, and policy leaders, for an evening that flips the script on the typical Tech Week mixer.
This isn’t networking-as-usual.
We’ll throw out some questions for you all to consider and let the conversations unfold across lines that usually stay separate, from code to capital to compliance.
By the end of the night, you won’t just leave with new connections. You’ll leave with collaborations, bold ideas, and a tangible vision for what governance can mean for innovation.
Dinner & drinks provided. Location revealed upon registration and seats are going fast!
Agenda:
Welcome + Drinks | 5:30 - 5:45 PM
Special Keynote, by Dr. Cynthia Bailey (Stanford CS Professor, Senate AI Policy Fellow) | 6 PM - 6:15 PM
Dinner + Roundtable Discussions | 6:20 PM - 7 PM
AI Comedy Special by Bhavya Shah (Stanford CS, India's Got Latent Finalist) | 7 PM - 7:15 PM
Open Networking | 7:15 PM - 7:30 PM
Register here!
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.
Thank you very much to our sponsors: TectoAI and Rho!
Rho is the all-in-one banking platform for startups. With banking set up in minutes, 2% cashback cards, and powerful tools for managing spend, paying bills, and closing the books, Rho helps high-growth startups move fast and stay focused—with support that goes to the ends of the earth to help you win
[SF]
[LA]
AI in the Creator Stack
When every week’s product update seems to slap “AI-powered” on the label, it gets tough to tell what’s real, what’s vaporware, and what actually moves revenue. This panel brings together the builders and operators behind influencer and affiliate products to sort signal from noise.
What we’ll dig into
-> How AI is switching up the creator game
-> When to use AI...and when not to
-> Concrete walk-throughs of AI features already in prod and the exact metrics they’re improving.
You’ll leave with a short-list of AI experiments worth running next sprint (and a few buzzwords you can safely ignore in the next exec meeting).
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]
AI search writes the story – make it yours.
Pssst, you.
Yes, you. We know you can’t hear any more buzzwords like vibe coding and generative AI. And you’re searching for what’s REALLY next in AI.
So Limy is here for you with the official refresher of a16z Tech Week!
We’re honored to host Jitendra Kumar (Director, Agency & PE/VC Partnerships, US, at Google) and Michael Carney (Venture Capital & Private Equity Senior Partner Manager). They’ll bring their unique perspectives on the evolving world of AI Search.
Get ready for bold ideas, sharp insights, and unfiltered conversations about the future of how we search, discover, and interact with information. This isn’t another surface-level talk - it’s the roadmap to what’s coming.
Come for the vision, stay for the vibe: curated cocktails, elevated finger food, and a room full of people shaping the future.
See you there.
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]
Expanding the Boundaries of Storytelling with GenAI
Storytelling is at the heart of human expression, and at Promise we’re reimagining how visionary artists use generative AI to create groundbreaking films, series, and new forms of entertainment.
We’re teaming up with Curious Refuge, the world’s largest AI film school and a division of Promise, for an immersive evening exploring the intersection of AI and creativity.
What to expect:
✨ Fireside chat with Albert Cheng of Amazon Studios, exploring how how GenAI can support the creative vision of artists, expanding what’s possible on screen while honoring the craft.
✨ Cocktail party with members of the creative community, industry leaders, and innovators
Join us for an evening of insight and inspiration!
Parking is limited. UBER recommended.
[SF]
[LA]
Beta SF Pitch Jam
Unfiltered, unpolished, unstoppable.
An invite-only pitch night where early-stage founders share what they’re building right now— traction or not. Think energy of a YC batch sneak peek meets raw startup magic.
Founders get 3 minutes to pitch, followed by 2 minutes of live feedback from the judges.
Judge Panel:
Salman Munaf, Lead SRE @TikTok
Srik Gorthy, Senior Data Scientist @TikTok
Dhyey D. Mavani, Gen AI @LinkedIn
Vyom Malhotra, Senior Engineer @NIVIDIA
Sarah Romanko, VC @Geek Ventures
📍 Flow
6:00–6:30 PM | Check-in + snacks
6:30–6:40 PM | Kickoff + judge intros
6:40–7:30 PM | 10 founders pitch (3-min pitch + 2-min feedback)
7:30–8:00 PM | Open networking
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.
Light Dao, EVOLVING POTENTIAL
[SF]
[LA]
LIGHT DAO SALON: Investor Fireside Chat with : Saurabh Suri, CerraCap Ventures
Beverly Hills
·
Light Dao, EVOLVING POTENTIAL
Join Light Dao, Mission Matters, and conscious entrepreneurs and investors for an evening filled with connection, deep conversations, and a fireside chat with Saurabh Suri, Co-Founder and Managing Partner at CerraCap Ventures.
Expect candid reflections on wins, stumbles, and what it takes to turn ideas into impact to co-create a more loving world.
📍 Format: Fireside Chat + Salon
Saurabh Suri is the Co-Founder and Managing Partner at CerraCap Ventures.
He has over 20 years of experience in the technology industry focused on creating, growing and sustaining technology products and solutions in a global operations environment; having lived and worked in 4 continents.
Prior to founding CerraCap, he served as Vice President for Emerging Solutions at UST Global where he conceived & led UST's investment arm and launched its Cyber Security subsidiary. With the approach of turning ideas into value, Saurabh has pioneered several models for startup growth and investing centered around unique value-driven approaches; producing significant returns. Saurabh has also helped Fortune 500 organizations establish and run highly successful innovation units.
With a specific focus of investing in Cyber Security, Enterprise AI and Healthcare, he has several
published articles, whitepapers and talks on the applications of these technologies in the
enterprise space.
Saurabh has a degree in Neuro-computation and a research background in High Performance
Computing from the UK. Saurabh has helped mentor and grown several successful tech companies where he serves as an advisor and board member.
💡 Hosted by: LightDAO – a global community of 5,000+ conscious entrepreneurs and investors building the future of impact-driven innovation. wearelight.one
The Mission Matters platform is a media outlet designed to give voice to the stories of entrepreneurs, entertainers, executives and experts.
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]
Creative Partners: Human + AI Storytelling
Venice
·
Othelia, Primordial Soup
TechTable by Cyber Pop-up
[SF]
[LA]
AI-matched private dinners with TechTable
SOMA
·
TechTable by Cyber Pop-up
You're Invited to a TechTable hosted during San Francisco Tech Week!
Join us for an exclusive networking dinner designed to connect like-minded tech professionals using our AI-algorithm. This is your opportunity to build meaningful relationships, spark engaging conversations, and enjoy a memorable evening.
We can’t wait to host you at TechTable!
Reserve your seat now and get ready for an evening of inspiration and connection!
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.
HSBC Innovation Banking, a16z
[SF]
[LA]
AI, Infra, & the Future of Generative Media
SOMA
·
HSBC Innovation Banking, a16z
Join us for: AI, Infrastructure, and the Future of Generative Media, a San Francisco Tech Week panel and reception hosted by HSBC Innovation Banking and a16z.
Date: Tuesday, October 7
Time: 4:00pm - 6:00pm
Location: SOMA, San Francisco, CA
This exclusive reception will bring together leading VCs, founders, and senior executives for conversation and networking alongside a panel discussion on the state of AI Infrastructure and Generative Media, with Jennifer Li, GP at a16z, Gorkem Yurtseven, Co-Founder at Fal.ai, Adam Brown, Co-founder at Mux, moderated by Alex Choy, Managing Director at HSBC Innovation Banking.
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]
LegalTech Games by Alegi: Startup Showdown, Legal Roast & VC Verdicts
Welcome to LegalTech Games by Alegi—Tech Week’s most electrifying legal AI experience. This is where the most innovative LegalTech startups go head-to-head for exposure, honest feedback, and investor attention.
How it works:
Startup Showdown: Startups deliver lightning-fast demos in front of a high-powered jury of VCs, legal experts, and founders.
Legal Roast: The top 3 finalists must pitch live and endure a no-holds-barred “Legal Roast” from our panel—tough questions, sharp critiques, and maybe even a few laughs.
VC Verdicts & Networking: Our judges crown a winner and share rapid-fire “verdicts” for each finalist. Then, it’s time to unwind: founders, investors, and legal leaders mingle over curated wines, making real connections.
This is Shark Tank meets Comedy Central Roast—all designed to showcase the next generation of LegalTech, spark investor conversations, and unite the future of law.
If you want real feedback, big energy, and VC access, this is your event.
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.
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