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DTSTART;TZID=America/Mexico_City:20260313T110000
DTEND;TZID=America/Mexico_City:20260313T120000
DTSTAMP:20260501T113354
CREATED:20260210T012005Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260210T031627Z
UID:24492-1773399600-1773403200@foundersnetwork.com
SUMMARY:fnMexico City Chapter Coffee Connect
DESCRIPTION: \n\n\nJoin Founders Network members in Mexico City for a networking over coffee. You’ll have the opportunity to connect with your fellow chapter members\, discuss startup challenges\, and celebrate recently achieved milestones. \nVenue: Blend Station \nAddress: Puebla 237\, Roma Nte.\, Cuauhtémoc\, 06700 Ciudad de México\, CDMX \n  \nfnMXC Chapter Leadership Team\n\nGrowth Chair: Max Linares\n\n  \nAbout the Partner: \nCarlos Sanabria is the Partnerships Manager at Designli\, where he helps SaaS founders turn product ideas into clear\, actionable strategies that set the stage for successful development. Whether you’re starting from scratch or already have a live product\, he works with you to build solid roadmaps\, streamline development operations\, and get things back on track when needed. He collaborates closely with founder communities\, accelerators\, and go-to-market teams to uncover opportunities where strong product execution can drive real impact. Originally from Venezuela and now based in Mexico City\, he has worked across the US\, UK\, Australia\, and Latin America. He is always happy to connect with founders\, builders\, and teams working on meaningful products. \n  \nAbout Founders Network: \nFounded in 2011\, Founders Network offers lifelong peer mentorship to over 600 tech startup founders globally. Our platform\, programs and high-touch service facilitate authentic experience sharing\, warm introductions and long-term professional relationships. Additional benefits include over $500k in startup discounts and promotion to 2\,000 newsletter readers. Members are located in San Francisco\, New York City\, Los Angeles\, Vancouver\, Toronto\, London and other tech hubs. Each month our Membership Committee admits a new cohort of full-time tech founders who are nominated by an existing member. Learn more about us here. \n  \nConfidentiality Policy \nAll information shared within Founders Network is strictly confidential. We are built on a foundation of trust\, and the community takes confidentiality seriously. Investors\, members\, and staff all share experiences and opinions off the record. In this roundtable forum\, we continue to model our fnValues of Reciprocity\, Humility\, Authenticity and Inclusivity. Read more about our Privacy Policy here.
URL:https://foundersnetwork.com/function/fnmexico-city-chapter-coffee-connect/
LOCATION:Blend Station\, 237 Puebla\, Ciudad de México\, CMX\, 06700\, Mexico
CATEGORIES:Chapter Events,Mexico City
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END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20260115T093000
DTEND;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20260115T110000
DTSTAMP:20260501T113354
CREATED:20251218T011618Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20251218T012010Z
UID:24474-1768469400-1768474800@foundersnetwork.com
SUMMARY:From Dot Com Lessons to $100M in Revenue: The Founder Journey of Jeff Ready
DESCRIPTION: \n\n\nAcross three decades and multiple companies\, the founder’s journey is rarely linear\, and Jeff Ready’s career proves it. From navigating the dot com collapse to early-stage exits\, and ultimately building Scale Computing into a global competitor that reached $100 million in revenue before its exit\, his story offers rare insight into the decisions founders face when markets shift\, products evolve\, and timing determines success. \nIn this session\, Jeff will share how he learned when to persist and when a fresh start can accelerate growth. He will explore the challenges and opportunities of serving mid-market customers\, how long-term journeys shape brand perception\, and the ways market timing shapes strategic outcomes. He will also reflect on the realities of leading as a marketing and product-driven CEO in the earliest stages and how those instincts influenced every company he built. \nFor founders\, this session is a window into the real decision-making behind growth\, pivots\, exits\, and staying power. Jeff’s experience is proof that resilience\, strategic timing\, and a willingness to rethink your path often make the difference between stagnation and breakthrough. \n  \nOpening Remarks @ 9:30am PT\nJoin us for opening remarks with Dina Wagner\, Head of Member Success at Founders Network\, to get the latest updates from the Network and opportunities for getting involved. \n  \nKeynote Speaker @ 9:40am PT\nJeff Ready is a repeat founder and longtime CEO who has spent more than twenty five years creating and scaling technology companies. He began his career launching one of the earliest internet service providers in the Midwest before founding Radiate\, one of the first online advertising platforms. His next company\, Corvigo\, pioneered AI based anti spam technology and was acquired after raising funding from Sequoia Capital. \nJeff later founded Scale Computing and led the company from four people to more than two hundred employees and one hundred million in revenue. Scale became a leading alternative to VMware before its acquisition in 2024. Jeff is known for his product intuition\, marketing driven leadership style\, and ability to guide companies through long market cycles and complex strategic decisions. \nHe is a frequent speaker on entrepreneurship and has presented frameworks on fundraising\, company building\, and the founder mindset to audiences ranging from universities to industry conferences. Jeff holds a degree in computer science from Rose Hulman Institute of Technology. \n  \nStage-Based Roundtables @ 10:30am PT \n  \nComplimentary Ticket:\nAre you a full-time tech founder? Be our guest! We’re making our events available to tech founders everywhere. Enjoy a complimentary ticket to come learn from fellow tech founders\, partners and investors. Already used your complimentary guest pass? Request an invite to see if you qualify for membership. \n  \nAbout Founders Network: \nFounded in 2011\, Founders Network offers lifelong peer mentorship to over 600 tech startup founders globally. Our platform\, programs and high-touch service facilitate authentic experience sharing\, warm introductions and long-term professional relationships. Additional benefits include over $500k in startup discounts and promotion to 2\,000 newsletter readers. Members are located in San Francisco\, New York City\, Los Angeles\, Vancouver\, Toronto\, London and other tech hubs. Each month our Membership Committee admits a new cohort of full-time tech founders who are nominated by an existing member. Learn more about us here \nConfidentiality Policy \nAll information shared within Founders Network is strictly confidential. We are built on a foundation of trust\, and the community takes confidentiality seriously. Investors\, members\, and staff all share experiences and opinions off the record. In this roundtable forum\, we continue to model our fnValues of Reciprocity\, Humility\, Authenticity and Inclusivity. Read more about our Privacy Policy here.
URL:https://foundersnetwork.com/function/from-dot-com-lessons-to-100m-in-revenue-the-founder-journey-of-jeff-ready/
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://foundersnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/1_15-Jeff-Ready-Eventbrite-scaled.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20251210T093000
DTEND;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20251210T103000
DTSTAMP:20260501T113354
CREATED:20251106T201946Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20251117T231333Z
UID:24466-1765359000-1765362600@foundersnetwork.com
SUMMARY:Expand Your Leadership Capacity – Understanding Reactive Tendencies
DESCRIPTION: \n\n\nAs a founder\, how you lead under pressure can make or break your team’s performance. In this interactive session\, Farah Hussain — former PayPal operator and now a certified executive coach to founders and their teams — will explore how fear and anxiety can unconsciously drive reactive leadership behaviors that derail progress and damage relationships. \nDrawing on her experience at PayPal through its IPO and coaching founders from pre-seed through Series D\, Farah will unpack what reactive tendencies are\, how to recognize them in yourself and your team\, and why addressing them is critical for building resilient\, high-performing organizations. \nYou’ll walk away with practical frameworks and tools to help you shift from reactive to creative leadership — leading from purpose\, not pressure — and creating the conditions for trust\, clarity\, and sustainable growth within your startup. \nThis event is hosted by the fnWomen’s Leadership Committee\, whose mission is to empower and elevate women entrepreneurs. Together\, we’re building a community rooted in support\, collaboration\, and shared success. \nFacilitated by: \nAmy T. Wister\, Chair of the fnWomen’s Leadership Committee \nHeather Rhyker\, fnAustin Chapter Membership Chair \n  \nAbout the Speaker: \nFarah Hussain was a former fintech operator and current certified executive coach to founders and their teams. Farah was at PayPal through its IPO\, and grew the business globally through its Consumer\, SMB\, Enterprise\, and Channel Partner audiences. She’s coached early and growth stage start-ups spanning pre-seed through Series D\, guiding executives to expand their leadership capacity to include competencies that span the people and the systems parts of building great businesses. She’s been featured in Forbes\, has spoken at Money 20/20 and Startup Boston Week\, and has given talks at other communities and accelerators. She has three prominent coaching certifications and additional training in positive intelligence and organization and relationship-systems coaching. \n  \nComplimentary Ticket:\nAre you a full-time tech founder? Be our guest! We’re making our events available to tech founders everywhere. Enjoy a complimentary ticket to come learn from fellow tech founders\, partners and investors. Already used your complimentary guest pass? Request an invite to see if you qualify for membership. \n  \nAbout Founders Network: \nFounded in 2011\, Founders Network offers lifelong peer mentorship to over 600 tech startup founders globally. Our platform\, programs and high-touch service facilitate authentic experience sharing\, warm introductions and long-term professional relationships. Additional benefits include over $500k in startup discounts and promotion to 2\,000 newsletter readers. Members are located in San Francisco\, New York City\, Los Angeles\, Vancouver\, Toronto\, London and other tech hubs. Each month our Membership Committee admits a new cohort of full-time tech founders who are nominated by an existing member. Learn more about us here \nConfidentiality Policy \nAll information shared within Founders Network is strictly confidential. We are built on a foundation of trust\, and the community takes confidentiality seriously. Investors\, members\, and staff all share experiences and opinions off the record. In this roundtable forum\, we continue to model our fnValues of Reciprocity\, Humility\, Authenticity and Inclusivity. Read more about our Privacy Policy here.
URL:https://foundersnetwork.com/function/expand-your-leadership-capacity-understanding-reactive-tendencies/
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END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20251209T093000
DTEND;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20251209T110000
DTSTAMP:20260501T113354
CREATED:20251030T012622Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20251030T014412Z
UID:24462-1765272600-1765278000@foundersnetwork.com
SUMMARY:Building for the Buyout: How Manta Engineered Its Exit to IBM
DESCRIPTION:Tomas Kratky will share candid insights on go-to-market strategy\, enterprise sales\, and optimizing for a strategic exit.\n\n\nSome founders build for IPOs. Others build for freedom. In this fireside chat\, Tomas Kratky\, founder and former CEO of Manta\, shares how he intentionally designed his startup’s path toward a strategic acquisition rather than a public listing—culminating in Manta’s successful exit to IBM in 2023. \nTomas will unpack how a deliberate partnership strategy turned competitors into suitors\, including how his team “grew on the back of” enterprise giants like Informatica\, SAP\, IBM\, and Collibra by targeting their customers and exposing their weaknesses in the process. \nHe’ll also dive into the realities of selling as a small startup to Fortune 500 clients—how a handful of large enterprise contracts can both accelerate and endanger growth\, and the hard lessons learned in balancing customer demands with long-term product vision. \nExpect candid insights on go-to-market strategy\, enterprise sales\, and optimizing for a strategic exit from a founder who’s lived it. \n  \nOpening Remarks @ 9:30am PT\nJoin us for opening remarks with Dina Wagner\, Head of Member Success at Founders Network\, to get the latest updates from the Network and opportunities for getting involved. \n  \nKeynote Speaker @ 9:40am PT\nTomas Kratky is the founder and former CEO of Manta\, a leading data lineage platform that helps enterprises gain transparency and trust in their data environments. Tomas led Manta from its roots as a consulting project in Prague to a global enterprise software company backed by Bessemer Venture Partners and Credo Ventures\, culminating in its acquisition by IBM in 2023. \nOver more than a decade as a founder\, Tomas has navigated the full entrepreneurial journey—from bootstrapping and raising venture capital to scaling internationally and achieving a successful strategic exit. Now based between Prague and San Francisco\, he serves as an angel investor and mentor\, helping founders master go-to-market strategy and enterprise expansion. \n  \nStage-Based Roundtables @ 10:30am PT \n  \nComplimentary Ticket:\nAre you a full-time tech founder? Be our guest! We’re making our events available to tech founders everywhere. Enjoy a complimentary ticket to come learn from fellow tech founders\, partners and investors. Already used your complimentary guest pass? Request an invite to see if you qualify for membership. \n  \nAbout Founders Network: \nFounded in 2011\, Founders Network offers lifelong peer mentorship to over 600 tech startup founders globally. Our platform\, programs and high-touch service facilitate authentic experience sharing\, warm introductions and long-term professional relationships. Additional benefits include over $500k in startup discounts and promotion to 2\,000 newsletter readers. Members are located in San Francisco\, New York City\, Los Angeles\, Vancouver\, Toronto\, London and other tech hubs. Each month our Membership Committee admits a new cohort of full-time tech founders who are nominated by an existing member. Learn more about us here \nConfidentiality Policy \nAll information shared within Founders Network is strictly confidential. We are built on a foundation of trust\, and the community takes confidentiality seriously. Investors\, members\, and staff all share experiences and opinions off the record. In this roundtable forum\, we continue to model our fnValues of Reciprocity\, Humility\, Authenticity and Inclusivity. Read more about our Privacy Policy here.
URL:https://foundersnetwork.com/function/building-for-the-buyout-how-manta-engineered-its-exit-to-ibm/
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://foundersnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/12_9-Tomas-Kratky-Eventbrite-scaled.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20251204T093000
DTEND;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20251204T103000
DTSTAMP:20260501T113354
CREATED:20251001T032700Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20251001T033532Z
UID:24415-1764840600-1764844200@foundersnetwork.com
SUMMARY:Boost Dev Velocity: Without Breaking Things with Carlos Sanabria
DESCRIPTION: \n\n\nStruggling to move fast and keep quality intact? You’re not alone.  \nJoin us for a live session tailored for all the vibe‑code‑curious founders out there. We’ll dig into real strategies to accelerate (or understand) your dev cycles responsibly. \nYou’ll hear how to: \n\nOptimize your workflows and sprints to eliminate bottlenecks\nAutomate repetitive tasks (CI/CD\, testing\, etc.) without introducing fragility\nPrioritize high-impact features so every line of code moves the needle\nMaintain quality and scalability while growing fast\n\nCarlos Ignacio Sanabria from Designli will bring hands-on experience helping startups scale dev operations efficiently. \nBring your questions\, pain points\, and curiosity to find the balance between speed and stability. \n  \nAbout the Speaker \nCarlos Sanabria is a technology professional specializing in software development strategy and SaaS growth. He partners with B2B SaaS founders to strengthen their platforms\, resolve technical debt\, and accelerate delivery by structuring dedicated product teams. With deep experience in code audits\, architecture reviews\, and agile processes\, Carlos connects business goals with the right technical expertise. Before moving into tech\, he spent years as the piano man in a local bar\, playing for crowds and learning how to read the room. That ability to connect with people now defines his approach to helping founders build products that resonate with their users. \n  \nComplimentary Ticket:\nAre you a full-time tech founder? Be our guest! We’re making our events available to tech founders everywhere. Enjoy a complimentary ticket to come learn from fellow tech founders\, partners and investors. Already used your complimentary guest pass? Request an invite to see if you qualify for membership. \n  \nAbout Founders Network: \nFounded in 2011\, Founders Network offers lifelong peer mentorship to over 600 tech startup founders globally. Our platform\, programs and high-touch service facilitate authentic experience sharing\, warm introductions and long-term professional relationships. Additional benefits include over $500k in startup discounts and promotion to 2\,000 newsletter readers. Members are located in San Francisco\, New York City\, Los Angeles\, Vancouver\, Toronto\, London and other tech hubs. Each month our Membership Committee admits a new cohort of full-time tech founders who are nominated by an existing member. Learn more about us here \nConfidentiality Policy \nAll information shared within Founders Network is strictly confidential. We are built on a foundation of trust\, and the community takes confidentiality seriously. Investors\, members\, and staff all share experiences and opinions off the record. In this roundtable forum\, we continue to model our fnValues of Reciprocity\, Humility\, Authenticity and Inclusivity. Read more about our Privacy Policy here.
URL:https://foundersnetwork.com/function/boost-dev-velocity-without-breaking-things-with-carlos-sanabria/
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END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20251120T093000
DTEND;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20251120T110000
DTSTAMP:20260501T113354
CREATED:20250913T064253Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20251117T205933Z
UID:24401-1763631000-1763636400@foundersnetwork.com
SUMMARY:Startup Lessons and Growth Strategies: Essential Insights for Founders
DESCRIPTION: \n\n\nBuilding a startup is equal parts discipline\, resilience\, adaptability\, and vision. In this session\, we’ll share the bearings we gain as first-time founders — from getting an early product to market\, to scaling with discipline\, to navigating exits.  \nTogether\, we’ll explore the lessons that matter most: how to prioritize when everything feels urgent\, how to read market signals without getting distracted\, and why going deep with the right customer persona is often the fastest path to momentum. \nWe’ll also look at some of the less obvious but critical pieces — keeping exit options alive from day one\, aligning incentives across the org so everyone rows in the same direction\, and building strong co-founder dynamics that help us survive the hardest moments. \nFinally\, we’ll dive into practical strategies: how to de-risk at every stage\, assemble a team that can ship a real MVP\, validate with customers on the path to product-market fit\, and work with the right type of investors at the right stage. \nWhether we’re building our first company or our next\, this conversation is about frameworks\, scars\, and stories that help us navigate uncertainty and make sharper decisions along the way. \n  \nOpening Remarks @ 9:30am PT\nJoin us for opening remarks with Dina Wagner\, Head of Member Success at Founders Network\, to get the latest updates from the Network and opportunities for getting involved. \n  \nKeynote Speaker @ 9:40am PT\nSurbhi Rathore is the co-founder and former CEO of Symbl.ai\, a real-time conversational intelligence platform. She scaled the product\, raised $33M in venture funding\, grew through strong product-led adoption\, and led Symbl through its acquisition by Invoca in 2025. \nShe now serves as VP of AI Products & Strategy at Invoca\, where she leads the company’s AI platform and multimodal agent systems across voice\, messaging\, and key marketing workflows. Her work focuses on building AI systems that are contextual\, reliable\, and usable at enterprise scale. \nSurbhi’s journey spans deep engineering roots\, building developer platforms from the ground up\, and navigating the founder-to-operator transition as an immigrant. She brings a pragmatic lens to product-market fit\, team clarity\, and scaling AI products in fast-moving markets—grounded in lessons from building in hard environments and driving real impact across products\, teams\, and customers. \n  \nStage-Based Roundtables @ 10:30am PT \n  \nComplimentary Ticket:\nAre you a full-time tech founder? Be our guest! We’re making our events available to tech founders everywhere. Enjoy a complimentary ticket to come learn from fellow tech founders\, partners and investors. Already used your complimentary guest pass? Request an invite to see if you qualify for membership. \n  \nAbout Founders Network: \nFounded in 2011\, Founders Network offers lifelong peer mentorship to over 600 tech startup founders globally. Our platform\, programs and high-touch service facilitate authentic experience sharing\, warm introductions and long-term professional relationships. Additional benefits include over $500k in startup discounts and promotion to 2\,000 newsletter readers. Members are located in San Francisco\, New York City\, Los Angeles\, Vancouver\, Toronto\, London and other tech hubs. Each month our Membership Committee admits a new cohort of full-time tech founders who are nominated by an existing member. Learn more about us here \nConfidentiality Policy \nAll information shared within Founders Network is strictly confidential. We are built on a foundation of trust\, and the community takes confidentiality seriously. Investors\, members\, and staff all share experiences and opinions off the record. In this roundtable forum\, we continue to model our fnValues of Reciprocity\, Humility\, Authenticity and Inclusivity. Read more about our Privacy Policy here.
URL:https://foundersnetwork.com/function/startup-lessons-and-growth-strategies-essential-insights-for-founders/
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END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20251106T093000
DTEND;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20251106T110000
DTSTAMP:20260501T113354
CREATED:20250921T043029Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250921T045015Z
UID:24407-1762421400-1762426800@foundersnetwork.com
SUMMARY:Lessons from the Founder Behind DoubleClick (Google) and Graphiq (Amazon)
DESCRIPTION: \n\n\nKevin O’Connor’s career is a masterclass in resilience\, vision\, and the power of spotting mega-trends before they take hold. With over 30 years of experience as a founder\, Kevin has built multiple companies from the ground up\, including DoubleClick\, the internet advertising giant acquired by Google for $3.1 billion\, and Graphiq\, acquired by Amazon. Along the way\, he has navigated the highs of billion-dollar exits\, the challenges of timing and market shifts\, and the hard realities of building and scaling teams in uncertain environments. \nIn this keynote\, Kevin will share his journey from leaving a PhD program to launch his first startup\, to shaping the future of digital advertising with DoubleClick\, to leading ventures like Graphiq that simplified access to the world’s knowledge. He will also reveal the frameworks that have guided him: how to identify problems worth solving\, how to distinguish between short-lived fads and enduring mega-trends\, and how persistence and adaptability fuel long-term success. \nFor founders\, Kevin’s story is more than history. It is proof that success comes not from one breakthrough\, but from the willingness to reinvent\, to learn\, and to keep moving forward. Join us for an inspiring conversation with a founder who has built\, rebuilt\, and reshaped industries across three decades of technology. \n  \nOpening Remarks @ 9:30am PT\nJoin us for opening remarks with Dina Wagner\, Head of Member Success at Founders Network\, to get the latest updates from the Network and opportunities for getting involved. \n  \nKeynote Speaker @ 9:40am PT\nKevin O’Connor has 30+ years of experience in the tech space – both as an entrepreneur and investor. Kevin is currently the General Partner at ScOp Venture Capital in Santa Barbara. Just prior\, he was the CEO of Graphiq (acquired by Amazon)\, whose mission was to drastically simplify the process of obtaining the world’s knowledge. Kevin was the founder\, CEO\, and chairman of internet advertisement-technology giant\, DoubleClick\, which was acquired by Google in 2007 for $3.1 billion. Prior to DoubleClick\, Kevin founded and served as the vice president of research for Cincinnati-based Intercomputer Communications Corporation (ICC)\, which was acquired by DCA in 1992. Kevin remained with DCA as the vice president of research until 1995 when he left to found DoubleClick. \nFrom 1995 – 2009\, on breaks from building his own companies\, Kevin started O’Connor Ventures\, investing in companies such as Procore\, Internet Security Systems\, 1-800-Flowers.com\, HotJobs\, and MeetUp. Kevin obtained a Bachelors of Science degree in electrical engineering with honors from University of Michigan. Kevin currently resides in Santa Barbara\, California. \n  \nStage-Based Roundtables @ 10:30am PT \n  \nComplimentary Ticket:\nAre you a full-time tech founder? Be our guest! We’re making our events available to tech founders everywhere. Enjoy a complimentary ticket to come learn from fellow tech founders\, partners and investors. Already used your complimentary guest pass? Request an invite to see if you qualify for membership. \n  \nAbout Founders Network: \nFounded in 2011\, Founders Network offers lifelong peer mentorship to over 600 tech startup founders globally. Our platform\, programs and high-touch service facilitate authentic experience sharing\, warm introductions and long-term professional relationships. Additional benefits include over $500k in startup discounts and promotion to 2\,000 newsletter readers. Members are located in San Francisco\, New York City\, Los Angeles\, Vancouver\, Toronto\, London and other tech hubs. Each month our Membership Committee admits a new cohort of full-time tech founders who are nominated by an existing member. Learn more about us here \nConfidentiality Policy \nAll information shared within Founders Network is strictly confidential. We are built on a foundation of trust\, and the community takes confidentiality seriously. Investors\, members\, and staff all share experiences and opinions off the record. In this roundtable forum\, we continue to model our fnValues of Reciprocity\, Humility\, Authenticity and Inclusivity. Read more about our Privacy Policy here.
URL:https://foundersnetwork.com/function/lessons-from-the-founder-behind-doubleclick-google-and-graphiq-amazon/
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END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20251105T180000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20251105T200000
DTSTAMP:20260501T113354
CREATED:20251009T021349Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20251009T030843Z
UID:24426-1762365600-1762372800@foundersnetwork.com
SUMMARY:Founder Night Out: In-Person Startup Networking in Chicago
DESCRIPTION: \n\n\nIf you have a startup idea or a growing company and you want to expand your network in Chicago\, then join us for the in-person ‘Founder Night Out’ event. \nAt this informal networking event\, you can connect with other early-stage entrepreneurs\, startup mentors\, and advisors from the Founder Institute network. Socialize over drinks with potential co-founders\, advisors\, mentors and partners. Most of all\, get away from the computer and have fun! \nWho should Attend?\n\nAnyone interested in entrepreneurship\nAnyone who has a pre-seed tech company or a startup idea\nAnyone interested in joining a startup accelerator\n\nWhat is the Agenda?\n\nNetworking\, Socializing and Drinks\n\nVenue: The Yard Fulton Market \nAddress: Floor 6\, 1101 W Lake St\, Chicago\, IL 60607 \n  \nfnChicago Chapter Leadership Team\n\nMembership Chair: Andy Cwik\nGrowth Chair: Jason Jacobsohn\n\n  \nAbout Founders Network: \nFounded in 2011\, Founders Network offers lifelong peer mentorship to over 600 tech startup founders globally. Our platform\, programs and high-touch service facilitate authentic experience sharing\, warm introductions and long-term professional relationships. Additional benefits include over $500k in startup discounts and promotion to 2\,000 newsletter readers. Members are located in San Francisco\, New York City\, Los Angeles\, Vancouver\, Toronto\, London and other tech hubs. Each month our Membership Committee admits a new cohort of full-time tech founders who are nominated by an existing member. Learn more about us here \nConfidentiality Policy \nAll information shared within Founders Network is strictly confidential. We are built on a foundation of trust\, and the community takes confidentiality seriously. Investors\, members\, and staff all share experiences and opinions off the record. In this roundtable forum\, we continue to model our fnValues of Reciprocity\, Humility\, Authenticity and Inclusivity. Read more about our Privacy Policy here.
URL:https://foundersnetwork.com/function/founder-night-out-in-person-startup-networking-in-chicago-2/
LOCATION:The Yard Fulton Market – Coworking Chicago\, 1101 West Lake Street\, Chicago\, IL\, 60607\, United States
CATEGORIES:Chapter Events,Chicago
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END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20251023T180000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20251023T210000
DTSTAMP:20260501T113354
CREATED:20251004T062357Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20251009T022200Z
UID:24418-1761242400-1761253200@foundersnetwork.com
SUMMARY:Founder Night Out: In-Person Startup Networking in Chicago
DESCRIPTION: \n\n\nIf you have a startup idea or a growing company and you want to expand your network in Chicago\, then join us for the in-person ‘Founder Night Out’ event. \nAt this informal networking event\, you can connect with other early-stage entrepreneurs\, startup mentors\, and advisors from the Founder Institute network. Socialize over drinks with potential co-founders\, advisors\, mentors and partners. Most of all\, get away from the computer and have fun! \nWho should Attend?\n\nAnyone interested in entrepreneurship\nAnyone who has a pre-seed tech company or a startup idea\nAnyone interested in joining a startup accelerator\n\nWhat is the Agenda?\n\nNetworking\, Socializing and Drinks\n\nVenue: Moe’s Cantina – River North \nAddress: 155 W Kinzie St\, Chicago\, IL 60654 \n  \nfnChicago Chapter Leadership Team\n\nMembership Chair: Andy Cwik\nGrowth Chair: Jason Jacobsohn\n\n  \nAbout Founders Network: \nFounded in 2011\, Founders Network offers lifelong peer mentorship to over 600 tech startup founders globally. Our platform\, programs and high-touch service facilitate authentic experience sharing\, warm introductions and long-term professional relationships. Additional benefits include over $500k in startup discounts and promotion to 2\,000 newsletter readers. Members are located in San Francisco\, New York City\, Los Angeles\, Vancouver\, Toronto\, London and other tech hubs. Each month our Membership Committee admits a new cohort of full-time tech founders who are nominated by an existing member. Learn more about us here \nConfidentiality Policy \nAll information shared within Founders Network is strictly confidential. We are built on a foundation of trust\, and the community takes confidentiality seriously. Investors\, members\, and staff all share experiences and opinions off the record. In this roundtable forum\, we continue to model our fnValues of Reciprocity\, Humility\, Authenticity and Inclusivity. Read more about our Privacy Policy here.
URL:https://foundersnetwork.com/function/founder-night-out-in-person-startup-networking-in-chicago/
LOCATION:Moe’s Cantina – River North\, 155 West Kinzie Street\, Chicago\, IL\, 60654\, United States
CATEGORIES:Chapter Events,Chicago
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://foundersnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/fnChicago-Founder-Night-Out-Eventbrite-scaled.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20251007T093000
DTEND;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20251007T110000
DTSTAMP:20260501T113354
CREATED:20250804T220847Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250804T221255Z
UID:24383-1759829400-1759834800@foundersnetwork.com
SUMMARY:The Cofounder Code: Building Partnerships That Scale
DESCRIPTION: \n\n\nWhat makes or breaks a startup often comes down to one thing: the cofounder dynamic. \nJoin Tanis Jorge\, serial entrepreneur and cofounder of identity unicorn Trulioo\, for an inside look at what it really takes to build lasting cofounder partnerships. With two decades of experience launching and scaling data-driven ventures\, Tanis has seen how even the strongest business ideas can fall apart without alignment at the top. \nNow\, as founder of The Cofounder’s Hub and author of The Cofounder’s Handbook (a USA Today Top 10 Business Book for 2024)\, Tanis is pioneering new tools to help founders get this relationship right. She’ll share her journey from startup to unicorn\, and introduce practical resources she’s developed\, including an AI-powered cofounder compatibility assessment\, a research-backed equity calculator created in partnership with Northeastern University\, and a framework for building trust\, clarity\, and resilience between partners. \nWhether you’re currently building with a cofounder or planning to bring one on\, this session will offer fresh perspective and actionable strategies for one of the most overlooked but mission-critical aspects of your startup journey. \n  \nOpening Remarks @ 9:30am PT\nJoin us for opening remarks with Dina Wagner\, Head of Member Success at Founders Network\, to get the latest updates from the Network and opportunities for getting involved. \n  \nKeynote Speaker @ 9:40am PT\nTanis Jorge is a leading authority on cofounder partnerships and a seasoned tech entrepreneur with a track record of building and scaling successful ventures from startup to exit. \nOver the past two decades\, Tanis has cofounded and grown four data-driven companies\, culminating in Trulioo—now the world’s leading identity verification company—where she served as cofounder and Chief Operating Officer. Under her leadership\, she laid the groundwork and built the foundation for what would become a $1.65B unicorn\, following a record-breaking Series D raise. She is widely recognized for her pivotal role in shaping Trulioo into one of the most innovative and influential companies in global identity technology. \nToday\, Tanis is widely regarded as the thought leader on cofounder relationships. She is the author of The Cofounder’s Handbook (named one of USA Today’s Top 10 Business Books to Scale Your Business in 2024) and the founder of The Cofounder’s Hub\, a first-of-its-kind platform helping entrepreneurial partners launch\, build\, and successfully exit businesses together. \nIn addition to her advisory work\, Tanis is an active angel investor\, backing pre-seed and early-stage startups with a focus on strong cofounder dynamics and scalable potential. She is a sought-after advisor to both founders and investors\, offering deep insight into startup relationships\, operational strategy\, and founder alignment from pre-seed through Series D. \nTanis has spoken on center stage at global tech conferences such as Web Summit Lisbon and Web Summit Vancouver\, and been invited to share her expertise with organizations including Tiger 21\, YPO\, and EO. She’s also a frequent podcast guest and contributor to discussions on the human dynamics behind entrepreneurial success. \nBeyond business\, Tanis is deeply committed to causes she believes in. She serves on the Board of Ally Global\, an organization dedicated to fighting human trafficking and supporting survivors. She also sits on the Board of Unbound\, a trailblazing nonprofit reimagining education for the next generation. \nTanis lives in Vancouver\, BC with her husband\, David Jorge—MasterChef Canada Season 2 winner—and their two sons. A lifelong learner and mentor\, she also founded Live Learn Launch Academy\, an entrepreneurship-focused private school where she continues to mentor students. \n  \nStage-Based Roundtables @ 10:30am PT \n  \nComplimentary Ticket:\nAre you a full-time tech founder? Be our guest! We’re making our events available to tech founders everywhere. Enjoy a complimentary ticket to come learn from fellow tech founders\, partners and investors. Already used your complimentary guest pass? Request an invite to see if you qualify for membership. \n  \nAbout Founders Network: \nFounded in 2011\, Founders Network offers lifelong peer mentorship to over 600 tech startup founders globally. Our platform\, programs and high-touch service facilitate authentic experience sharing\, warm introductions and long-term professional relationships. Additional benefits include over $500k in startup discounts and promotion to 2\,000 newsletter readers. Members are located in San Francisco\, New York City\, Los Angeles\, Vancouver\, Toronto\, London and other tech hubs. Each month our Membership Committee admits a new cohort of full-time tech founders who are nominated by an existing member. Learn more about us here \nConfidentiality Policy \nAll information shared within Founders Network is strictly confidential. We are built on a foundation of trust\, and the community takes confidentiality seriously. Investors\, members\, and staff all share experiences and opinions off the record. In this roundtable forum\, we continue to model our fnValues of Reciprocity\, Humility\, Authenticity and Inclusivity. Read more about our Privacy Policy here.
URL:https://foundersnetwork.com/function/the-cofounder-code-building-partnerships-that-scale/
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://foundersnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/10_7-Tanis-Jorge-Eventbrite-scaled.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20251002T093000
DTEND;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20251002T110000
DTSTAMP:20260501T113354
CREATED:20250801T015925Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250911T161009Z
UID:24377-1759397400-1759402800@foundersnetwork.com
SUMMARY:Beyond the Hustle: Inner Growth as a Founder’s Superpower
DESCRIPTION: \n\n\nWhat if the biggest barrier to your startup’s success isn’t your product or pitch—but your own inner state? \nJoin Matthias Schmitt\, founder-turned-coach and Entrepreneur Magazine–featured speaker\, for a transformative session that goes beyond the standard startup playbook. From co-founding a €20M wealthtech platform and building Europe’s largest student winter festival\, to experiencing burnout at 29 and embarking on a journey through meditation\, indigenous wisdom\, and trauma-informed coaching\, Matthias reveals how inner growth became his ultimate advantage. \nThis session dives into the silent struggles many founders face—imposter syndrome\, work-life imbalance\, and the pressure of tying self-worth to startup performance. Matthias shares how nervous system regulation and trauma-informed leadership tools can unlock clarity\, resilience\, and sustainable success. He’ll explore how to maintain momentum while cultivating self-awareness\, and why personal growth isn’t a distraction from building—it’s the foundation. \nWhether you’re just starting out or navigating a high-growth phase\, this conversation will help you rethink success—starting from the inside out. \n  \nOpening Remarks @ 9:30am PT\nJoin us for opening remarks with Dina Wagner\, Head of Member Success at Founders Network\, to get the latest updates from the Network and opportunities for getting involved. \n  \nKeynote Speaker @ 9:40am PT\nMatthias Schmitt is a transformational coach\, seasoned entrepreneur\, and keynote speaker known for helping founders and executives unlock peak performance without sacrificing personal well-being. \nHe has co-founded three successful ventures\, including Wealthpilot\, a B2B2C FinTech SaaS platform serving over 100\,000 customers and raising over €20M\, and Skigaudi\, Germany’s largest winter festival brand for students. With deep experience leading sales teams\, scaling operations\, and navigating high-stakes growth\, Matthias knows firsthand the pressure founders face at every stage of the journey. \nBut after reaching the top\, he burned out. That pivotal moment sparked a personal transformation that led him to study indigenous wisdom traditions\, meditation\, NLP\, behavioral science\, and trauma-informed nervous system coaching. \nToday\, Matthias coaches high-performing leaders and delivers impactful keynotes across Europe and the U.S.\, inspiring audiences to redefine success\, lead with self-awareness\, and scale sustainably. His signature keynote\, “Emotional Mastery: The Secret Key to Peak Performance Without Burnout\,” offers actionable strategies for resilience\, clarity\, and meaningful growth. \nWhether he’s working with startup founders post-exit or advising executives on leadership transformation\, Matthias helps people turn success into significance—starting from within. \n  \nStage-Based Roundtables @ 10:30am PT \n  \nComplimentary Ticket:\nAre you a full-time tech founder? Be our guest! We’re making our events available to tech founders everywhere. Enjoy a complimentary ticket to come learn from fellow tech founders\, partners and investors. Already used your complimentary guest pass? Request an invite to see if you qualify for membership. \n  \nAbout Founders Network: \nFounded in 2011\, Founders Network offers lifelong peer mentorship to over 600 tech startup founders globally. Our platform\, programs and high-touch service facilitate authentic experience sharing\, warm introductions and long-term professional relationships. Additional benefits include over $500k in startup discounts and promotion to 2\,000 newsletter readers. Members are located in San Francisco\, New York City\, Los Angeles\, Vancouver\, Toronto\, London and other tech hubs. Each month our Membership Committee admits a new cohort of full-time tech founders who are nominated by an existing member. Learn more about us here \nConfidentiality Policy \nAll information shared within Founders Network is strictly confidential. We are built on a foundation of trust\, and the community takes confidentiality seriously. Investors\, members\, and staff all share experiences and opinions off the record. In this roundtable forum\, we continue to model our fnValues of Reciprocity\, Humility\, Authenticity and Inclusivity. Read more about our Privacy Policy here.
URL:https://foundersnetwork.com/function/beyond-the-hustle-inner-growth-as-a-founders-superpower/
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://foundersnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/10_2-Matthias-Schmitt-Eventbrite-scaled.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20250911T093000
DTEND;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20250911T110000
DTSTAMP:20260501T113354
CREATED:20250222T040153Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250426T005349Z
UID:24033-1757583000-1757588400@foundersnetwork.com
SUMMARY:Smart Scaling: Lessons on Customer Discovery & CEO Involvement
DESCRIPTION: \n\n\nIn this session\, Vincent Martinez\, co-founder of Nanoleq\, a Swiss-based smart textiles company specializing in stretchable electronics for health monitoring\, will share invaluable lessons from his entrepreneurial journey.  \nIn November 2024\, Nanoleq was acquired by Myant Corp.\, a Canadian leader in advanced materials for healthcare. This strategic acquisition aims to integrate Nanoleq’s advanced sensor technologies into Myant’s expanding portfolio of medical devices\, enhancing Myant’s mission to pioneer the future of connected health. \nVincent will dive into the pivotal lessons that drove Nanoleq’s success: how early customer feedback shapes product-market fit\, why CEOs need to be directly involved in sales\, and the dangers of scaling too early. Whether you’re building a B2B or B2C product\, Vincent’s insights into knowing your market\, finding the right use case\, and carefully scaling before achieving product-market fit can help avoid costly missteps and set your startup up for sustainable growth. \nThis session will be a must for founders and CEOs looking to scale with precision and build products that truly meet market needs. Don’t miss out on these game-changing insights from a successful founder who has lived through both the challenges and triumphs of growing a startup. \n  \nOpening Remarks @ 9:30am PT\nJoin us for opening remarks with Dina Wagner\, Head of Member Success at Founders Network\, to get the latest updates from the Network and opportunities for getting involved. \n  \nKeynote Speaker @ 9:40am PT\nVincent Martinez is the co-founder of Nanoleq (acquired by Myant)\, a pioneering smart textiles company that developed stretchable electronics for health monitoring. Born in France and based in Zurich for the past 12 years\, Vincent holds a material engineering degree from UTT (France) and a PhD in micro-technologies from ETH Zurich. Throughout his career\, Vincent has demonstrated a passion for advancing our understanding of the human body through technology. His optimism and curiosity have driven his work\, as he strives to build meaningful products that contribute to a better knowledge of ourselves. \nSince founding Nanoleq\, Vincent has been responsible for the company’s vision\, overall strategy\, management\, fundraising\, and business development. Under his leadership\, Nanoleq pivoted from a B2B focus on manufacturing sensors for textiles to launching the Oxa Life product—a B2C wearable for breathing and ECG monitoring. Nanoleq’s acquisition by Myant six months ago marked a new phase\, where Vincent’s strategic vision helped accelerate user growth and recurring revenue. \nIn addition to his entrepreneurial accomplishments\, Vincent has been recognized with multiple awards\, including the ETH Pioneer Fellowship (2016) and the De Vigier Award (2018). He leads a dedicated team committed to improving health through the next generation of monitoring textiles. \n  \nStage-Based Roundtables @ 10:30am PT \n  \nComplimentary Ticket:\nAre you a full-time tech founder? Be our guest! We’re making our events available to tech founders everywhere. Enjoy a complimentary ticket to come learn from fellow tech founders\, partners and investors. Already used your complimentary guest pass? Request an invite to see if you qualify for membership. \n  \nAbout Founders Network: \nFounded in 2011\, Founders Network offers lifelong peer mentorship to over 600 tech startup founders globally. Our platform\, programs and high-touch service facilitate authentic experience sharing\, warm introductions and long-term professional relationships. Additional benefits include over $500k in startup discounts and promotion to 2\,000 newsletter readers. Members are located in San Francisco\, New York City\, Los Angeles\, Vancouver\, Toronto\, London and other tech hubs. Each month our Membership Committee admits a new cohort of full-time tech founders who are nominated by an existing member. Learn more about us here \nConfidentiality Policy \nAll information shared within Founders Network is strictly confidential. We are built on a foundation of trust\, and the community takes confidentiality seriously. Investors\, members\, and staff all share experiences and opinions off the record. In this roundtable forum\, we continue to model our fnValues of Reciprocity\, Humility\, Authenticity and Inclusivity. Read more about our Privacy Policy here.
URL:https://foundersnetwork.com/function/smart-scaling-lessons-on-customer-discovery-ceo-involvement/
LOCATION:Virtual | Hosted by Founders Network (San Francisco HQ) | Featuring Vincent Martinez\, Zurich Chapter
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END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20250904T090000
DTEND;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20250904T100000
DTSTAMP:20260501T113354
CREATED:20250627T170857Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250627T172023Z
UID:24357-1756976400-1756980000@foundersnetwork.com
SUMMARY:fnWLC Presents: All Things Fundraising with Kristen Craft
DESCRIPTION: \n\n\nFundraising is one of the most pivotal — and often daunting — parts of the founder journey. Whether you’re navigating your first pre-seed round or preparing for a Series A\, understanding how to align with investor expectations is critical. \nJoin Kristen Craft\, VP of Partnerships at Fidelity Private Shares\, for a tactical\, founder-first session on how to approach fundraising with confidence and clarity. \nIn this workshop\, you’ll learn: \n\nThe latest fundraising trends by stage\, from pre-seed to Series B\nWhat investors expect at each stage — and how to meet (or exceed) that bar\nThe metrics that matter most and how to present your progress persuasively\nHow to build the right investor relationships before you’re even raising\nHow to get your cap table and data room investor-ready\n\n  \nExpect an honest\, practical conversation designed for founders who want to take control of their fundraising process. Walk away with real-world frameworks\, investor insight\, and next steps tailored to your stage. \nThis event is hosted by the fnWomen’s Leadership Committee\, whose mission is to empower and elevate women entrepreneurs. Together\, we’re building a community rooted in support\, collaboration\, and shared success. \nFacilitated by: \nAmy T. Wister\, Chair of the Women’s Leadership Committee \n  \nAbout the Speaker: \nKristen Craft brings deep startup roots to her role as VP of Partnerships at Fidelity Private Shares. In this role\, she’s building out Fidelity’s startup engagement platform\, supporting founders and investors with equity management tools\, fundraising strategy\, and go-to-market best practices. Prior to Fidelity\, Kristen was a founder herself\, and then a longtime startup operator. She enjoyed working on strategic partnerships and digital marketing\, predominantly in B2B SaaS companies. A Boston-area native\, Kristen holds a B.A. from Brown University\, an M.Ed. from Harvard University\, and an MBA from MIT Sloan. She’s particularly passionate about building community\, creating connections\, and supporting diverse founders. \n  \nComplimentary Ticket:\nAre you a full-time tech founder? Be our guest! We’re making our events available to tech founders everywhere. Enjoy a complimentary ticket to come learn from fellow tech founders\, partners and investors. Already used your complimentary guest pass? Request an invite to see if you qualify for membership. \n  \nAbout Founders Network: \nFounded in 2011\, Founders Network offers lifelong peer mentorship to over 600 tech startup founders globally. Our platform\, programs and high-touch service facilitate authentic experience sharing\, warm introductions and long-term professional relationships. Additional benefits include over $500k in startup discounts and promotion to 2\,000 newsletter readers. Members are located in San Francisco\, New York City\, Los Angeles\, Vancouver\, Toronto\, London and other tech hubs. Each month our Membership Committee admits a new cohort of full-time tech founders who are nominated by an existing member. Learn more about us here \nConfidentiality Policy \nAll information shared within Founders Network is strictly confidential. We are built on a foundation of trust\, and the community takes confidentiality seriously. Investors\, members\, and staff all share experiences and opinions off the record. In this roundtable forum\, we continue to model our fnValues of Reciprocity\, Humility\, Authenticity and Inclusivity. Read more about our Privacy Policy here.
URL:https://foundersnetwork.com/function/fnwlc-presents-all-things-fundraising-with-kristen-craft/
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://foundersnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/9_4-WLC-Kristen-Craft-Eventbrite.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20250826T100000
DTEND;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20250826T110000
DTSTAMP:20260501T113354
CREATED:20250716T193452Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250716T194302Z
UID:24370-1756202400-1756206000@foundersnetwork.com
SUMMARY:From Pivot to $10M Raise: Building Fondo with David Phillips
DESCRIPTION: \n\n\nWhat does it really take to build a venture-backed startup from the ground up?  \nJoin us for a candid conversation with David Phillips\, YC alum and CEO of Fondo\, as he shares his founder journey — from an early pivot out of BloomJoy to launching Fondo and scaling it to thousands of customers and a recent $10M raise. \nWe’ll dive into how David navigated product pivots\, founder-led sales\, early hiring\, and the mental game of building in the early stages — lessons that resonate with any founder scaling their first venture. \n  \nAbout the Speaker: \nDavid Phillips is a the founder and CEO of Fondo (YC W18)\, the #1 accounting platform for YC startups. After previously bootstrapping Hackbright Academy to an $18M acquisition\, David founded Fondo to automate bookkeeping\, tax\, and R&D credits for startups. Under his leadership\, Fondo has scaled to over 1\,000 customers and $10M in ARR\, helping founders save over $100M in taxes and thousands of hours on back-office work. David is also an angel investor in 100+ startups including Rippling\, Flexport\, and Liquid Death. \n  \nComplimentary Ticket:\nAre you a full-time tech founder? Be our guest! We’re making our events available to tech founders everywhere. Enjoy a complimentary ticket to come learn from fellow tech founders\, partners and investors. Already used your complimentary guest pass? Request an invite to see if you qualify for membership. \n  \nAbout Founders Network: \nFounded in 2011\, Founders Network offers lifelong peer mentorship to over 600 tech startup founders globally. Our platform\, programs and high-touch service facilitate authentic experience sharing\, warm introductions and long-term professional relationships. Additional benefits include over $500k in startup discounts and promotion to 2\,000 newsletter readers. Members are located in San Francisco\, New York City\, Los Angeles\, Vancouver\, Toronto\, London and other tech hubs. Each month our Membership Committee admits a new cohort of full-time tech founders who are nominated by an existing member. Learn more about us here \nConfidentiality Policy \nAll information shared within Founders Network is strictly confidential. We are built on a foundation of trust\, and the community takes confidentiality seriously. Investors\, members\, and staff all share experiences and opinions off the record. In this roundtable forum\, we continue to model our fnValues of Reciprocity\, Humility\, Authenticity and Inclusivity. Read more about our Privacy Policy here.
URL:https://foundersnetwork.com/function/from-pivot-to-10m-raise-building-fondo-with-david-phillips/
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END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Asia/Manila:20250819T093000
DTEND;TZID=Asia/Manila:20250819T110000
DTSTAMP:20260501T113354
CREATED:20250226T205336Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250426T005246Z
UID:24047-1755595800-1755601200@foundersnetwork.com
SUMMARY:Beyond the Idea: Elad Ben Meir on Building a Thriving Startup
DESCRIPTION: \n\n\nWhat separates startups that thrive from those that fail? According to Elad Ben Meir\, success isn’t just about having a great idea—it’s about the relationships\, strategy\, and discipline that fuel long-term growth. With over 15 years of experience leading high-growth companies and executing successful turnarounds\, Elad has transformed struggling businesses into thriving market leaders. \nHis approach underscores the importance of strong founder relationships\, comparing them to a marriage that requires continuous communication\, trust\, and alignment. Without this foundation\, even the most innovative startups can struggle. He also emphasizes the need for transparency at every level—founders\, management\, and investors—ensuring alignment and a shared vision for success. \nElad cautions against the dangers of overspending in pursuit of rapid growth. He advocates for a balanced approach\, making calculated investments that drive scale while maintaining financial discipline. He will also share his insights on choosing the right investors\, warning that big-name backers aren’t always the best fit if their vision\, culture\, or expectations don’t align with a startup’s long-term goals. \nDon’t miss this opportunity to gain valuable insights from Elad Ben Meir’s extensive experience in scaling high-growth startups and leading successful turnarounds. Whether you’re just starting out or navigating the complexities of growth\, his expertise in founder relationships\, communication\, financial discipline\, and investor alignment is invaluable. \n  \nOpening Remarks @ 9:30am PT\nJoin us for opening remarks with Dina Wagner\, Head of Member Success at Founders Network\, to get the latest updates from the Network and opportunities for getting involved. \n  \nKeynote Speaker @ 9:40am PT\nElad Ben-Meir is a seasoned entrepreneur\, CEO\, and turnaround specialist with a proven track record in scaling startups\, executing successful exits\, and revitalizing struggling businesses. As the CEO of SCADAfence\, he brings over 15 years of leadership experience in high-growth environments\, financial turnarounds\, and market repositioning. Previously\, he served as VP of Marketing and Strategic Accounts at CyberInt and VP of Marketing and Products at indeni. \nElad is known for leading companies through crisis situations\, securing strategic partnerships\, and driving disciplined execution that leads to sustainable success. A strong advocate for financial discipline and founder-investor alignment\, he regularly advises startups on raising capital\, scaling responsibly\, and avoiding common growth pitfalls. He holds a BA in Computer Science & Economics from Tel Aviv College and is a sought-after speaker in the cybersecurity and IT sectors. \n  \nStage-Based Roundtables @ 10:30am PT \n  \nComplimentary Ticket:\nAre you a full-time tech founder? Be our guest! We’re making our events available to tech founders everywhere. Enjoy a complimentary ticket to come learn from fellow tech founders\, partners and investors. Already used your complimentary guest pass? Request an invite to see if you qualify for membership. \n  \nAbout Founders Network: \nFounded in 2011\, Founders Network offers lifelong peer mentorship to over 600 tech startup founders globally. Our platform\, programs and high-touch service facilitate authentic experience sharing\, warm introductions and long-term professional relationships. Additional benefits include over $500k in startup discounts and promotion to 2\,000 newsletter readers. Members are located in San Francisco\, New York City\, Los Angeles\, Vancouver\, Toronto\, London and other tech hubs. Each month our Membership Committee admits a new cohort of full-time tech founders who are nominated by an existing member. Learn more about us here. \n  \nConfidentiality Policy \nAll information shared within Founders Network is strictly confidential. We are built on a foundation of trust\, and the community takes confidentiality seriously. Investors\, members\, and staff all share experiences and opinions off the record. In this roundtable forum\, we continue to model our fnValues of Reciprocity\, Humility\, Authenticity and Inclusivity. Read more about our Privacy Policy here.
URL:https://foundersnetwork.com/function/beyond-the-idea-elad-ben-meir-on-building-a-thriving-startup/
LOCATION:Virtual | Hosted by Founders Network (San Francisco HQ) | Featuring Elad Ben Meir\, Tel Aviv Chapter
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://foundersnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/8_19-Elad-Ben-Meir-Eventbrite.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20250814T090000
DTEND;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20250814T100000
DTSTAMP:20260501T113354
CREATED:20250715T233600Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250715T235221Z
UID:24364-1755162000-1755165600@foundersnetwork.com
SUMMARY:How Cofounders Can Prevent Their Relationship from Derailing
DESCRIPTION: \n\n\nAs a tech founder\, your cofounder is more than a collaborator — they’re your closest strategic ally\, sounding board\, and pressure valve. \nBut\, 65% of startup failures are due to cofounder conflict. This conversation is designed to make sure you’re not in that number. \nIn this founder-to-founder session\, startup coach Alisa Cohn draws from years of coaching high-growth tech teams to share 5 essential principles that help cofounders stay aligned\, navigate tension\, and scale without blowing up the partnership. \nYou’ll learn how to: \n\nBuild a “cofounder prenup” that gets your values\, vision\, and working styles out in the open\nDefine clear roles and decision-making boundaries to avoid stepping on each other’s toes\nRun scenario planning exercises to prepare for high-stakes moments like acquisitions or exits\nProtect your relationship by scheduling time for trust-building outside the boardroom\nUse “conflict meetings” to normalize disagreement and sharpen your communication muscles\n\nYour product won’t succeed if your partnership fails. Invest in it. \nWhether you’re in the earliest stages or already scaling\, this is a tactical\, no-fluff guide to building a healthier\, more resilient cofounder dynamic — so your startup can move faster\, smarter\, and stronger. \n  \nAbout the Speaker: \nAlisa Cohn is an Executive Coach who has worked with C-suite executives at prominent startups (such as Venmo\, Etsy\, Draft Kings\,) and Fortune 500 companies (including Dell\, Microsoft\, Google\, Pfizer\, and The New York Times.) She is the author of From Start-up to Grown-up\, which won the 2022 Independent Press Award and the American Book Fest 2023 Best Book Award for Entrepreneurship. She is the creator and host of a podcast also called From Start-up to Grown-up. She’s been named to the Coaches50 list by Thinkers50 which recognizes the Top 50 most effective and impactful executive coaches in the world. She was named the Top Startup Coach in the World at the Thinkers50/Marshall Goldsmith Global Coaches Awards and named the number one Global Guru for startups for the past four years by Global Gurus Research Organization. A sought-after speaker\, she has keynoted events for IBM\, PwC\, Dell\, and Citi. Inc. named Alisa one of the top 100 leadership speakers. Her articles have appeared in HBR\, Forbes\, and Inc\, and she’s been featured as an expert on Bloomberg\, BBC World News\, and in the NY Times and the WSJ. \nYou can download Alisa’s 5 Scripts for Delicate Conversations at www.alisacohn.com/5scripts. Buy Alisa’s book here and check out her podcast. You can follow her on twitter & instagram @AlisaCohn. \n  \nComplimentary Ticket:\nAre you a full-time tech founder? Be our guest! We’re making our events available to tech founders everywhere. Enjoy a complimentary ticket to come learn from fellow tech founders\, partners and investors. Already used your complimentary guest pass? Request an invite to see if you qualify for membership. \n  \nAbout Founders Network: \nFounded in 2011\, Founders Network offers lifelong peer mentorship to over 600 tech startup founders globally. Our platform\, programs and high-touch service facilitate authentic experience sharing\, warm introductions and long-term professional relationships. Additional benefits include over $500k in startup discounts and promotion to 2\,000 newsletter readers. Members are located in San Francisco\, New York City\, Los Angeles\, Vancouver\, Toronto\, London and other tech hubs. Each month our Membership Committee admits a new cohort of full-time tech founders who are nominated by an existing member. Learn more about us here \nConfidentiality Policy \nAll information shared within Founders Network is strictly confidential. We are built on a foundation of trust\, and the community takes confidentiality seriously. Investors\, members\, and staff all share experiences and opinions off the record. In this roundtable forum\, we continue to model our fnValues of Reciprocity\, Humility\, Authenticity and Inclusivity. Read more about our Privacy Policy here.
URL:https://foundersnetwork.com/function/how-cofounders-can-prevent-their-relationship-from-derailing/
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://foundersnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/8_14-Alisa-Cohn-Eventbrite-scaled.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20250805T093000
DTEND;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20250805T110000
DTSTAMP:20260501T113354
CREATED:20250211T013452Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250426T005144Z
UID:23999-1754386200-1754391600@foundersnetwork.com
SUMMARY:From Military Tech to AI Exit: Co-Founders\, Strategy & Growth
DESCRIPTION: \n\n\nLiran Hason’s career blends technical innovation with entrepreneurial strategy\, resulting in a successful startup exit and valuable lessons for aspiring founders. Having begun his coding journey at age 10\, Liran served in one of Israel’s elite military tech units\, where he honed his technical and leadership skills. After gaining business experience at Adallom (acquired by Microsoft)\, he transitioned to venture capital\, investing in early-stage companies with Aleph Ventures. \nIn 2019\, Liran co-founded Aporia\, a cutting-edge AI observability platform that raised $30M and achieved a successful exit when it was acquired by Coralogix in December 2024. \nDuring this session\, Liran will share actionable insights from his journey\, focusing on early-stage challenges\, the art of fundraising\, and the emotional and strategic realities of startup life. Attendees will gain a behind-the-scenes look at what it takes to thrive in the startup world\, from building strong co-founder relationships to balancing customer-focused problem-solving with investor-focused vision-setting. \nThis session will feature a mix of recorded insights and off-the-record anecdotes\, making it a unique opportunity to learn directly from a founder who has successfully navigated the path from idea to acquisition. \n  \nOpening Remarks @ 9:30am PT\nJoin us for opening remarks with Dina Wagner\, Head of Member Success at Founders Network\, to get the latest updates from the Network and opportunities for getting involved. \n  \nKeynote Speaker @ 9:40am PT\nLiran Hason is a tech entrepreneur and leader with expertise spanning military technology\, venture capital\, and AI innovation. At the core of his success is his ability to combine a deep technical background with a keen business acumen\, honed through roles in both startup and investment ecosystems. \nLiran’s entrepreneurial journey began in Israel’s military tech unit\, where he refined his skills before moving into business at Adallom (acquired by Microsoft) and later in venture capital with Aleph Ventures. In 2019\, he co-founded Aporia\, a leading AI observability platform\, which raised $30M and was successfully acquired by Coralogix in 2024. Known for his work ethic and collaborative mindset\, Liran has built companies that solve real-world problems while maintaining a long-term strategic vision. He is now sharing his expertise to inspire the next generation of founders and innovators. \n  \nStage-Based Roundtables @ 10:30am PT \n  \nComplimentary Ticket:\nAre you a full-time tech founder? Be our guest! We’re making our events available to tech founders everywhere. Enjoy a complimentary ticket to come learn from fellow tech founders\, partners and investors. Already used your complimentary guest pass? Request an invite to see if you qualify for membership. \n  \nAbout Founders Network: \nFounded in 2011\, Founders Network offers lifelong peer mentorship to over 600 tech startup founders globally. Our platform\, programs and high-touch service facilitate authentic experience sharing\, warm introductions and long-term professional relationships. Additional benefits include over $500k in startup discounts and promotion to 2\,000 newsletter readers. Members are located in San Francisco\, New York City\, Los Angeles\, Vancouver\, Toronto\, London and other tech hubs. Each month our Membership Committee admits a new cohort of full-time tech founders who are nominated by an existing member. Learn more about us here \nConfidentiality Policy \nAll information shared within Founders Network is strictly confidential. We are built on a foundation of trust\, and the community takes confidentiality seriously. Investors\, members\, and staff all share experiences and opinions off the record. In this roundtable forum\, we continue to model our fnValues of Reciprocity\, Humility\, Authenticity and Inclusivity. Read more about our Privacy Policy here.
URL:https://foundersnetwork.com/function/from-military-tech-to-ai-exit-co-founders-strategy-growth/
LOCATION:Virtual | Hosted by Founders Network (San Francisco HQ) | Featuring Liran Hason\, Tel Aviv Chapter
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://foundersnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/0fa2367494e78d6f72f2d496c9cd9598-IDiFQd.tmp_.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20250722T093000
DTEND;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20250722T110000
DTSTAMP:20260501T113354
CREATED:20250213T235719Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250426T005003Z
UID:24015-1753176600-1753182000@foundersnetwork.com
SUMMARY:The Human Touch in Tech: Cynthia Benjamin on Scaling Together Senior Health
DESCRIPTION: \n\n\nCynthia Benjamin\, CEO and Co-Founder of Together Senior Health\, takes us through her inspiring entrepreneurial journey\, from the founding of her innovative healthcare startup to its acquisition by Linus Health.  \nWith a career that spans health\, tech\, and nonprofit sectors\, Cynthia will share the key insights that guided her as she built a company dedicated to helping Alzheimer’s and dementia patients live healthier\, more independent lives at home. \nIn this fireside chat\, Cynthia will explore the critical role of strong co-founder relationships\, the delicate balance between cutting-edge technology and the human touch\, and the challenges and rewards of securing both grant and private funding. She’ll also reflect on the MVP development process\, team-building strategies\, and navigating the complexities of healthcare innovation. \nThroughout the discussion\, Cynthia will emphasize the value of diverse career experiences in shaping an entrepreneurial mindset and offer key lessons on the power of continuous learning\, perseverance\, and intuition in building a successful business. \n  \nOpening Remarks @ 9:30am PT\nJoin us for opening remarks with Dina Wagner\, Head of Member Success at Founders Network\, to get the latest updates from the Network and opportunities for getting involved. \n  \nKeynote Speaker @ 9:40am PT\nCynthia Benjamin has a long and varied career\, beginning in 1985 as a Product Design Engineer at IDEO Product Development. In 1989\, she founded and became President of Samson-McCann\, Inc. She later joined Strategic Decisions Group in 1998 as a Senior Engagement Manager\, leading strategy and management consulting teams. In 2006\, Cynthia took on the role of Director of Innovation at IMS Health\, where she helped create a Big Data and Health IT growth platform. She also served as an Innovation Lab Principal and Global Process Lead\, as well as a Principal in Strategy and Portfolio Analytics Consulting. \nIn 2014\, she joined Thrive Foundation as Director of Design and Innovation\, leading the foundation’s tool and resource development initiatives. Cynthia began consulting independently in 2016\, focusing on Strategy\, Innovation\, and Impact. She became the CEO and Co-Founder of Together Senior Health in 2017\, a leading digital therapeutic and community platform for individuals with Alzheimer’s or cognitive decline. Cynthia also teaches at Stanford University’s d.school\, where she provides design and forecasting frameworks to innovators. \nCynthia holds an MBA from the University of California\, Berkeley\, Haas School of Business\, a MS in Mechanical Engineering/Product Design from Stanford University\, and a BS in Product Design Engineering from Stanford. She also participated in Semester at Sea\, Institute for Shipboard Education. \n  \nStage-Based Roundtables @ 10:30am PT \n  \nComplimentary Ticket:\nAre you a full-time tech founder? Be our guest! We’re making our events available to tech founders everywhere. Enjoy a complimentary ticket to come learn from fellow tech founders\, partners and investors. Already used your complimentary guest pass? Request an invite to see if you qualify for membership. \n  \nAbout Founders Network: \nFounded in 2011\, Founders Network offers lifelong peer mentorship to over 600 tech startup founders globally. Our platform\, programs and high-touch service facilitate authentic experience sharing\, warm introductions and long-term professional relationships. Additional benefits include over $500k in startup discounts and promotion to 2\,000 newsletter readers. Members are located in San Francisco\, New York City\, Los Angeles\, Vancouver\, Toronto\, London and other tech hubs. Each month our Membership Committee admits a new cohort of full-time tech founders who are nominated by an existing member. Learn more about us here \nConfidentiality Policy \nAll information shared within Founders Network is strictly confidential. We are built on a foundation of trust\, and the community takes confidentiality seriously. Investors\, members\, and staff all share experiences and opinions off the record. In this roundtable forum\, we continue to model our fnValues of Reciprocity\, Humility\, Authenticity and Inclusivity. Read more about our Privacy Policy here.
URL:https://foundersnetwork.com/function/the-human-touch-in-tech-cynthia-benjamin-on-scaling-together-senior-health/
LOCATION:Virtual | Hosted by Founders Network (San Francisco HQ)
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://foundersnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/7_22-Cynthia-Benjamin-Eventbrite.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20250715T093000
DTEND;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20250715T110000
DTSTAMP:20260501T113354
CREATED:20250213T231122Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250426T004933Z
UID:24010-1752571800-1752577200@foundersnetwork.com
SUMMARY:Lessons from FinTech Veteran William Nass: Scaling\, Exiting & Investing
DESCRIPTION: \n\n\nJoin us for an exclusive session with William Nass\, co-founder of a FinTech company that pioneered automated loan underwriting for financial institutions.  \nAfter successfully navigating multiple technology pivots and building a SaaS platform\, William sold his company to Meridian link\, a portfolio company of Thoma Bravo\, in 2020 for over $100M after 32 years in operation. In this session\, he’ll share key insights on scaling a company in a rapidly changing sector\, the importance of market timing\, and lessons learned throughout his journey. \nWilliam will also delve into his new role as a mentor and investor\, offering guidance for early-stage companies. He’ll share the importance of mentorship\, how to approach private investing\, and the strategies that have worked for him when advising and supporting revenue-generating startups. \n  \nOpening Remarks @ 9:30am PT\nJoin us for opening remarks with Dina Wagner\, Head of Member Success at Founders Network\, to get the latest updates from the Network and opportunities for getting involved. \n  \nKeynote Speaker @ 9:40am PT\nWilliam Nass is a FinTech veteran with over 30 years of experience in building and scaling companies. He co-founded a pioneering FinTech company in 1982\, successfully adapting to technological shifts and ultimately developing a SaaS platform that automated loan underwriting for financial institutions. After 32+ years of operation\, William sold the company to Meridian link\, a portfolio company of Thoma Bravo\, for over $100M in 2020. \nIn addition to his entrepreneurial success\, William is deeply involved in mentoring and private investing. He has contributed to initiatives such as SCORE\, VMT\, and FAU Tech Runway\, providing invaluable guidance to early-stage startups. His current focus is advising and investing in revenue-generating companies\, helping them navigate growth challenges and scale effectively. \n  \nStage-Based Roundtables @ 10:30am PT \n  \nComplimentary Ticket:\nAre you a full-time tech founder? Be our guest! We’re making our events available to tech founders everywhere. Enjoy a complimentary ticket to come learn from fellow tech founders\, partners and investors. Already used your complimentary guest pass? Request an invite to see if you qualify for membership. \n  \nAbout Founders Network: \nFounded in 2011\, Founders Network offers lifelong peer mentorship to over 600 tech startup founders globally. Our platform\, programs and high-touch service facilitate authentic experience sharing\, warm introductions and long-term professional relationships. Additional benefits include over $500k in startup discounts and promotion to 2\,000 newsletter readers. Members are located in San Francisco\, New York City\, Los Angeles\, Vancouver\, Toronto\, London and other tech hubs. Each month our Membership Committee admits a new cohort of full-time tech founders who are nominated by an existing member. Learn more about us here \nConfidentiality Policy \nAll information shared within Founders Network is strictly confidential. We are built on a foundation of trust\, and the community takes confidentiality seriously. Investors\, members\, and staff all share experiences and opinions off the record. In this roundtable forum\, we continue to model our fnValues of Reciprocity\, Humility\, Authenticity and Inclusivity. Read more about our Privacy Policy here.
URL:https://foundersnetwork.com/function/lessons-from-fintech-veteran-william-nass-scaling-exiting-investing/
LOCATION:Virtual | Hosted by Founders Network (San Francisco HQ) | Featuring William Nass\, Miami Chapter
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://foundersnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/7_15-Bill-Nass-Eventbrite-1.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20250710T093000
DTEND;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20250710T110000
DTSTAMP:20260501T113354
CREATED:20250619T172131Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250627T030853Z
UID:24347-1752139800-1752145200@foundersnetwork.com
SUMMARY:From Google to 3 IPOs: Adam Sah on Startups\, Products & Staying Ahead
DESCRIPTION: \n\n\nWhat does it take to build products that scale and companies that last—again and again? \nJoin Adam Sah\, a serial founder and early Google engineer\, for an inside look at how he’s turned ideas into impact over a 30-year career spanning engineering\, entrepreneurship\, and innovation. Adam’s journey includes being on the ground floor at Google\, where he wrote the first Chrome extensions and helped shape core products\, and going on to launch and lead multiple startups\, including three that went public. Along the way\, he’s accumulated 25 U.S. patents and built teams that thrive under pressure. \nIn this session\, Adam will share hard-won lessons on what truly drives product-market fit\, how to navigate the founder journey through cycles and pivots\, and why his long view of company-building has helped him consistently stay ahead of the curve. He’ll also speak candidly about mistakes\, reinventions\, and how to make success sustainable. \nWhether you’re at your first startup or your fifth\, this conversation will give you a rare lens into the mindset and mechanics of a founder who’s done it all—and is still building. \n  \nOpening Remarks @ 9:30am PT\nJoin us for opening remarks with Dina Fattom\, Member Success Manager at Founders Network\, to get the latest updates from the Network and opportunities for getting involved. \n  \nKeynote Speaker @ 9:40am PT\nAdam Sah is a seasoned entrepreneur\, operator\, and investor with 9 exits\, 3 IPOs\, 25 patents and was an early senior technical lead at Google. \nCurrently\, he is the Founder and Managing Director of Zero Capital\, a pre-seed fund reflecting the zero-to-one focus and the aspiration to add value beyond capital. The firm operates with authenticity\, transparency\, and a focus on positive reputation\, seeking inspiration and joy as deeper goals and signals of high function. Adam invests in a variety of technology sectors\, and half of his recent investments involve AI. He earned his graduate degree from UC Berkeley and is currently based in New York City\, where he’s co-chair of the NYC chapter of the Google Alumni. Adam is also longtime faculty at Alchemist Accelerator\, the leading program for B2B startups. \n  \nStage-Based Roundtables @ 10:30am PT \n  \nComplimentary Ticket:\nAre you a full-time tech founder? Be our guest! We’re making our events available to tech founders everywhere. Enjoy a complimentary ticket to come learn from fellow tech founders\, partners and investors. Already used your complimentary guest pass? Request an invite to see if you qualify for membership. \n  \nAbout Founders Network: \nFounded in 2011\, Founders Network offers lifelong peer mentorship to over 600 tech startup founders globally. Our platform\, programs and high-touch service facilitate authentic experience sharing\, warm introductions and long-term professional relationships. Additional benefits include over $500k in startup discounts and promotion to 2\,000 newsletter readers. Members are located in San Francisco\, New York City\, Los Angeles\, Vancouver\, Toronto\, London and other tech hubs. Each month our Membership Committee admits a new cohort of full-time tech founders who are nominated by an existing member. Learn more about us here \nConfidentiality Policy \nAll information shared within Founders Network is strictly confidential. We are built on a foundation of trust\, and the community takes confidentiality seriously. Investors\, members\, and staff all share experiences and opinions off the record. In this roundtable forum\, we continue to model our fnValues of Reciprocity\, Humility\, Authenticity and Inclusivity. Read more about our Privacy Policy here.
URL:https://foundersnetwork.com/function/from-google-to-3-ipos-adam-sah-on-startups-products-staying-ahead/
LOCATION:Virtual | Hosted by Founders Network (San Francisco HQ) | Featuring Adam Sah\, New York City Chapter
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://foundersnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/7_10-Adam-Sah-Eventbrite-1.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20250625T093000
DTEND;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20250625T110000
DTSTAMP:20260501T113354
CREATED:20250219T233654Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250426T004725Z
UID:24022-1750843800-1750849200@foundersnetwork.com
SUMMARY:Windward’s $270M Exit: Market Choice & Content Strategy Lessons
DESCRIPTION: \n\n\nIn this session\, we’ll hear from the founder of Windward\, a pioneering maritime AI company that uses satellite technology to bring visibility to ocean shipping. From his background as a naval officer to co-founding Windward and achieving a $270M exit\, he’ll share key lessons learned throughout his entrepreneurial journey\, offering valuable insights into the challenges and strategies that shaped his success. \nHe’ll discuss how market choice is one of the most important decisions a founder can make\, often more impactful than assembling the perfect team. He’ll explain how surrounding yourself with positive\, motivated people is essential for company growth\, while negativity can hold back progress. \nAs a hands-on leader with a “fighting to win” mentality\, he combines strategic vision with meticulous attention to detail\, from reading sales reports daily to speaking directly with engineers and customers. Founder-led marketing was crucial to Windward’s growth\, with Ami personally engaging with stakeholders and driving a content strategy that resulted in 13 billion unique views and regular media coverage in outlets like the NYT and WSJ. \n  \nOpening Remarks @ 9:30am PT\nJoin us for opening remarks with Dina Wagner\, Head of Member Success at Founders Network\, to get the latest updates from the Network and opportunities for getting involved. \n  \nKeynote Speaker @ 9:40am PT\nAmi Daniel is co-founder and CEO of Windward. In this capacity he has been featured extensively as an expert in shipping and AI at multiple conferences\, events\, op-eds and interviews including by The Economist\, FT\, WSJ\, Bloomberg and many others. He was recognised as one of the 40 most promising entrepreneurs in Israel twice by Israel’s leading economical newspapers – Globes and The Marker. Under his leadership Windward has been awarded multiple awards including as a finalist in the Boldness in Business Awards by the FT\, Red Herring\, The Hottest Startup in Israel by Wired and many others. Ami serves on the advisory board of “My Wave” NGO which empowers traumatized or misprinted youth by teaching them to surf. \nBefore founding Windward\, Ami has been one of Israel’s most impactful youth social entrepreneurs\, founding a community centre in Haifa when he was 16\, as well as another national scale social empowerment program. For these he was given multiple awards including the President’s Award and the Ramon Award (both the most distinguished for youth in Israel). \nAmi served as a naval officer (Lieutenant) in the Israeli Navy and he holds an LLB from Tel Aviv University. \n  \nStage-Based Roundtables @ 10:30am PT \n  \nComplimentary Ticket:\nAre you a full-time tech founder? Be our guest! We’re making our events available to tech founders everywhere. Enjoy a complimentary ticket to come learn from fellow tech founders\, partners and investors. Already used your complimentary guest pass? Request an invite to see if you qualify for membership. \n  \nAbout Founders Network: \nFounded in 2011\, Founders Network offers lifelong peer mentorship to over 600 tech startup founders globally. Our platform\, programs and high-touch service facilitate authentic experience sharing\, warm introductions and long-term professional relationships. Additional benefits include over $500k in startup discounts and promotion to 2\,000 newsletter readers. Members are located in San Francisco\, New York City\, Los Angeles\, Vancouver\, Toronto\, London and other tech hubs. Each month our Membership Committee admits a new cohort of full-time tech founders who are nominated by an existing member. Learn more about us here. \nConfidentiality Policy \nAll information shared within Founders Network is strictly confidential. We are built on a foundation of trust\, and the community takes confidentiality seriously. Investors\, members\, and staff all share experiences and opinions off the record. In this roundtable forum\, we continue to model our fnValues of Reciprocity\, Humility\, Authenticity and Inclusivity. Read more about our Privacy Policy here.
URL:https://foundersnetwork.com/function/windwards-270m-exit-market-choice-content-strategy-lessons/
LOCATION:Virtual | Hosted by Founders Network (San Francisco HQ) | Featuring Ami Daniel\, London Chapter
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://foundersnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/6_25-Ami-Daniel-Eventbrite.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20250610T093000
DTEND;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20250610T110000
DTSTAMP:20260501T113354
CREATED:20250211T012619Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250426T004809Z
UID:23994-1749547800-1749553200@foundersnetwork.com
SUMMARY:Lessons from a Proven CEO: Scaling\, Exits\, and Navigating AI Trends
DESCRIPTION: \n\n\nWith over 30 years of leadership experience\, Patrick Dennis\, CEO of Avaya\, will share invaluable insights for tech founders navigating the complexities of leadership transitions and business scaling. Drawing on his extensive track record\, including his transformative role at Venafi\, where he led the company through a $1.5B acquisition by CyberArk\, as well as his tenure at ExtraHop and Aspect Communications (now Alvaria)\, Patrick will explore a critical question for many founders: when is it time to replace yourself as CEO? \nPatrick will explore how to recognize success-based problems as signals of growth and discuss how to address personal gaps without viewing them as failures. He’ll provide practical strategies for balancing the founder’s creative vision with the operational expertise needed for scaling\, and emphasize the mindset shift required to pivot from day-to-day management to high-level strategic leadership. \nIn addition\, Patrick will share insights on the current dynamics of the startup ecosystem. He’ll focus on the increasing need for cash preservation in today’s market\, particularly as capital becomes more expensive\, and explore the necessary strategic adjustments for companies with fewer than 100 employees. He will also discuss how AI advancements—especially in voice interfaces and communications—are opening new doors in previously untapped markets\, presenting opportunities that could significantly expand the software economy. \nDon’t miss this opportunity to hear from a seasoned CEO and gain actionable insights that can elevate both your leadership and your business. Join us and discover strategies to take your company to the next level! \n  \nOpening Remarks @ 9:30am PT\nJoin us for opening remarks with Dina Wagner\, Head of Member Success at Founders Network\, to get the latest updates from the Network and opportunities for getting involved. \n  \nKeynote Speaker @ 9:40am PT\nPatrick Dennis is the CEO of Avaya\, a global leader in enterprise communications. With over three decades of experience in enterprise software\, SaaS\, cybersecurity\, and communications\, Patrick has held transformative leadership roles\, including CEO of Venafi\, where he drove the company’s sale to CyberArk for $1.5B. Previously\, he served as CEO at ExtraHop\, Aspect Communications (now Alvaria)\, and Guidance Software. Patrick has also held senior roles at EMC and Oracle. His leadership has been instrumental in driving innovation and growth at every company he’s led. He holds a B.S. in Information Technology from the Rochester Institute of Technology and is an active contributor to the Forbes Technology Council. \n  \nStage-Based Roundtables @ 10:30am PT \n  \nComplimentary Ticket:\nAre you a full-time tech founder? Be our guest! We’re making our events available to tech founders everywhere. Enjoy a complimentary ticket to come learn from fellow tech founders\, partners and investors. Already used your complimentary guest pass? Request an invite to see if you qualify for membership. \n  \nAbout Founders Network: \nFounded in 2011\, Founders Network offers lifelong peer mentorship to over 600 tech startup founders globally. Our platform\, programs and high-touch service facilitate authentic experience sharing\, warm introductions and long-term professional relationships. Additional benefits include over $500k in startup discounts and promotion to 2\,000 newsletter readers. Members are located in San Francisco\, New York City\, Los Angeles\, Vancouver\, Toronto\, London and other tech hubs. Each month our Membership Committee admits a new cohort of full-time tech founders who are nominated by an existing member. Learn more about us here \nConfidentiality Policy \nAll information shared within Founders Network is strictly confidential. We are built on a foundation of trust\, and the community takes confidentiality seriously. Investors\, members\, and staff all share experiences and opinions off the record. In this roundtable forum\, we continue to model our fnValues of Reciprocity\, Humility\, Authenticity and Inclusivity. Read more about our Privacy Policy here.
URL:https://foundersnetwork.com/function/lessons-from-a-proven-ceo-scaling-exits-and-navigating-ai-trends/
LOCATION:Virtual | Hosted by Founders Network (San Francisco HQ) | Featuring Patrick Dennis\, Denver Chapter
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://foundersnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/6_10-Patrick-Dennis-Eventbrite.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20250521T093000
DTEND;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20250521T110000
DTSTAMP:20260501T113354
CREATED:20250211T004428Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250426T004550Z
UID:23988-1747819800-1747825200@foundersnetwork.com
SUMMARY:How Thejo Kote Built and Sold Two Startups for $440M
DESCRIPTION: \n\n\nThejo Kote is a serial entrepreneur who has built and successfully exited two companies\, Automatic and Airbase\, for a combined total of $440M. His journey from an aspiring founder to a seasoned entrepreneur provides valuable insights into the complexities of scaling\, securing funding\, and building high-performing teams. In this session\, Thejo will discuss the key lessons he learned while navigating the challenges of growing a hardware startup with Automatic\, which was sold to SiriusXM for $115M\, and later transitioning to enterprise software with Airbase\, which was acquired by Paylocity for $325M. \nHe will share his experiences in developing a strategic approach to business growth\, balancing financial discipline with bold decision-making\, and shaping company culture to support long-term success. Thejo’s insights into fundraising\, market positioning\, and leadership will provide attendees with actionable strategies to tackle the common pitfalls faced by early-stage founders. From overcoming operational hurdles to embracing intellectual honesty and adaptability\, Thejo’s story serves as a playbook for entrepreneurs looking to build scalable and successful businesses. \nJoin us for an in-depth conversation where Thejo will offer practical advice\, candid reflections\, and strategic frameworks that can help founders at any stage of their entrepreneurial journey. \n  \nOpening Remarks @ 9:30am PT\nJoin us for opening remarks with Dina Wagner\, Head of Member Success at Founders Network\, to get the latest updates from the Network and opportunities for getting involved. \n  \nKeynote Speaker @ 9:40am PT\nThejo Kote is the Founder and former CEO of Airbase\, a spend management platform designed for mid-market and enterprise companies. Prior to Airbase\, Thejo co-founded Automatic\, a connected car platform acquired by SiriusXM in 2017. \nHe also co-founded NextDrop\, where he served as co-founder and advisor from 2009 to 2016. Earlier in his career\, he was a senior engineer at Netcore Solutions and a software engineer at Infosys Technologies. \nThejo holds a Bachelor’s degree in Electrical & Electronics Engineering from Visvesvaraya Technological University (2000-2004). He later pursued a Master’s degree at University of California\, Berkeley\, in the School of Information (2009-2011)\, which provided him with the technical and analytical skills that have been instrumental in his successful career in the tech industry. \n  \nStage-Based Roundtables @ 10:30am PT \n  \nComplimentary Ticket:\nAre you a full-time tech founder? Be our guest! We’re making our events available to tech founders everywhere. Enjoy a complimentary ticket to come learn from fellow tech founders\, partners and investors. Already used your complimentary guest pass? Request an invite to see if you qualify for membership. \n  \nAbout Founders Network: \nFounded in 2011\, Founders Network offers lifelong peer mentorship to over 600 tech startup founders globally. Our platform\, programs and high-touch service facilitate authentic experience sharing\, warm introductions and long-term professional relationships. Additional benefits include over $500k in startup discounts and promotion to 2\,000 newsletter readers. Members are located in San Francisco\, New York City\, Los Angeles\, Vancouver\, Toronto\, London and other tech hubs. Each month our Membership Committee admits a new cohort of full-time tech founders who are nominated by an existing member. Learn more about us here \nConfidentiality Policy \nAll information shared within Founders Network is strictly confidential. We are built on a foundation of trust\, and the community takes confidentiality seriously. Investors\, members\, and staff all share experiences and opinions off the record. In this roundtable forum\, we continue to model our fnValues of Reciprocity\, Humility\, Authenticity and Inclusivity. Read more about our Privacy Policy here.
URL:https://foundersnetwork.com/function/how-thejo-kote-built-and-sold-two-startups-for-440m/
LOCATION:Virtual | Hosted by Founders Network (San Francisco HQ)
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://foundersnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/5_21-Thejo-Kote-Eventbrite.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20250506T093000
DTEND;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20250506T110000
DTSTAMP:20260501T113354
CREATED:20250210T233938Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250426T004306Z
UID:23982-1746523800-1746529200@foundersnetwork.com
SUMMARY:From Theater to Tech: Jason Kassin’s Path to Raising $140M and Exiting
DESCRIPTION: \n\n\nGain valuable insights from Jason Kassin\, a technology entrepreneur and pioneering entertainment executive. Jason will share his remarkable journey from theater and film to founding FilmTrack\, a leading SaaS platform for content rights management\, which he successfully scaled from startup to an acquisition by City National Bank. \nDiscover how Jason leveraged his creative background in storytelling and improvisation to pitch investors\, secure over $140 million in funding\, and navigate multiple acquisitions. He’ll also provide insights from his current role as an advisor\, angel investor\, and board member\, offering perspectives on scaling businesses\, fundraising\, and the evolving intersection of technology and entertainment. \nWhether you’re an early-stage founder or scaling your startup\, Jason’s expertise in execution\, strategic partnerships\, and investment will provide actionable takeaways to help you succeed on your entrepreneurial journey. \n  \nOpening Remarks @ 9:30am PT\nJoin us for opening remarks with Dina Wagner\, Head of Member Success at Founders Network\, to get the latest updates from the Network and opportunities for getting involved. \n  \nKeynote Speaker @ 9:40am PT\nJason Kassin is a technology entrepreneur and entertainment industry executive with a deep understanding of the intersection between media and technology. As the founder and former CEO of FilmTrack\, Jason played a pivotal role in transforming how the entertainment industry manages content rights\, royalties\, and licensing agreements. \nBeyond his entrepreneurial journey\, Jason has held leadership roles in the financial sector\, helping City National Bank expand its entertainment finance division after FilmTrack’s acquisition. Today\, he is an active angel investor\, board member\, and advisor\, working with startups across various industries to refine their go-to-market strategies\, fundraising efforts\, and business models. \nIn addition to his work in technology and investment\, Jason has a background in screenwriting and film production\, with credits at DreamWorks\, Fox\, and NBC. He continues to explore storytelling through documentary filmmaking. Jason has sold scripts to major studios and co-produced the award-winning documentary It Ain’t Over\, which became one of Netflix’s most-streamed sports documentaries. \nHe serves on multiple advisory boards and remains passionate about fostering innovation and supporting entrepreneurs in their growth journeys. \n  \nStage-Based Roundtables @ 10:30am PT \n  \nComplimentary Ticket:\nAre you a full-time tech founder? Be our guest! We’re making our events available to tech founders everywhere. Enjoy a complimentary ticket to come learn from fellow tech founders\, partners and investors. Already used your complimentary guest pass? Request an invite to see if you qualify for membership. \n  \nAbout Founders Network: \nFounded in 2011\, Founders Network offers lifelong peer mentorship to over 600 tech startup founders globally. Our platform\, programs and high-touch service facilitate authentic experience sharing\, warm introductions and long-term professional relationships. Additional benefits include over $500k in startup discounts and promotion to 2\,000 newsletter readers. Members are located in San Francisco\, New York City\, Los Angeles\, Vancouver\, Toronto\, London and other tech hubs. Each month our Membership Committee admits a new cohort of full-time tech founders who are nominated by an existing member. Learn more about us here \nConfidentiality Policy \nAll information shared within Founders Network is strictly confidential. We are built on a foundation of trust\, and the community takes confidentiality seriously. Investors\, members\, and staff all share experiences and opinions off the record. In this roundtable forum\, we continue to model our fnValues of Reciprocity\, Humility\, Authenticity and Inclusivity. Read more about our Privacy Policy here.
URL:https://foundersnetwork.com/function/from-theater-to-tech-jason-kassins-path-to-raising-140m-and-exiting/
LOCATION:Virtual | Hosted by Founders Network (San Francisco HQ) | Featuring Jason Kassin\, Los Angeles Chapter
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://foundersnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/5_6-Jason-Kassin-Eventbrite.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20250429T090000
DTEND;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20250429T100000
DTSTAMP:20260501T113354
CREATED:20250418T171810Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250426T011016Z
UID:24238-1745917200-1745920800@foundersnetwork.com
SUMMARY:Travel Hacking for Founders: Maximize Growth\, Minimize Burn
DESCRIPTION: \n\n\nAs a founder\, every dollar counts—and every connection matters. Whether you’re traveling to close your next customer\, meet investors face-to-face\, or build strategic partnerships\, smart travel can be a powerful growth lever.  \nJoin serial founder and travel hacking expert Tyler Dikman for a tactical session on how to make travel work for your startup—not against your burn rate. Tyler has built multiple startups\, flown over a million miles using points\, and mastered the art of traveling smarter to scale faster. \nKey Takeaways: \n\nThe top business credit cards for founders to earn points and unlock perks\nMust-have travel hacks and tools to save time\, money\, and energy\nHow in-person meetings can accelerate traction—and how to make them happen more often\n\nThis exclusive Founders Network session is built for busy founders who want to get in front of the right people—without overspending. Walk away with a practical travel strategy you can put to work immediately. \n  \nAbout the Speaker: \nTyler Dikman is a passionate serial entrepreneur focused on results\, efficiency\, and “under-promising and overdelivering”. Most recently\, Tyler served as the Vice President of Global Premium Products and Benefits for American Express after serving as founder & CEO of LoungeBuddy (acquired by AMEX in 2019). Tyler’s current focus is bringing his experience in building and growing businesses\, marketing\, public relations\, storytelling\, and leadership to early-stage entrepreneurs building high-growth businesses. Tyler is a frequent traveler\, having flown roughly 3 million miles\, and loves new experiences and learning about other cultures. Tyler is currently based in San Francisco. \n  \n \nComplimentary Ticket:\nAre you a full-time tech founder? Be our guest! We’re making our events available to tech founders everywhere. Enjoy a complimentary ticket to come learn from fellow tech founders\, partners and investors. Already used your complimentary guest pass? Request an invite to see if you qualify for membership. \n  \nAbout Founders Network: \nFounded in 2011\, Founders Network offers lifelong peer mentorship to over 600 tech startup founders globally. Our platform\, programs and high-touch service facilitate authentic experience sharing\, warm introductions and long-term professional relationships. Additional benefits include over $500k in startup discounts and promotion to 2\,000 newsletter readers. Members are located in San Francisco\, New York City\, Los Angeles\, Vancouver\, Toronto\, London and other tech hubs. Each month our Membership Committee admits a new cohort of full-time tech founders who are nominated by an existing member. Learn more about us here \nConfidentiality Policy \nAll information shared within Founders Network is strictly confidential. We are built on a foundation of trust\, and the community takes confidentiality seriously. Investors\, members\, and staff all share experiences and opinions off the record. In this roundtable forum\, we continue to model our fnValues of Reciprocity\, Humility\, Authenticity and Inclusivity. Read more about our Privacy Policy here.
URL:https://foundersnetwork.com/function/travel-hacking-for-founders-maximize-growth-minimize-burn/
LOCATION:Virtual | Hosted by Founders Network (San Francisco HQ)
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://foundersnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/4_29-Tyler-Dikman-Eventbrite.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20250422T100000
DTEND;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20250422T110000
DTSTAMP:20260501T113354
CREATED:20250409T182349Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250409T183332Z
UID:24193-1745316000-1745319600@foundersnetwork.com
SUMMARY:The Global Founder in a Fragmenting World
DESCRIPTION: \n\n\nThe world is deglobalizing—but opportunity isn’t. \nAs trade wars\, tariffs\, and political tensions reshape the global landscape\, founders face a new challenge: How do you build an international company in a world that seems to be pulling apart?In this interactive roundtable\, we’ll explore how forward-thinking founders are navigating these global headwinds and why strategic geographic choices—like Singapore—can unlock access to fast-growing markets while mitigating geopolitical risks. \nYou’ll leave with: \n\nA deeper understanding of how the global startup map is shifting\nTactical ideas for building resilient\, cross-border teams\nA fresh perspective on where growth opportunities lie—even in a fractured world\n\nWe’ll be joined by Jared Koh\, who leads the Economic Development Board for Singapore and will share insights on how the city-state is helping startups scale across APAC in this new era. \n  \nAbout the Speaker: \nJared Koh joined the Singapore Economic Development Board in January 2018\, and currently serves as Regional Director\, Americas based in San Francisco. He is responsible for facilitating business partnerships and investment promotion activity for the tech sector across the US West Coast. \nPreviously\, Jared was part of Digital Industry Singapore (DISG)\, a joint office between EDB\, Enterprise Singapore (ESG)\, and the Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA) that was in charged with attracting and fostering globally competitive technology companies to create new products and services from Singapore\, for Asia and beyond. Jared was also part of EDB’s Regional Partnerships team\, where he had helped to foster collaborations between Singapore and Southeast Asian government leaders and businesses to enable international companies to grow better in the region. Prior to joining EDB\, Jared had served as a diplomat under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Singapore. \nJared received a Bachelor of Social Sciences (Distinction) in Psychology from the National University of Singapore in 2016. \n  \n \nComplimentary Ticket:\nAre you a full-time tech founder? Be our guest! We’re making our events available to tech founders everywhere. Enjoy a complimentary ticket to come learn from fellow tech founders\, partners and investors. Already used your complimentary guest pass? Request an invite to see if you qualify for membership. \n  \nAbout Founders Network: \nFounded in 2011\, Founders Network offers lifelong peer mentorship to over 600 tech startup founders globally. Our platform\, programs and high-touch service facilitate authentic experience sharing\, warm introductions and long-term professional relationships. Additional benefits include over $500k in startup discounts and promotion to 2\,000 newsletter readers. Members are located in San Francisco\, New York City\, Los Angeles\, Vancouver\, Toronto\, London and other tech hubs. Each month our Membership Committee admits a new cohort of full-time tech founders who are nominated by an existing member. Learn more about us here \nConfidentiality Policy \nAll information shared within Founders Network is strictly confidential. We are built on a foundation of trust\, and the community takes confidentiality seriously. Investors\, members\, and staff all share experiences and opinions off the record. In this roundtable forum\, we continue to model our fnValues of Reciprocity\, Humility\, Authenticity and Inclusivity. Read more about our Privacy Policy here.
URL:https://foundersnetwork.com/function/the-global-founder-in-a-fragmenting-world/
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://foundersnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/4_22-Jared-Koh-Eventbrite.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20250415T093000
DTEND;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20250415T110000
DTSTAMP:20260501T113354
CREATED:20250110T030208Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250210T235321Z
UID:23947-1744709400-1744714800@foundersnetwork.com
SUMMARY:From Startup to Unicorn: Scaling Globally & Merging with Fierce Rivals
DESCRIPTION: \n\n\nDiscover the journey of Davis Siksnans\, an entrepreneur who redefined what’s possible in Latvia’s startup ecosystem. As the founder of Printful\, Latvia’s first unicorn\, Davis turned a bold vision into a $300 million global powerhouse in the print-on-demand industry\, with over 2\,000 employees across 10 locations worldwide. \nIn this session\, Davis will dive deep into the strategies that propelled his company to the forefront of the market. He will share his approach to overcoming competitive challenges\, including his leadership in orchestrating the unprecedented merger between Printful and its fierce rival\, Printify. Attendees will gain insights into the operational excellence and cultural understanding that allowed Davis to scale Printful internationally while maintaining a strong foundation in Europe. \nThe session will also explore Davis’ unique perspective on navigating international expansion\, bridging diverse markets\, and fostering innovation in high-growth environments. Davis’ experience offers invaluable lessons for founders looking to scale their businesses globally\, manage competitive dynamics\, and lead through transformative growth. \nIf you’re a founder\, business leader\, or investor curious about the behind-the-scenes of building and scaling a unicorn\, this event will leave you inspired and equipped with actionable takeaways. Don’t miss this rare opportunity to learn directly from one of the inspiring figures in the European startup scene. \n  \nOpening Remarks @ 9:30am PT\nJoin us for opening remarks with Dina Wagner\, Head of Member Success at Founders Network\, to get the latest updates from the Network and opportunities for getting involved. \n  \nKeynote Speaker @ 9:40am PT\nCEO of Mapon | Co-founder and Former CEO of Printful (Latvia’s First Unicorn) | Investor & Advisor \nDavis Siksnans co-founded Printful\, Latvia’s first unicorn\, and led the company to global success. He is currently the CEO of Mapon\, a fleet management SaaS company. As an investor\, Davis is active through Draugiem Capital and is a member of the BAD Ideas Fund and a Fund Fellow at Founders Syndicates. \nHis angel investments include Hyperjob\, RoomPriceGenie\, Respeecher\, and more. Davis has supported over 100 startups through Draugiem Group and is recognized by Forbes 30 Under 30 and awarded the Order of the Three Stars\, Latvia’s highest civilian honor. \nDavis shares his expertise on scaling businesses and international expansion through various media outlets and podcasts. \n  \nStage-Based Roundtables @ 10:30am PT\n  \nComplimentary Ticket:\nAre you a full-time tech founder? Be our guest! We’re making our events available to tech founders everywhere. Enjoy a complimentary ticket to come learn from fellow tech founders\, partners and investors. Already used your complimentary guest pass? Request an invite to see if you qualify for membership. \n  \nAbout Founders Network: \nFounded in 2011\, Founders Network offers lifelong peer mentorship to over 600 tech startup founders globally. Our platform\, programs and high-touch service facilitate authentic experience sharing\, warm introductions and long-term professional relationships. Additional benefits include over $500k in startup discounts and promotion to 2\,000 newsletter readers. Members are located in San Francisco\, New York City\, Los Angeles\, Vancouver\, Toronto\, London and other tech hubs. Each month our Membership Committee admits a new cohort of full-time tech founders who are nominated by an existing member. Learn more about us here \nConfidentiality Policy \nAll information shared within Founders Network is strictly confidential. We are built on a foundation of trust\, and the community takes confidentiality seriously. Investors\, members\, and staff all share experiences and opinions off the record. In this roundtable forum\, we continue to model our fnValues of Reciprocity\, Humility\, Authenticity and Inclusivity. Read more about our Privacy Policy here.
URL:https://foundersnetwork.com/function/from-startup-to-unicorn-scaling-globally-merging-with-fierce-rivals/
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://foundersnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/0e789054f910c8ec2c13ece659fb9f28-trpd6p.tmp_.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20250403T093000
DTEND;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20250403T110000
DTSTAMP:20260501T113354
CREATED:20241217T235029Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250210T235311Z
UID:23931-1743672600-1743678000@foundersnetwork.com
SUMMARY:Achieving a $136M Exit: Key Lessons from Scaling a Security Tech Startup
DESCRIPTION: \n\n\nDive into the journey of building and scaling a business to a $136M exit with Ravi Sandepudi\, co-founder of Effectiv\, a leading fraud detection software company recently acquired by SoCure. In this session\, Ravi will share the strategies and lessons behind achieving a $4.5M ARR with a lean team of 25\, offering actionable insights for founders at every stage of growth. \nLearn how to leverage domain expertise\, foster a thriving remote-first culture\, and navigate the challenges of fundraising and sales in a competitive market. Ravi will also discuss his transition from a technical role to a leadership position focused on business development and sales\, sharing practical advice for founders facing similar shifts. \nThis event will provide a unique opportunity to gain insights into building trusted teams\, creating products that stand out in competitive industries\, and preparing for strategic exits. Don’t miss this chance to hear firsthand from a founder who has successfully navigated the complex world of cybersecurity\, technology\, and business growth. \n  \nOpening Remarks @ 9:30am PT\nJoin us for opening remarks with Dina Wagner\, Head of Member Success at Founders Network\, to get the latest updates from the Network and opportunities for getting involved. \n  \nKeynote Speaker @ 9:40am PT\nRavi Sandepudi is the Co-founder and CEO of Effectiv. Before starting Effectiv\, Ravi was the Director of Product Development at PayPal\, leading their efforts in building cutting-edge fraud protection services for thousands of merchants\, launching PayPal in China and developing their privacy infrastructure. Ravi joined PayPal via the acquisition of Simility\, a pioneer in fraud detection software\, where he was the first employee and led their offices in India and UK. Prior to Simility & PayPal\, he worked at Google in their Risk\, Trust & Safety organization building systems that detected fraud\, malware and abuse across products like Google Search\, Ads & Google Pay. \n  \nStage-Based Roundtables @ 10:30am PT \n  \nComplimentary Ticket:\nAre you a full-time tech founder? Be our guest! We’re making our events available to tech founders everywhere. Enjoy a complimentary ticket to come learn from fellow tech founders\, partners and investors. Already used your complimentary guest pass? Request an invite to see if you qualify for membership. \n  \nAbout Founders Network: \nFounded in 2011\, Founders Network offers lifelong peer mentorship to over 600 tech startup founders globally. Our platform\, programs and high-touch service facilitate authentic experience sharing\, warm introductions and long-term professional relationships. Additional benefits include over $500k in startup discounts and promotion to 2\,000 newsletter readers. Members are located in San Francisco\, New York City\, Los Angeles\, Vancouver\, Toronto\, London and other tech hubs. Each month our Membership Committee admits a new cohort of full-time tech founders who are nominated by an existing member. Learn more about us here \nConfidentiality Policy \nAll information shared within Founders Network is strictly confidential. We are built on a foundation of trust\, and the community takes confidentiality seriously. Investors\, members\, and staff all share experiences and opinions off the record. In this roundtable forum\, we continue to model our fnValues of Reciprocity\, Humility\, Authenticity and Inclusivity. Read more about our Privacy Policy here.
URL:https://foundersnetwork.com/function/achieving-a-136m-exit-key-lessons-from-scaling-a-security-tech-startup/
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://foundersnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/4_3-Ravi-Sandepudi-Eventbrite.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20250318T093000
DTEND;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20250318T110000
DTSTAMP:20260501T113354
CREATED:20241204T014349Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250210T235301Z
UID:23917-1742290200-1742295600@foundersnetwork.com
SUMMARY:Ethical Dilemmas\, 7x Revenue Growth\, and a Successful Exit in 3D Printing
DESCRIPTION: \n\n\nBuilding a startup is often glamorized\, but what happens when things don’t go as planned? Blake Teipel\, co-founder and former CEO of Essentium\, Inc.\, will pull back the curtain on the less talked-about aspects of entrepreneurship. Hear how he navigated difficult decisions and addressed ethical challenges when pivoting into defense technologies. \nBlake will also share how Essentium grew revenue 7x in one year\, built a thriving government business\, and ultimately achieved a successful exit to Nexa3D. This session will blend lessons in resilience\, strategic pivots\, and long-term thinking\, offering an honest look at the realities of startup leadership. Whether you’re preparing for growth or navigating challenges\, Blake’s story will leave you with invaluable insights on the importance of both ascent and descent in a founder’s journey. \n  \nOpening Remarks @ 9:30am PT\nJoin us for opening remarks with Dina Wagner\, Head of Member Success at Founders Network\, to get the latest updates from the Network and opportunities for getting involved. \n  \nKeynote Speaker @ 9:40am PT\nBlake Teipel is the former CEO and co-founder of Essentium\, Inc.\, a leading 3D printing technology company. With over 15 years of experience in materials science and engineering\, he specialized in additive manufacturing. Blake led Essentium through key challenges\, including a failed IPO\, restructuring\, and ultimately a successful exit to Nexa3D. \nBlake holds a Ph.D. in Materials Science and Engineering from Texas A&M University and has a background in mechanical engineering. His work spans across various industries\, including biomedical and manufacturing technology. \n  \nStage-Based Roundtables @ 10:30am PT \n  \nComplimentary Ticket:\nAre you a full-time tech founder? Be our guest! We’re making our events available to tech founders everywhere. Enjoy a complimentary ticket to come learn from fellow tech founders\, partners and investors. Already used your complimentary guest pass? Request an invite to see if you qualify for membership. \n  \nAbout Founders Network: \nFounded in 2011\, Founders Network offers lifelong peer mentorship to over 600 tech startup founders globally. Our platform\, programs and high-touch service facilitate authentic experience sharing\, warm introductions and long-term professional relationships. Additional benefits include over $500k in startup discounts and promotion to 2\,000 newsletter readers. Members are located in San Francisco\, New York City\, Los Angeles\, Vancouver\, Toronto\, London and other tech hubs. Each month our Membership Committee admits a new cohort of full-time tech founders who are nominated by an existing member. Learn more about us here \nConfidentiality Policy \nAll information shared within Founders Network is strictly confidential. We are built on a foundation of trust\, and the community takes confidentiality seriously. Investors\, members\, and staff all share experiences and opinions off the record. In this roundtable forum\, we continue to model our fnValues of Reciprocity\, Humility\, Authenticity and Inclusivity. Read more about our Privacy Policy here.
URL:https://foundersnetwork.com/function/ethical-dilemmas-7x-revenue-growth-and-a-successful-exit-in-3d-printing/
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://foundersnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/3_18-Blake-Teipel-Eventbrite.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20250306T093000
DTEND;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20250306T110000
DTSTAMP:20260501T113354
CREATED:20241204T013405Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250210T235252Z
UID:23914-1741253400-1741258800@foundersnetwork.com
SUMMARY:Raised $70M and Exited: Why Product-Market Fit Outweighs Early VC Pursuit
DESCRIPTION: \n\n\nTom Coburn\, co-founder of Jebbit\, will share his entrepreneurial journey from dropping out of Boston College in 2013 to building Jebbit into the world’s first declared data platform. Jebbit helps marketing and sales teams capture critical consumer data directly from users\, bypassing unreliable third-party sources. With major clients such as Cathay Pacific Airways\, LifeLock\, and the New England Revolution\, Jebbit was recognized as one of CNBC’s Top 25 Most Promising Companies and earned accolades for its culture and innovation. \nTom will reflect on his journey raising $70M from Vista in 2020\, and eventually selling Jebbit to a Vista portfolio company in 2022. He’ll share pivotal lessons learned\, including the challenges of chasing VC funding and CMO buy-in over focusing on the end-user experience. After enduring a difficult period in 2019 that included layoffs and customer churn\, Tom shifted focus to product-market fit\, an approach he’ll adopt for his next startup. This event will provide valuable insights for founders and investors on scaling companies\, navigating growth challenges\, and the importance of aligning product strategy with user needs. \n  \nOpening Remarks @ 9:30am PT\nJoin us for opening remarks with Dina Wagner\, Head of Member Success at Founders Network\, to get the latest updates from the Network and opportunities for getting involved. \n  \nKeynote Speaker @ 9:40am PT\nTom Coburn is the co-founder and CEO of Jebbit. He is also a General Partner at Soaring Startup Circle Venture Partners (SSC Venture Partners). Tom co-founded Jebbit while studying at Boston College\, dropping out to pursue his entrepreneurial ambitions full-time. \nHe has been recognized with several prestigious honors\, including Forbes 30 Under 30\, the Upstart 100\, and as an EY Entrepreneur of the Year finalist. Tom is passionate about mentoring and has co-founded two non-profit organizations. His work continues to inspire startups in the tech and venture space\, blending his expertise in marketing technology with a focus on helping emerging companies scale. \n  \nStage-Based Roundtables @ 10:30am PT \n  \nComplimentary Ticket:\nAre you a full-time tech founder? Be our guest! We’re making our events available to tech founders everywhere. Enjoy a complimentary ticket to come learn from fellow tech founders\, partners and investors. Already used your complimentary guest pass? Request an invite to see if you qualify for membership. \n  \nAbout Founders Network: \nFounded in 2011\, Founders Network offers lifelong peer mentorship to over 600 tech startup founders globally. Our platform\, programs and high-touch service facilitate authentic experience sharing\, warm introductions and long-term professional relationships. Additional benefits include over $500k in startup discounts and promotion to 2\,000 newsletter readers. Members are located in San Francisco\, New York City\, Los Angeles\, Vancouver\, Toronto\, London and other tech hubs. Each month our Membership Committee admits a new cohort of full-time tech founders who are nominated by an existing member. Learn more about us here \nConfidentiality Policy \nAll information shared within Founders Network is strictly confidential. We are built on a foundation of trust\, and the community takes confidentiality seriously. Investors\, members\, and staff all share experiences and opinions off the record. In this roundtable forum\, we continue to model our fnValues of Reciprocity\, Humility\, Authenticity and Inclusivity. Read more about our Privacy Policy here.
URL:https://foundersnetwork.com/function/raised-70m-and-exited-why-product-market-fit-outweighs-early-vc-pursuit/
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://foundersnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/3_6-Tom-Coburn-Eventbrite.png
END:VEVENT
END:VCALENDAR