Networking to Investment: The Value of Live Events for Startups

Mar 16, 2024

In-person events hold significant value for startups and investors, providing unparalleled opportunities for networking, relationship building, and learning. Unlike virtual interactions, face-to-face meetings foster a deeper level of trust and rapport, crucial for securing leads and building lasting partnerships. The tactile experience of shaking hands, exchanging business cards, and engaging in direct eye contact establishes a personal connection that often translates into business success.

For startups, these events are vital for visibility, allowing entrepreneurs to showcase their innovations, products, and services to a targeted audience. The immediate feedback and interactive dialogues possible at such gatherings offer invaluable insights, helping startups to iterate and refine their offerings more effectively.

Investor meetings at these events can be game-changing for startups. The informal settings of in-person events often facilitate more open and engaging discussions, providing startups with the opportunity to make a strong impression on potential investors. These interactions go beyond mere financial transactions; they are about building trust, understanding, and alignment on vision and values, which are foundational for long-term investment relationships.

Moreover, in-person events offer learning opportunities through workshops, panel discussions, and keynote speeches, enabling startup teams to gain knowledge, stay abreast of industry trends, and acquire new skills that are essential for their growth and success.

🤝 Networking and Relationship Building: Face-to-face interactions at in-person events foster trust and rapport, essential for securing leads and forming strong business partnerships.
🚀 Visibility and Immediate Feedback: Startups can showcase their products, receive instant feedback, and engage in meaningful dialogues, accelerating product refinement and innovation.
💼 Investor Engagement: Direct engagement with investors at in-person events facilitates open discussions, building a foundational trust that is crucial for securing investments and establishing long-term relationships.

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Pick the event to be in the right room.

AI Symposium

Wednesday, March 20 · 6 - 9pm PDT

We are Open Future Forum. We are leaders, investors, founders and engineers based in the Bay Area CA.

Schedule:

6:25 - 6:30: Opening remarks

6:30 - 6:50: First Panel Discussion: AI investing in 2024

Gloria Zhang, Investor at DCM Ventures

Vignesh Ravikumar, Sierra Ventures

David Gerster, Fusion Fund

6:50 - 7:00: A word from our sponsor

Victor Ahuja, Founder / VP Sales at Amaara Networks

7:00 - 7:30: Second Panel Discussion: Enterprise AI

Silvio Sangineto, AI & Cloud Design Leader at Microsoft

Nisha Johnson, Product Management Lead at Google

Luke Nixon, COO, SAP Labs U.S.

7:30 - 8:30: Networking

Partnering VC's and Investors:
Iris Sun
Investor TSVC
Paulina Szyzdek, MBA
VC Principal at Bosch Ventures
Stella Kim
Startup Acceleration Programs ⏐Early Stage Funding ⏐
Kumar Ujjwal
Partner, Fortified Ventures
John huang 🖖
Founder, Open Future Angels
George Hurn-Maloney
Partner at EnvisionX Capital
Jing Kuang
Founding Partner, Y+
Keith Chen
Managing Partner, SNZ
Benny Liao
Investor at Acorn Pacific Ventures
Maksim Strelchenko
Partner at Network VC / Network Silicon Valley Club
Li Gong
Partner at Youbi Capital