Mark your calendars: on Thursday night, September 10, StrictlyVC — TechCrunch’s boutique evening series — is heading to New York’s West Village (the real one — brownstones, cobblestones, and all — not the Mission Bay stretch of San Francisco that’s earned the nickname “Vest Village” for all the Patagonia-clad VCs roaming around).
It’s our first New York event in two years, and after a run of great nights this year in San Francisco, L.A., and Athens, we couldn’t be more excited to be back — with a stacked lineup to match. What’s in store:
Keith Rabois. We’re kicking off the night with the inimitable Keith Rabois, who recently relocated East from Silicon Valley and, true to form, seems intent on shaking things up wherever he lands. Rabois has never been shy about what he thinks is working in venture and what isn’t — he’s backed Ramp four times and invested as often in State Affairs, a company using AI and local journalists to track statehouse-level news and policy data across all 50 states. He’ll share his strong opinions on founders who raise more capital than they actually need, just because they can. And we’ll get him talking about Khosla Ventures’ boldest AI bet yet: its early $50 million check into OpenAI back in 2019 when the outfit had no clear business model — plus what he makes of the narrative that OpenAI is facing more headwinds right now than its rivals.
Craig Shapiro and Jason Levien. After our sit-down with Keith, stick around for a conversation you won’t find anywhere else. Craig Shapiro’s venture firm, Collaborative Fund, is generously co-hosting the evening with us, and we’ll sit down with Shapiro and Jason Levien, CEO of D.C. United, to talk sports organizations as business investments — and the increasingly tangled intersection of sports, fandom, commerce, and community.
Tristan Walker. Staying on the theme of community, we’ll dig into a conversation with two founders building for a world where AI does more — but also takes something away. Tristan Walker, who sold his last company, Walker & Company Brands (maker of Bevel), to Procter & Gamble in 2018, is back with Heirloom Craft, a startup focused on reshoring American fine craftsmanship — training a new generation of artisans and rebuilding the supply chains behind them.
Brynn Putnam. Walker will be joined by Brynn Putnam, who sold her last company, connected-fitness startup Mirror, to Lululemon for $500 million, just three years after it was launched. Putnam’s newest venture is Board, a game company blending physical play with AI-powered creation tools — built as something of an antidote to the isolation tech has fueled, bringing people back together around, literally, a board.
Deven Parekh. Last but not least, we’re thrilled to catch up with Deven Parekh, who has co-run Insight Partners — the New York powerhouse investment firm — for more than 25 years. Insight doesn’t do a lot of press, but Parekh has agreed to pull back the curtain on how the firm is thinking about a landscape where it’s gotten harder to tell asset classes apart, as some of the biggest funds have grown exponentially larger. What we want to know: how does Insight compete in a world where capital itself is a commodity, but the potential returns on massive investments have also never been bigger?
Expect a fun night all around, with drinks, hors d’oeuvres, and plenty of networking before and after the fireside chats, including with Connie Loizos, Rebecca Bellan, and other TechCrunch writers (as well as our friends from other outlets).
Giant thanks again to the team at Collaborative Fund for making the night possible. More details and ticketing info right here. See you in the (real) West Village.
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StrictlyVC Returns to NYC: A Deep Dive into Venture’s Evolving Landscape
TechCrunch’s acclaimed boutique evening series, StrictlyVC, is making its highly anticipated return to New York City for its first event in two years. Set against the charming backdrop of the authentic West Village, this exclusive gathering on Thursday, September 10, promises an unparalleled evening of insights, networking, and candid conversations with some of the industry’s most influential figures.
Key Takeaways
- Unrivaled Industry Access:Gain direct insights from top-tier VCs like Keith Rabois and Deven Parekh on cutting-edge investment strategies and the future of capital.
- Beyond the Hype:Explore how AI is shaping new ventures, from reshoring craftsmanship to fostering community through innovative gaming, with founders Tristan Walker and Brynn Putnam.
- Exclusive Networking:Connect with fellow founders, investors, and TechCrunch journalists in an intimate setting, fostering valuable relationships and actionable ideas.
The Big Apple Beckons: StrictlyVC’s Triumphant Return
After a string of highly successful events this year in innovation hubs like San Francisco, Los Angeles, and Athens, StrictlyVC is bringing its signature blend of intimate fireside chats and high-caliber networking back to the East Coast. This isn’t merely another industry event; it’s a carefully curated experience designed to cut through the noise and deliver substantive discussions on the forces shaping venture capital and technology today.
The choice of the ‘real’ West Village — with its historic brownstones and cobblestone streets — is a deliberate nod to authenticity, a stark contrast to the often-dubbed “Vest Village” of San Francisco’s Mission Bay, teeming with Patagonia-clad VCs. It signals an evening focused on genuine connection and substantive dialogue rather than mere trend-following. Co-hosted by the esteemed Collaborative Fund, this event is poised to be a highlight of the fall tech calendar.
Decoding Capital & Strategy: Insights from VC Mavericks
Keith Rabois: The East Coast Disruptor
Kicking off the night is the outspoken and influentialKeith Rabois. Having recently shifted his base from Silicon Valley to the East, Rabois has wasted no time making his presence felt. Known for his candid assessments of what’s truly working (and what isn’t) in venture, his track record includes backing success stories like Ramp four times and State Affairs, an innovative company leveraging AI and local journalism for comprehensive policy data. Attendees can expect Rabois to dive into his strong opinions on founders raising excessive capital, a prevalent issue in the current funding environment. Furthermore, he’ll offer a unique perspective on Khosla Ventures’ prescient $50 million investment in OpenAI back in 2019, when the AI giant had no clear business model, and share his thoughts on the current narrative surrounding OpenAI’s competitive landscape.
Deven Parekh: Navigating the New Investment Frontier
The evening will also feature a rare appearance fromDeven Parekh, who has been instrumental in co-running New York powerhouse investment firm Insight Partners for over 25 years. Insight Partners, a firm not typically in the media spotlight, has agreed to pull back the curtain on its strategic thinking. Parekh will address the increasingly complex landscape where traditional asset classes are blurring, and funds are growing exponentially larger. His insights will be invaluable for understanding how a firm of Insight’s stature competes when capital itself becomes a commodity, yet the potential returns on massive, strategic investments have never been greater. This segment promises to be a masterclass in modern institutional investing.
Beyond Tech: Sports, Community, and Human Craftsmanship
Craig Shapiro & Jason Levien: The Business of Sports and Fandom
Adding a unique dimension to the evening, Collaborative Fund’sCraig Shapirowill engage in a conversation withJason Levien, CEO of D.C. United. This discussion will explore the fascinating world of sports organizations as business investments, moving beyond mere fandom to dissect the increasingly intricate intersection of sports, commerce, and community building. As technology continues to redefine fan engagement and team operations, their insights will illuminate how venture capital is finding new avenues for growth and impact in a sector driven by passion and loyalty.
Tristan Walker & Brynn Putnam: Reclaiming Connection in an AI World
In a particularly thought-provoking segment, two visionary founders will discuss building for a future where AI’s advancements are balanced with human needs for connection and craftsmanship.Tristan Walker, celebrated for selling Walker & Company Brands (maker of Bevel) to Procter & Gamble, is now focused on Heirloom Craft. His new venture is dedicated to reshoring American fine craftsmanship, rebuilding supply chains, and training a new generation of artisans. This initiative speaks to a growing desire for tangible skills and sustainable production in an increasingly digital world, raising questions about how AI can either complement or challenge this return to craft.
Walker will be joined byBrynn Putnam, the entrepreneur behind connected-fitness sensation Mirror, which sold to Lululemon for a staggering $500 million just three years after its launch. Putnam’s newest endeavor, Board, is a game company that ingeniously blends physical play with AI-powered creation tools. Conceived as an antidote to the isolation often fueled by technology, Board aims to bring people back together around a physical game board, fostering genuine interaction and shared experiences. Their combined discussion will explore the delicate balance of leveraging AI for innovation while intentionally designing products and businesses that counteract tech’s potential to fragment community and devalue human ingenuity.
An Evening of Connection and Conversation
Beyond the compelling fireside chats, attendees can expect a vibrant atmosphere for networking. The event will feature a delightful spread of drinks and hors d’oeuvres, providing ample opportunity to connect with fellow entrepreneurs, investors, and innovators. TechCrunch writers, including Connie Loizos and Rebecca Bellan, will be present, offering additional chances for engaging discussions and insights. StrictlyVC is renowned for fostering an environment where meaningful relationships are built and ideas are freely exchanged, making it much more than just a series of talks.
Don’t miss this unique opportunity to gain strategic insights, explore emerging trends, and forge valuable connections in the heart of New York City. We extend immense gratitude to the team at Collaborative Fund for their partnership in making this night possible.
More details and ticketing information can be found right here. We look forward to seeing you in the (real) West Village.
The Bottom Line
StrictlyVC’s return to New York City is more than just an event; it’s a crucial convergence of leading minds in venture capital, AI, and entrepreneurship. Offering a rare blend of high-level strategic insights, discussions on the human impact of technology, and unparalleled networking opportunities, this evening is essential for anyone seeking to navigate, understand, and shape the future of innovation and investment.
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