From Blueprint to Breakout: Inside Venture Building & Founder Journeys
Join us for a high-impact morning as we dive into real stories behind how ventures are built, scaled, and backed— from both sides of the table. Hear from leaders at SC Ventures, Microsoft, Antler, 1MX and Liminal (formerly Menyala) as they share how their venture building playbooks are evolving.
Then get front-row insight from founders themselves as they reveal what truly moves the needle (and what doesn’t) in the early days of building.
This is your opportunity to explore the blueprints shaping tomorrow’s breakout companies and the partnerships that make them possible.
Agenda
7:45 - 8:05 Registration & Introduction
8:05 – 8:50 Venture Builder Panel + Q&A
8:50 - 9:35 Founder Panel + Q&A
9:35- 10:00 Closing by Sponsors in Tech + Networking
Panel 1: Venture Builders
Beyond the Playbook: Evolving Approaches to Startup Success
There’s no one-size-fits-all approach to building successful ventures. In this panel, we explore how different players are rewriting the rules of startup support. Hear what they have learned, how their models are adapting to today’s realities, and the gaps still left to fill.
Panel 2: Founders
Founders on Hustle, Hacks & Hard Truths
In this no-filter conversation, founders pull back the curtain on startup life — the wins, the stumbles, the lessons they wish they’d known earlier. What does it really take to thrive as a founder? Hear their unvarnished stories on navigating the ecosystem, building resilient teams, and pushing through the toughest moments.
About the speakers
Harald Eltvedt, Operating Member, SC Ventures
Jan Reinmueller, Strategic AI Advisor, Microsoft
Markus Bruderer, Partner, Antler
Patrick Linden, Partner, 1MX AI
Tony Pelosi, Serial Venture Builder
Jen Hong, SC Ventures (Moderator)
Aaron Gwak, Founder & CEO, Libeara
Bhavana Ravindran, Founder & CEO, Earlybird AI
Daphne Tay, CEO & Co-Founder, Bluente
Wesley Barnes, Founder, Brightriver.ai
Sharmin Reehman, Founder & CEO, Elev8te (Moderator)