eChai: The AI Gold Rush-Behind The Bets SF
San Francisco is ground zero for the AI gold rush — but what’s fueling the next wave of AI innovation?
Join us for an intimate fireside chat with Mala Ramakrishnan, Founder & Managing Partner at Progressive Ventures, where she breaks down what she’s seeing at the frontlines of the AI startup landscape: the patterns, the pitfalls, and the hard truths founders need to face if they want to build something enduring.
With over 20 years of experience as a product, growth, and GTM operator — and now as an investor in the next wave of B2B AI companies — Mala brings a rare, dual-lens view of what it takes to succeed in a market moving faster than the hype cycle itself.
This isn’t about trends. It’s about traction.
You’ll walk away with sharp, grounded insights on:
What makes a B2B AI pitch compelling right now
The blind spots most founders don’t realize they have
How GTM and product expectations have shifted in the enterprise AI space
What it actually takes to scale beyond the buzz
Then, stay for a panel of growth-stage founders who are in it right now — navigating product pivots, fundraising chaos, AI integration, and the everyday realities of building while the market shifts beneath them.
🗓 Agenda
6:00 PM – Check-in + Welcome Chai
Arrive, settle in, and grab a cup of chai while connecting with others as they arrive.
6:30 PM — Investor Unplugged
A candid fireside chat with Mala Ramakrishnan, Founder & Managing Partner at Progressive Ventures, where she shares what VCs are really looking for in AI founders — and what she’s betting on next. Q&A with Mala.
7:15 PM — Startup Sparks: Founder Spotlights
A showcase of bold ideas and live product stories from founders building what’s next in AI. From product demos to early traction — watch innovation unfold in real-time.
***Will share more details on our Amazing Founders soon.
7:45 PM – Open Networking
Will have Pizza and Chai. So, stick around, spark conversations, and maybe meet your next collaborator or investor.
8:00 PM – Closing & Carry Forward
We’ll wrap up officially, but feel free to stick around and continue connecting if the ideas are still flowing.
🧠 Who Should Attend
Founders building (or breaking into) the enterprise AI space
Product & growth leaders exploring where AI meets adoption
Investors looking for early signals beyond the noise
Operators curious about what traction looks like in 2025
Anyone building in B2B AI who’s ready for real talk, not just hot takes
✨ This is the kind of room where momentum builds — and clarity cuts through.
Spots are limited. RSVP to join us.
Hosted by: Khyati Brahmbhatt | Powered by: eChai Ventures
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