Founder × Funder: San Francisco

Founder × Funder brings together AI-native founders and active investors for an evening built around the conversations that actually move companies forward. If you're building an AI-native startup (seed – Series A) or actively investing in them, this is the room to be in. After our New York editions, we're bringing the series to San Francisco, co-hosted with Pilot.

Check-in: Please proceed to Suite 1900 (Pilot office) and check in with the reception attendant upon arrival.

The format

5:00 PM — Doors open, drinks + founder-investor introductions

5:30 PM — One live panel: institutional capital, angel capital, and hard-won founder experience

6:20 PM — 5 Founders Pitch to VC judges

7:00 PM — Open room: curated intros, conversations, and connections

8:00 PM — Close

Who is in the room

~60% early-stage founders (seed to Series A)

~30% active investors — angels, seed funds, VCs

~10% operators, later-stage founders, and ecosystem partners

Roughly 9 in 10 attendees are founders or active investors. Admission is approval-only.

The panel

One conversation, three perspectives on what gets funded next. Moderated live by Shilpi Nayak (Founder, House of 434). Panelists announced soon.

Raising now, what investors are actually underwriting, and what founders wish they'd known earlier.

Five founders pitch live

Five AI-native founders raising seed or Series A will be selected to pitch on stage. Two will be spotlighted across the hosts' and co-hosts' networks — introduced from the stage, featured in pre- and post-event content, and connected to investors in the room.

Ways to get involved

Speak on the panel — submit yourself or refer a speaker

Pitch live — five founders raising seed or Series A are selected; two are spotlighted across our networks

Submit a pitch deck — founders raising now can share a deck for review and possible investor intros

Investors, funds & LPs — VCs, angels, family offices, and LPs sourcing seed to Series A deal flow

Media — reporters, outlets, and media moderators covering the event, the founders, and the deals in the room

Submissions are reviewed by the hosts. Seats are limited and confirmed by invitation.

Hosted by

Shilpi Nayak — Founder, House of 434

Co-hosted with Pilot.

More at thefoundersfunders.com.

For inquiries, email partnerships@houseof434.com.