The Arc of Storytelling - for founders, VCs, operators, more #SFTechWeek

Why should anyone listen to you?

Your idea makes perfect sense in your head. Somewhere between the introduction and slide 12, things get complicated. What's missing is a story people can hold, repeat and act on.

So let’s work on your narrative market fit. Join Shalaka Kulkarni and Paul Finney for 90 minutes of storymaxxing, with real examples, writing and some constructive interference.

What's on the agenda?

We’ll unpack taste, storytelling myths, narrative, structure and voice: what makes a story work, why some miss their audience, and how the same idea can travel across different channels. Expect examples from leadership, hiring and product communication, alongside a look at AI’s role at the writing desk and when to overrule its suggestions.

Who should attend?

Founders, VCs, operators, marketers and anyone who needs people to understand, remember or act on an idea.

Bring your half-cooked ideas, a pen, a notebook and curiosities. See you IRL!

Writeously yours,

Shalaka & Paul

About the hosts:

Shalaka Kulkarni is an award-winning author, brand leader and founder of Write Click, with work spanning 80+ organisations across the US, Europe, India and Australia. Working at the intersection of brands, technology, literature and culture, she shapes narratives for billionaire founders/CXOs, unicorn startups, venture capital firms and impact organisations. She combines creative instinct with business clarity and an understanding of how stories shape perception, influence and impact. She has been writing for 25 years and has addressed 10,000+ people across corporate, literary and academic forums.

Paul Finney is a creative director in tech and the founder of spacekayak, a creative studio that gives early-stage ideas their form and function. His brand, narrative and launch work spans 100+ venture-backed companies, from Dimensional, Alteon, Sarvam and Emergent to founders out of DeepMind, YC and EWOR, with early exits to companies like OpenAI. The portfolio has collectively raised over $2B. He builds physical spaces, designs software and makes films as a full-time technoromantic and creative ceo. He splits his time between Bangalore and San Francisco.

This event is a part of #SFTechWeek—a week of events hosted by VCs and startups to bring together the tech ecosystem. Learn more at www.tech-week.com.