On Thursday, September 10, the highly anticipated StrictlyVC – TechCrunch boutique evening series is set to make its triumphant return to New York City, specifically within the historic and authentic confines of the West Village. This marks the series’ first event in the city in two years, following a successful run of gatherings in San Francisco, Los Angeles, and Athens earlier this year. The choice of the West Village, with its distinctive brownstones and cobblestone streets, is deliberate, drawing a clear distinction from the burgeoning, often Patagonia-clad "Vest Village" nickname sometimes applied to San Francisco’s Mission Bay, underscoring New York’s unique and established identity within the global tech and venture capital landscape. The evening, co-hosted by Craig Shapiro’s Collaborative Fund, promises a robust lineup of industry titans and innovative founders, poised to deliver a deep dive into the evolving dynamics of venture capital, technology, and entrepreneurship.
A Legacy of Insight: The StrictlyVC Series
StrictlyVC, a distinguished evening series curated by TechCrunch, has carved out a niche as a premier platform for candid conversations with leading figures in the venture capital and technology ecosystems. Since its inception, the series has consistently delivered intimate, high-level discussions, moving beyond superficial headlines to explore the nuanced strategies, bold decisions, and underlying philosophies that drive innovation and investment. The format, characterized by fireside chats followed by robust networking opportunities, fosters genuine connections and intellectual exchange among attendees, comprising founders, investors, and key industry stakeholders. Its success in various tech hubs globally attests to its reputation for providing unparalleled access to thought leaders and actionable insights, making its return to New York a significant moment for the East Coast tech community. The series’ commitment to bringing together diverse perspectives, from seasoned venture capitalists to disruptive founders, ensures a dynamic and forward-looking discourse that addresses the most pressing challenges and opportunities in the tech world.
New York’s Ascendance as a Global Tech and Venture Capital Powerhouse
The selection of New York City for this pivotal event underscores the metropolis’s undeniable and accelerating ascent as a global hub for technology and venture capital. While Silicon Valley has long been the traditional epicenter, New York has steadily grown its influence, particularly in sectors like fintech, adtech, media, fashion tech, health tech, and increasingly, artificial intelligence. Recent data illustrates this shift: in various quarters over the past few years, New York has rivaled or even surpassed Silicon Valley in terms of total venture capital deployed, attracting billions of dollars in investment across thousands of deals. For instance, while Q2 2023 saw a general slowdown in venture funding globally, New York continued to demonstrate resilience, with significant activity in early and growth-stage rounds. The city’s strengths lie in its diverse talent pool, its deep connections to traditional industries ripe for disruption, and a vibrant cultural landscape that fosters innovation. The West Village, with its historical charm yet proximity to major tech and financial districts, symbolizes this blend of heritage and cutting-edge progress, serving as an ideal backdrop for discussions that bridge traditional business acumen with technological foresight. The event’s presence here not only caters to a thriving local ecosystem but also acknowledges New York’s critical role in shaping the future of global tech.
Keynote Spotlight: Keith Rabois on AI and Venture Dynamics
The evening is set to commence with an eagerly anticipated keynote address from Keith Rabois, a General Partner at Founders Fund and a figure renowned for his incisive, often contrarian, views on venture capital and technology. Rabois recently made headlines with his relocation from Silicon Valley to the East Coast, a move that many interpret as a strategic recognition of New York’s growing importance and a desire to actively shape its burgeoning tech scene. His career is marked by a string of early, highly successful investments and operational roles at iconic companies like PayPal, LinkedIn, and Square, earning him a reputation as a shrewd identifier of disruptive potential.
Rabois is expected to share his candid perspectives on current venture capital practices, particularly addressing the phenomenon of founders raising excessive capital. He has consistently argued against the trend of companies securing more funding than genuinely required, often leading to inflated valuations, unsustainable burn rates, and a dilution of entrepreneurial discipline. His insights will likely delve into the long-term implications of such strategies on company culture, financial health, and ultimate exit potential. This is particularly relevant in the current market climate, where capital efficiency and sustainable growth are increasingly prioritized over aggressive, often speculative, expansion.
His investment philosophy is exemplified by his repeated backing of companies like Ramp, a leading fintech platform revolutionizing corporate spend management, and State Affairs, an innovative venture leveraging AI and local journalists to track statehouse-level news and policy data across all 50 states. These investments highlight his conviction in ventures that address tangible market needs with robust technological solutions.
A significant portion of his discussion will focus on artificial intelligence, specifically Khosla Ventures’ audacious $50 million early-stage investment in OpenAI in 2019. At a time when OpenAI had yet to articulate a clear business model, this investment was seen as a bold bet on the transformative potential of foundational AI research. Rabois will likely unpack the strategic rationale behind such a high-stakes, early commitment and reflect on its unprecedented returns and impact. Furthermore, he is expected to address the prevailing narrative that OpenAI is currently facing more significant headwinds compared to its rivals. This could include a discussion on increased competition from well-funded entities like Anthropic and Google DeepMind, regulatory scrutiny over AI ethics and safety, challenges in scaling infrastructure, and the complexities of commercializing cutting-edge AI research while maintaining a commitment to open science. His analysis promises to cut through the hype, offering a pragmatic assessment of the challenges and opportunities facing the leading AI developers today.
The Intersection of Sports, Fandom, and Capital: Craig Shapiro and Jason Levien
Following Rabois’s keynote, attendees will be treated to a unique conversation between Craig Shapiro, founder of Collaborative Fund, and Jason Levien, CEO of D.C. United. Collaborative Fund, co-hosting the evening, is celebrated for its distinctive investment thesis, focusing on companies that align with "conscious consumerism," positive societal impact, and cultural relevance. Shapiro’s firm has a track record of identifying and nurturing ventures that resonate with evolving consumer values and contribute to a more sustainable and equitable future.
Jason Levien brings a wealth of experience from the professional sports world, leading D.C. United, one of Major League Soccer’s foundational franchises. The growth of MLS and professional soccer in the United States over the past two decades has been phenomenal, attracting significant investment and a burgeoning fan base. This segment will delve into the increasingly intertwined realms of sports organizations as business investments and the evolving dynamics of fandom, commerce, and community.
The discussion will explore the venture capital perspective on investing in sports franchises, moving beyond traditional ownership models to consider the ROI generated through media rights, fan engagement technologies, stadium development, and brand merchandising. They will likely touch upon how technology—from streaming platforms and fantasy sports to blockchain-based fan tokens and interactive digital experiences—is profoundly reshaping how fans connect with their teams and how teams monetize that engagement. The conversation will illuminate how venture capital principles, typically applied to high-growth tech startups, are increasingly relevant in valuing, scaling, and innovating within the sports industry. This includes strategies for building robust communities around teams, leveraging data to enhance fan experiences, and exploring new revenue streams in a rapidly digitizing world. Their dialogue will offer a fascinating glimpse into how capital is being deployed to capture value in an industry undergoing significant transformation, where the passion of fandom meets the rigor of strategic investment.
Founders Redefining Community and Craft in an AI-Driven World: Tristan Walker and Brynn Putnam
The program will then shift focus to two visionary founders, Tristan Walker and Brynn Putnam, who are each building ventures that address the paradox of an AI-driven world: one where technology promises unprecedented efficiency but also risks eroding human connection and traditional craftsmanship. Their respective projects offer compelling counter-narratives, emphasizing community, authentic creation, and purposeful engagement.
Tristan Walker, a prominent entrepreneur known for his impactful work, previously founded Walker & Company Brands, the parent company of the acclaimed men’s grooming line Bevel. His company was acquired by Procter & Gamble in 2018, a testament to his success in building brands that cater to underserved communities with high-quality, culturally relevant products. Walker is now back with Heirloom Craft, a startup dedicated to the vital mission of reshoring American fine craftsmanship. This initiative is not merely about production; it’s about rebuilding entire supply chains, investing in local economies, and, crucially, training a new generation of artisans. In an era increasingly dominated by mass production and automation, Heirloom Craft stands as a powerful statement about the enduring value of human skill, meticulous design, and the tangible quality of handcrafted goods. The discussion will explore how this venture fosters community through shared craft, preserves cultural heritage, and creates sustainable economic opportunities, offering a human-centric response to the encroaching ubiquity of AI. It challenges the notion that progress must come at the expense of traditional skills, instead demonstrating how innovation can support and elevate them.
Joining Walker is Brynn Putnam, another highly successful founder who made a significant impact in the connected-fitness space. Putnam founded Mirror, an innovative smart home gym that brought interactive, instructor-led workouts directly into people’s living rooms. Launched in 2018, Mirror was acquired by Lululemon for a staggering $500 million just three years later, highlighting the rapid market validation of her vision. Her newest venture, Board, is a game company designed as a deliberate antidote to the isolation that technology can sometimes inadvertently fuel. Board blends physical play with AI-powered creation tools, aiming to bring people back together around tangible, shared experiences. In a world saturated with solitary screen time, Board seeks to leverage AI not to replace human interaction but to enhance and facilitate it, creating opportunities for collaborative play and creative expression. The conversation with Walker and Putnam will explore how their ventures thoughtfully integrate technology while prioritizing human connection, community building, and the intrinsic value of physical and creative engagement. They will delve into how founders can consciously design products and services that foster genuine interaction and belonging, even as AI reshapes daily life.
Navigating the Evolving Landscape of Venture Capital: Deven Parekh of Insight Partners
The evening’s program will culminate with a rare and insightful conversation with Deven Parekh, a Managing Director at Insight Partners. As a co-head of this New York-based powerhouse investment firm for over 25 years, Parekh has an unparalleled vantage point on the evolution of venture capital and growth equity. Insight Partners is renowned for its scale, its deep operational expertise, and its focus on high-growth software and technology-enabled services companies globally. The firm’s significant capital deployments and strategic guidance have propelled numerous companies to market leadership.
Insight Partners, while a dominant force in the industry, typically maintains a low public profile. Parekh’s participation offers a unique opportunity to gain direct insight into how the firm approaches investment strategy in an increasingly complex and competitive landscape. The core of his discussion will likely revolve around the blurring of traditional asset classes. In recent years, some of the largest investment funds, including Insight, have grown exponentially in size and scope, often deploying capital across what were historically distinct categories such as early-stage venture, growth equity, and even traditional private equity. This convergence creates new dynamics for deal sourcing, valuation methodologies, and competitive positioning.
Parekh will address how Insight Partners competes effectively in a world where capital itself is increasingly commoditized. With a vast pool of global capital chasing promising tech ventures, simply providing funding is no longer sufficient. He will elaborate on how Insight differentiates itself through its extensive network, its proprietary software and operational expertise (Insight Onsite), and its ability to provide strategic guidance that goes far beyond financial investment. This value-add approach is crucial for attracting top-tier founders and securing the most competitive deals.
Furthermore, the conversation will delve into the paradoxical reality where, despite capital being abundant, the potential returns on massive investments have also never been larger, particularly for companies that achieve hyper-scale. Parekh will likely discuss the firm’s strategy for identifying these outlier opportunities, managing the inherent risks associated with deploying significant sums, and navigating market cycles to achieve outsized returns. His insights will be invaluable for understanding the sophisticated strategies employed by mega-funds in a dynamic global economy, offering a glimpse into the future of capital allocation in the technology sector.
Networking and Community Engagement
Beyond the compelling fireside chats, StrictlyVC – TechCrunch events are celebrated for their vibrant networking opportunities. Attendees can expect a lively atmosphere with drinks and hors d’oeuvres, providing ample time for connection before and after the formal program. This dedicated networking segment facilitates organic interactions among founders, venture capitalists, corporate executives, and industry analysts. TechCrunch writers, including Connie Loizos and Rebecca Bellan, will be present, alongside representatives from other leading media outlets, fostering further dialogue and knowledge exchange. These interactions are a crucial component of the StrictlyVC experience, enabling attendees to forge new partnerships, share insights, and collectively contribute to the ongoing evolution of the tech ecosystem. The informal yet intellectually stimulating environment ensures that the evening is not just about listening but also about active participation and community building.
Conclusion
The return of StrictlyVC – TechCrunch to New York’s West Village on September 10 represents a significant moment for the East Coast tech community. With an unparalleled lineup of speakers, the event promises to deliver deep, actionable insights into the future of venture capital, artificial intelligence, and community-driven entrepreneurship. The organizers extend their profound gratitude to Collaborative Fund for their generous co-hosting, without whom this exceptional evening would not be possible. As New York continues to solidify its position as a global tech leader, events like StrictlyVC play a crucial role in fostering dialogue, driving innovation, and connecting the visionary minds that are shaping our collective future. Attendees are encouraged to secure their tickets and details via the official TechCrunch events page, ensuring they do not miss this pivotal gathering in the authentic heart of New York.
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