About us
The Startup Traction & Funding Network brings together aspiring and experienced tech entrepreneurs to discuss, meet, and collaborate to build great new startups, and to push the local startup ecosystem forward.
This group hosts numerous free events throughout the year where you can learn the best practices of starting a company from people who have been there and done that. You’ll have the opportunity to meet local founders and investors, exchange ideas with experts, get feedback on your idea, participate in startup workshops, and more.
Typical startup event topics include:
• Refining your startup idea
• Startup legal basics
• How to pitch your startup
• How to launch a global company
• How to raise funding for your startup
• And much more!
Join the group to be invited to our next event!
For information about the investors, incubators, and tech events available, see our list of Startup Resources (https://fi.co/startup_resources). Interested in perfecting your pitch? Read our Pitch Deck Guide (https://fi.co/pitch_deck) and download templates.
Featured event
FounderX Silicon Valley: VIP Gathering of Global Founders/ Investors
FounderX is a highly-curated, intimate conference will gather ~300 investors, founders, technology executives, and startup ecosystem leaders from across the globe for three days of networking events, group workshops, and engaging talks from top Keynote Speakers.
Previous speakers for FI events include Elon Musk, Steve Jurvetson, Yamini Rangan, Naval Ravikant, Esther Dyson, Jason Calacanis, Ben Horowitz, and many more.
❯❯ Meetup members must RSVP at https://luma.com/659pksxq?coupon=WE2SPJ to attend, the early bird price is available until May 31st.
TO REGISTER, YOU MUST RSVP AND PAY AT THE LINK ABOVE. RSVPING TO THIS MEETUP DOES NOT GRANT YOU ACCESS TO THIS EVENT.
See all the latest event details at http://FounderX.com (exact details and speakers will not be updated on this Meetup page).
Please note: this event is mainly for Founder Institute investors, alumni, mentors, and leaders - so Meetup availability will expire.
The goal of FounderX is to facilitate meaningful connections and learning across the FI and Decile Group Networks, which span 40,000+ innovators across 100+ countries and 6 continents.
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❯ See all the latest event details at http://FounderX.com (exact details and speakers will not be updated on this Meetup page).
❯ Meetup members must RSVP at https://luma.com/659pksxq?coupon=WE2SPJ to attend, the early bird price is available until May 31st.
⚠️ IMPORTANT: To register, you MUST RSVP and pay at the link above.
❌ RSVPing to this Meetup does NOT grant you access to this event.
Upcoming events
2
FI Midwest Spring 2026 Graduation: Meet the New Portfolio Companies
·OnlineOnlineMeet the newest startups joining the Founder Institute portfolio at the FI Midwest Spring 2026 Graduation. In this live online event, you'll watch selected founders pitch their companies, hear an inspiring keynote, and learn what it really takes to build a fundable startup. More than a celebration, this is a showcase of real execution and a chance to connect with founders, mentors, and investors shaping the next generation of startups.
❯ Graduation Keynote Address:- Parminder Batra – CEO, TraknProtect - As the CEO of TraknProtect, Parminder leverages her legal and business background, along with her certification as a mediator, to create innovative real-time location solutions for the hospitality industry. She leads a team of passionate and talented professionals who share a common vision of enhancing safety and security for hotel staff and guests, as well as improving operational efficiency and productivity for hoteliers. TraknProtect is not only a software platform that combines location technology, business analytics, and reporting, but also a mission-driven company that aims to impact the safety culture in hotels and eradicate human trafficking.
❯ We Proudly Announce the Following Graduating Companies:
- Ladsker - Develops agentic AI for marketing departments to make their advertisements easier, cheaper, and faster end-to-end.
- Proxy - Proximity-based dating app designed to cut through the process of swipe-dating culture by sensing when a compatible match is nearby and safely provides the words to meet that moment head on, in real life.
- BlockPass - Blockchain-based ticketing platform that captures lost value from resale markets and routes it back to organizers and attendees through code-enforced rules.
- CFYO! - Mobile-first behavioral app that uses cognitive psychology and technology to help accounting firms eliminate unbillable hours by building improved financial habits for their business owner clients.
- GetConnected AI - AI-powered resume optimization tool that helps job candidates improve their interview chances by scoring their resumes against specific job descriptions and providing actionable improvement suggestions.
❯❯ This is a live, interactive online event, so be sure to RSVP at https://FI.co/e/401516 to receive the Zoom URL to join us live!
1 attendeeFounderX Silicon Valley: VIP Gathering of Global Founders/ Investors
various locations, 319 Sally dr, 2118 Bayvale, San Francisco, CA, USFounderX is a highly-curated, intimate conference will gather ~300 investors, founders, technology executives, and startup ecosystem leaders from across the globe for three days of networking events, group workshops, and engaging talks from top Keynote Speakers.
Previous speakers for FI events include Elon Musk, Steve Jurvetson, Yamini Rangan, Naval Ravikant, Esther Dyson, Jason Calacanis, Ben Horowitz, and many more.
❯❯ Meetup members must RSVP at https://luma.com/659pksxq?coupon=WE2SPJ to attend, the early bird price is available until May 31st.
TO REGISTER, YOU MUST RSVP AND PAY AT THE LINK ABOVE. RSVPING TO THIS MEETUP DOES NOT GRANT YOU ACCESS TO THIS EVENT.
See all the latest event details at http://FounderX.com (exact details and speakers will not be updated on this Meetup page).
Please note: this event is mainly for Founder Institute investors, alumni, mentors, and leaders - so Meetup availability will expire.
The goal of FounderX is to facilitate meaningful connections and learning across the FI and Decile Group Networks, which span 40,000+ innovators across 100+ countries and 6 continents.
////
❯ See all the latest event details at http://FounderX.com (exact details and speakers will not be updated on this Meetup page).
❯ Meetup members must RSVP at https://luma.com/659pksxq?coupon=WE2SPJ to attend, the early bird price is available until May 31st.
⚠️ IMPORTANT: To register, you MUST RSVP and pay at the link above.
❌ RSVPing to this Meetup does NOT grant you access to this event.1 attendee
Past events
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