Tech Gather NYC is a mixer for anyone and everyone in NYC Tech.

New to Tech? Welcome!
15 years in? Come on down!
Just got to the city? Get to know the techies here!
Been here forever? Grab your "Pizza Rat"
headband and welcome the newbies.

Be you Product, UI, Coder or Solutions or any of the buzz terms our industry throws out there, come unwind at a chill Irish pub on Fulton with cheap drinks and stay for a top-notch (free!) karaoke session next door.

Did I mention the whole thing is free?

techgathernyc.com

Founder

Tech Gather NYC is a mixer for anyone and everyone in NYC Tech. New to Tech? Welcome!15 years in? Come on down!Just got to the city? Get to know the techies here!Been here forever? Grab your "Pizza Rat"headband and welcome the newbies. Be you Product, UI, Coder or Solutions or any of the buzz terms our industry throws out there, come unwind at a chill Irish pub on Fulton with cheap drinks and stay for a top-notch (free!) karaoke session next door. Did I mention the whole thing is free?

General Admission

Tech Gather NYC July Meetup

The Irish American Pub

Four Ugly Talk alumni. Each with a you-cannot-make-this-up story that changed the way they build. The miss. The mess. The call that looked right until it absolutely was not. These are the stories that come out after the third drink. The ones with enough detail to be true and enough embarrassment to be useful.
​You sit back. You laugh. Maybe even wince. Then you catch yourself nodding, and you don’t even know when you started.
​Somewhere in between, the strangers stopped being strangers. By the time the mixer starts, your go-to networking dance doesn’t work here anymore. You’re just catching up with old friends.
​🎯 Why You Should Attend
​Hear the version founders do not post, polish, or save for the panel circuit.
​Get the lesson without paying full tuition for the mistake.
​Feel the room loosen up in real time. Once one person tells the truth, everybody else can stop auditioning.
​Stay for a mixer that actually works, because the small talk is already dead by then.
​🙋 Who's Getting In This Room
​Founders who are actively building. Not circling the idea. Not talking about someday.
​People at an inflection point. Ready to make a move, make a decision, or change something real.
​Builders who believe collaboration still matters, and that the best shortcut is someone telling the truth.
​Founders who are open-handed with what they have learned and curious enough to learn from someone else.
​
​ Run of Show
​30 minutes, Check-in
​Arrive, grab a drink, and settle into the room
​45 minutes, Ugly Talk Solo
​Four alumni stories, 7 minutes each
​Short audience Q&A between stories
​15 minutes, Transition
​Let the room reset before the mixer kicks in
​60 minutes, Mixer
​The real conversations start once the stories land
​
​🤝 Who's Backing This
​
The Builder Series
​The Builder Series is a 36k member community curating founders, operators, builders & investors into intentional rooms transforming networking into curated, experience-driven environments built for lasting, high-value relationships.
​
​
The Shop
​The Shop is a hospitality-first workspace built for people who care about where they work. Our Brooklyn location sits in 
Gowanus
, one of the most creatively dense neighborhoods in New York, and draws a community of founders, operators, creatives, and independent professionals who value design, intention, and good company.
​We’re excited welcome you to our space for an inspiring Ugly Talk event!

​
GREY Journal
 – Media partner spotlighting modern entrepreneurs (featured on Apple News + Google News).
​
​⭐ About Ugly Talk:
​Started in 2019, Ugly Talk has been transforming business setbacks into breakthrough “aha!” moments by hosting unfiltered, no-nonsense events where battle-tested entrepreneurs share their raw lessons and insights.
​With a growing presence in cities like New York, Chicago, San Francisco, and Miami, we’ve built a vibrant community of thousands of founders and industry leaders making a profound impact on the entrepreneurial landscape.
​Official Website: 
UglyTalk.com

discover GREY

Business

Director

Four Ugly Talk alumni. Each with a you-cannot-make-this-up story that changed the way they build. The miss. The mess. The call that looked right until it absolutely was not. These are the stories that come out after the third drink. The ones with enough detail to be true and enough embarrassment to be useful.​You sit back. You laugh. Maybe even wince. Then you catch yourself nodding, and you don’t even know when you started.​Somewhere in between, the strangers stopped being strangers. By the time the mixer starts, your go-to networking dance doesn’t work here anymore. You’re just catching up with old friends.<h4>​🎯 Why You Should Attend</h4><ul style="margin: 0px;"><li style="padding-top: 2px; padding-bottom: 2px;">​Hear the version founders do not post, polish, or save for the panel circuit.</li><li style="padding-top: 2px; padding-bottom: 2px;">​Get the lesson without paying full tuition for the mistake.</li><li style="padding-top: 2px; padding-bottom: 2px;">​Feel the room loosen up in real time. Once one person tells the truth, everybody else can stop auditioning.</li><li style="padding-top: 2px; padding-bottom: 2px;">​Stay for a mixer that actually works, because the small talk is already dead by then.</li></ul><h4>​🙋 Who's Getting In This Room</h4><ul style="margin: 0px;"><li style="padding-top: 2px; padding-bottom: 2px;">​Founders who are actively building. Not circling the idea. Not talking about someday.</li><li style="padding-top: 2px; padding-bottom: 2px;">​People at an inflection point. Ready to make a move, make a decision, or change something real.</li><li style="padding-top: 2px; padding-bottom: 2px;">​Builders who believe collaboration still matters, and that the best shortcut is someone telling the truth.</li><li style="padding-top: 2px; padding-bottom: 2px;">​Founders who are open-handed with what they have learned and curious enough to learn from someone else.</li></ul>​<h4>​ Run of Show</h4><ul style="margin: 0px;"><li style="padding-top: 2px; padding-bottom: 2px;">​30 minutes, Check-in</li><li style="padding-top: 2px; padding-bottom: 2px;" class="ql-indent-1">​Arrive, grab a drink, and settle into the room</li><li style="padding-top: 2px; padding-bottom: 2px;">​45 minutes, Ugly Talk Solo</li><li style="padding-top: 2px; padding-bottom: 2px;" class="ql-indent-1">​Four alumni stories, 7 minutes each</li><li style="padding-top: 2px; padding-bottom: 2px;" class="ql-indent-1">​Short audience Q&amp;A between stories</li><li style="padding-top: 2px; padding-bottom: 2px;">​15 minutes, Transition</li><li style="padding-top: 2px; padding-bottom: 2px;" class="ql-indent-1">​Let the room reset before the mixer kicks in</li><li style="padding-top: 2px; padding-bottom: 2px;">​60 minutes, Mixer</li><li style="padding-top: 2px; padding-bottom: 2px;" class="ql-indent-1">​The real conversations start once the stories land</li></ul>​<h4>​🤝 Who's Backing This</h4>​<a href="https://www.instagram.com/thebuilderseries_/?utm_source=luma" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(81, 151, 197);">The Builder Series</a>​The Builder Series is a 36k member community curating founders, operators, builders &amp; investors into intentional rooms transforming networking into curated, experience-driven environments built for lasting, high-value relationships.​​<a href="https://shopworkspace.com/location/brooklyn/?utm_source=luma" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(81, 151, 197);">The Shop</a>​The Shop is a hospitality-first workspace built for people who care about where they work. Our Brooklyn location sits in <a href="https://www.timeout.com/newyork/news/these-three-brooklyn-areas-will-be-next-years-hottest-neighborhoods-per-a-new-city-planning-report-090225?utm_source=luma" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(81, 151, 197);">Gowanus</a>, one of the most creatively dense neighborhoods in New York, and draws a community of founders, operators, creatives, and independent professionals who value design, intention, and good company.​We’re excited welcome you to our space for an inspiring Ugly Talk event! ​<a href="https://greyjournal.net/?utm_source=luma" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(81, 151, 197);">GREY Journal</a> – Media partner spotlighting modern entrepreneurs (featured on Apple News + Google News).​<h2>​⭐ About Ugly Talk:</h2>​Started in 2019, Ugly Talk has been transforming business setbacks into breakthrough “aha!” moments by hosting unfiltered, no-nonsense events where battle-tested entrepreneurs share their raw lessons and insights.​With a growing presence in cities like New York, Chicago, San Francisco, and Miami, we’ve built a vibrant community of thousands of founders and industry leaders making a profound impact on the entrepreneurial landscape.​Official Website: <a href="https://uglytalk.com/?utm_source=luma" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(81, 151, 197);">UglyTalk.com</a>

Ugly Talk: Brooklyn Tech Founders Open Mic & Mixer

To be shared on approval

NYC Venture Capital Internship Program: VC Mentors Mixer & AMA Night

Join us for an invite only evening bringing together mentors and interns from the NYC VC Internship Program, as our 2026 cohort heads into the second half of their summer internships across NYC's top VC firms.

The evening will open with a mixer, giving interns and mentors space to connect before settling into an open AMA format where interns can ask the questions that matter most as they think about their next steps in venture. From there, the room opens up further for mingling, peer exchange, and conversation with mentors and fellow interns from across our network.

This is a chance to build the kind of relationships that shape a career in venture, learn directly from investors further along the path, and celebrate a summer of growth together.

*Invite and approval only

About the 
NYC VC Internship Program
:
 The NYC VC Internship Program connects NYC-based venture capital firms with pre-screened and pre-trained students from NYC-based colleges for internship experiences. The 2026 program will place approximately 33 students in summer internships across VC host firms. Our mission is to create a more inclusive and thriving startup and venture capital ecosystem in NYC, by empowering the next generation of diverse young talent.

Baruch College

Supermomos

Strategic Programs Lead

New York University

NYC Market Lead

You are the social spark who knows everyone, everywhere, and loves connecting people like pieces of a puzzle

The Connector/Social Butterfly

The Wharton School

Co-Founder & CEO

NYC Venture Capital Internship Program: VC Mentors Mixer &amp; AMA Night Join us for an invite only evening bringing together mentors and interns from the NYC VC Internship Program, as our 2026 cohort heads into the second half of their summer internships across NYC's top VC firms. The evening will open with a mixer, giving interns and mentors space to connect before settling into an open AMA format where interns can ask the questions that matter most as they think about their next steps in venture. From there, the room opens up further for mingling, peer exchange, and conversation with mentors and fellow interns from across our network. This is a chance to build the kind of relationships that shape a career in venture, learn directly from investors further along the path, and celebrate a summer of growth together. *Invite and approval only About the <a href="https://edc.nyc/program/nyc-vc-internship-program" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">NYC VC Internship Program</a>: The NYC VC Internship Program connects NYC-based venture capital firms with pre-screened and pre-trained students from NYC-based colleges for internship experiences. The 2026 program will place approximately 33 students in summer internships across VC host firms. Our mission is to create a more inclusive and thriving startup and venture capital ecosystem in NYC, by empowering the next generation of diverse young talent.

Samsung Electronics America is the U.S. subsidiary of Samsung Electronics, a global leader in consumer electronics, mobile devices, and technology innovation. The company drives Samsung's presence across the American market in areas including mobile, home entertainment, and enterprise solutions.

People Analytics 

RRE Ventures is an early-stage venture capital firm headquartered in New York City. Since their founding in 1994, they have partnered with extraordinary entrepreneurs seeking to disrupt and transform industries.

RRE is a long-term lead investor and active strategic, operational, and financial partner to companies they finance. They bring a distinctive network across industries and countries, recruit top-tier talent, and provide PR and marketing support.

RRE manages over a billion dollars across five funds, structured to invest in early-stage companies while staying active throughout a venture's life.

They invest across the US and select overseas markets, viewing New York's innovation economy as key to the next wave of tech companies. With fifty portfolio companies in the New York Metro area, they are among its most active investors.

Associate

Brightwheel is the leading platform for early education, combining SaaS, payments, and a consumer-grade daily experience in one product. Teachers save valuable time through tools for assessment, communication, and photo sharing; administrators run their business with enrollment, reporting, and online bill pay; and parents get a real-time view of their child's day that lets them participate in the learning and continue it at home. Founded in 2014 and serving thousands of educators and millions of families, brightwheel is the fastest growing and top reviewed product in early education, a $100B US market. Investors include Addition, Bessemer Venture Partners, Chan Zuckerberg Initiative, Emerson Collective, GGV Capital, Lowercase Capital, and Mark Cuban.


Strategic Finance

NYC Venture Capital Internship Program: VC Mentors Mixer & AMA Night

Join 
Alisha Outridge
 (Chief Product & Technology Officer at Byte & Chord) for an interactive workshop to level up your product strategy and master the framework required to survive and win in the AI landscape. This session is suited for both entrepreneurs and corporate intrapreneurs who want to move past shallow feature checklists and build a world-class market analysis that defines where their product actually sits before writing a single line of code. More info about 
AI Founder Playbook
.

You’ll learn how to:
Deconstruct why traditional competitive analysis fails, shifting from generic feature matrices to true strategic positioning.
Master the Competitive Terrain Map™ framework, deploying advanced market research and industry context that top-tier consulting firms charge six figures to deliver.
Align your market map with user and buyer behavior, pinpointing exactly what customers in your landscape will pay for.
Walk out with a concrete deliverable: your own completed terrain map and the single highest-leverage strategic move it reveals.

Note: 
Come with an idea and your laptop. 
If you don't have a concrete product idea yet, that's completely fine. We will provide real-world sample cases so you can practice adapting this framework to any industry, business, or product challenge you encounter next.

Agenda:
6 – 6:30 pm:
 Networking over dinner and drinks
6:30 – 8 pm:
 Workshop
8 – 8:30 pm:
 Post-event networking

Alisha Outridge
 is the Chief Product & Technology Officer at
 
Byte & Chord.
 A veteran leader at the intersection of product and engineering, Alisha has spent her career building scalable platforms and navigating the technical and strategic complexities of enterprise-grade technology. Previously, she has held multiple PM leadership roles as CTO and CPO at various startups, with two exits, and was a Senior PM Director at Meta. 
​

Trampoline is dedicated to upleveling the next generation of leaders. Trampoline works with both individuals and businesses to reach their full potential. At Trampoline, we help leaders Bounce Back. Lift Up. Thrive Forward.

UCLA

Facebook

Manager

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Google

Global Head, Workspace AI Safety Policy, Google

You are the calm presence who’s perfectly happy to go with the flow, bringing peace and balance wherever you are

The Chill One/Laid-Back Hangout Buddy

Singapore Global Network

Regional Director (Americas)

You are the compassionate listener who holds space for everyone’s secrets and offers wisdom that runs deep

The Therapist/Confidante

Columbia University

Byte & Chord

Chief Product & Technology Officer (CTO / CPO)

Join <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/alishaoutridge/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(17, 85, 204); background-color: transparent;">Alisha Outridge</a> (Chief Product &amp; Technology Officer at Byte &amp; Chord) for an interactive workshop to level up your product strategy and master the framework required to survive and win in the AI landscape. This session is suited for both entrepreneurs and corporate intrapreneurs who want to move past shallow feature checklists and build a world-class market analysis that defines where their product actually sits before writing a single line of code. More info about <a href="http://aifounderplaybook.com" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(17, 85, 204); background-color: transparent;">AI Founder Playbook</a>. You’ll learn how to:<ul style="margin: 0px;"><li style="padding-top: 2px; padding-bottom: 2px;">Deconstruct why traditional competitive analysis fails, shifting from generic feature matrices to true strategic positioning.</li><li style="padding-top: 2px; padding-bottom: 2px;">Master the Competitive Terrain Map™ framework, deploying advanced market research and industry context that top-tier consulting firms charge six figures to deliver.</li><li style="padding-top: 2px; padding-bottom: 2px;">Align your market map with user and buyer behavior, pinpointing exactly what customers in your landscape will pay for.</li><li style="padding-top: 2px; padding-bottom: 2px;">Walk out with a concrete deliverable: your own completed terrain map and the single highest-leverage strategic move it reveals.</li></ul> Note: Come with an idea and your laptop. If you don't have a concrete product idea yet, that's completely fine. We will provide real-world sample cases so you can practice adapting this framework to any industry, business, or product challenge you encounter next. Agenda:<ul style="margin: 0px;"><li style="padding-top: 2px; padding-bottom: 2px;">6 – 6:30 pm: Networking over dinner and drinks</li><li style="padding-top: 2px; padding-bottom: 2px;">6:30 – 8 pm: Workshop</li><li style="padding-top: 2px; padding-bottom: 2px;">8 – 8:30 pm: Post-event networking</li></ul> <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/alishaoutridge/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(17, 85, 204);">Alisha Outridge</a> is the Chief Product &amp; Technology Officer at<a href="http://byteandchord.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent;"> </a><a href="http://byteandchord.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(17, 85, 204);">Byte &amp; Chord.</a> A veteran leader at the intersection of product and engineering, Alisha has spent her career building scalable platforms and navigating the technical and strategic complexities of enterprise-grade technology. Previously, she has held multiple PM leadership roles as CTO and CPO at various startups, with two exits, and was a Senior PM Director at Meta.&nbsp;​ Trampoline is dedicated to upleveling the next generation of leaders. Trampoline works with both individuals and businesses to reach their full potential. At Trampoline, we help leaders Bounce Back. Lift Up. Thrive Forward.

AI Founder Playbook: Mapping the Competitive Terrain

Cre8ive NYC - Multipurpose Office/Studio/Rehearsal Spaces

Join your favorite corporate underlings and comedians Sam Doctor and Rosemary Cipriano for an evening of raging against the workplace. Featuring the funniest women in your team meeting, and one man (for diversity purposes).

July 2026 Big Boss Headliner: Laura Sogar

July 2026 Thought Leaders:
Alysia Hush
Leona Gaither
Liv Talley
Ivi Demi
Get updates on the agenda @WomenAreWorkingHereComedy

Shortcut

Sr. Product Manager

<div style="margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 20px; margin-left: 0px;">Join your favorite corporate underlings and comedians Sam Doctor and Rosemary Cipriano for an evening of raging against the workplace. Featuring the funniest women in your team meeting, and one man (for diversity purposes). July 2026 Big Boss Headliner: Laura Sogar July 2026 Thought Leaders:Alysia HushLeona GaitherLiv TalleyIvi DemiGet updates on the agenda @WomenAreWorkingHereComedy</div>

Reserve a spot, tickets can be purchased at the venue or on QED’s website.

Reserve a Spot ($10 ENTRY)

Comedy Show: Women Are Working Here

Q.E.D.

Invite & approval only: Founders and VCs with $500k-$10M+ in revenue or funding 

Make meaningful connections with other like-minded founders and VCs over fun shuffleboard games and complimentary food & drinks! Expect an evening filled with new learnings, curated connections, and impactful conversations that will leave you inspired. 

We will have a short panel session and Q&A with our speakers. You’ll have the chance to ask them questions and gain valuable insights.

Don’t miss this opportunity to gain actionable insights and connect with peers in an intimate, engaging environment!

You are the cheerleader who believes in everyone’s potential, celebrating every milestone with genuine excitement

The Nurturer/Cheerleader

National University of Singapore

Assistant General Manager, New York

Invite &amp; approval only: Founders and VCs with $500k-$10M+ in revenue or funding&nbsp; Make meaningful connections with other like-minded founders and VCs over fun shuffleboard games and complimentary food &amp; drinks! Expect an evening filled with new learnings, curated connections, and impactful conversations that will leave you inspired.&nbsp; We will have a short panel session and Q&amp;A with our speakers. You’ll have the chance to ask them questions and gain valuable insights. Don’t miss this opportunity to gain actionable insights and connect with peers in an intimate, engaging environment!

M13 is an early-stage venture capital firm that focuses on investing in visionary founders who are developing software businesses in sectors like the future of work, health, commerce, and money. M13 primarily invests at the seed and Series A stages and has built a portfolio of over 200 direct investments, including several companies that have achieved unicorn status.

M13 employs a unique "Propulsion" model, which features a team of full-time operators that provide operational support and strategic counsel to portfolio companies. This model enhances the firm's ability to help startups scale effectively by filling executive experience gaps. M13 also offers a venture studio called Launchpad, assisting founders in addressing team and product development needs. The firm is dedicated to supporting early-stage startup founders seeking funding and operational expertise to create impactful companies.

Principal

July Founders x VCs Shuffleboard Social in NYC feat. M13 (~$2B AUM)

Join founders, investors, operators, and ecosystem builders for an evening of meaningful conversations above the New York City skyline.

​Yorkseed Venture Social is a curated gathering designed to bring together ambitious founders and active investors in a relaxed, high-quality setting. Whether you're building, investing, fundraising, exploring partnerships, or simply looking to expand your network, this is an opportunity to connect with people shaping the future of innovation.

​Unlike traditional networking events, Yorkseed gatherings focus on authentic conversations and long-term relationships. Expect a diverse mix of founders, angel investors, venture capitalists, family office representatives, and ecosystem leaders from New York and beyond.

​🍸 What to expect:
​• Curated networking with verified founders, investors, and decision makers
• Rooftop venue with NYC skyline views
• Meaningful introductions and conversations
• Cross-border opportunities and global perspectives
• Access to Yorkseed's global venture ecosystem

Yorkseed

CEO / Founder

montaukpcc.co

director

Join founders, investors, operators, and ecosystem builders for an evening of meaningful conversations above the New York City skyline. ​Yorkseed Venture Social is a curated gathering designed to bring together ambitious founders and active investors in a relaxed, high-quality setting. Whether you're building, investing, fundraising, exploring partnerships, or simply looking to expand your network, this is an opportunity to connect with people shaping the future of innovation. ​Unlike traditional networking events, Yorkseed gatherings focus on authentic conversations and long-term relationships. Expect a diverse mix of founders, angel investors, venture capitalists, family office representatives, and ecosystem leaders from New York and beyond. ​🍸 What to expect:​•&nbsp;Curated networking&nbsp;with verified founders, investors, and decision makers• Rooftop venue with NYC skyline views• Meaningful introductions and conversations• Cross-border opportunities and global perspectives• Access to Yorkseed's global venture ecosystem

Yorkseed Venture Social

The Ready Cantina

For founders, investors, young and seasoned professionals, graduating students, and anyone interested in a career related to SEA. Find out more at 
sea.supermomos.com
! 
Panelists include 
Managing Director & Head of Wealth at Goldman Sachs
, 
Founder with $77M+ raised
, 
McKinsey & HBS Alumni
, and more. 

Most networking events leave you with a tote bag and a vague sense you should follow up with someone. This one is built backwards from a single outcome: by 4pm you walk into the career fair having heard the real case for building a career tied to Southeast Asia, met people who actually did it, sat across from people who are hiring, and learned the specific moves that turn a coffee chat into an offer.

What to expect: complimentary lunch and a keynote to start, panels from executives who've actually built across SEA, a facilitated networking block powered by our AI matching algorithm, and a career fair + happy hour with firms spanning SEA and the US!

For founders, investors, young and seasoned professionals, graduating students, and anyone interested in a career related to SEA. Find out more at <a href="https://sea.supermomos.com" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">sea.supermomos.com</a>! Panelists include Managing Director &amp; Head of Wealth at Goldman Sachs, Founder with $77M+ raised, McKinsey &amp; HBS Alumni, and more.&nbsp; Most networking events leave you with a tote bag and a vague sense you should follow up with someone. This one is built backwards from a single outcome: by 4pm you walk into the career fair having heard the real case for building a career tied to Southeast Asia, met people who actually did it, sat across from people who are hiring, and learned the specific moves that turn a coffee chat into an offer. What to expect: complimentary lunch and a keynote to start, panels from executives who've actually built across SEA, a facilitated networking block powered by our AI matching algorithm, and a career fair + happy hour with firms spanning SEA and the US!

Tech & Business Summit in NYC, Southeast Asia (SEA) Edition

Startup Grind
 is the world’s largest community of startups, founders, innovators and 
builders. We accelerate the tech ecosystem with curated events, expert content, and connections that drive growth.

This is the monthly Startup Grind tech mixer. It's a low-key way to 
connect with the NYC tech and startup community
 to discover shared interests, explore areas for collaboration, and find your next co-founder or key hire.

Join us for a casual happy hour to build real relationships and make friends, not just contacts. 
No pitches. No presentations. No agenda.

This happy hour is for:
Startup Founders & Employees
Technologists, Developers & Tech Workers
Product Managers & Designers
Investors, VCs, Advisors & Mentors
Anyone curious about the NYC tech scene

Agenda:
5:00 PM: Happy Hour starts. Come and go as you please.

We're at the new 
Time Out Market at Union Square
. It features a selection of the city's best food and drink together under one roof, offering a wide variety of options to choose from throughout the event. 

Look for Startup Grind table signs toward the back near the outdoor terrace.

University of North Texas

Startup Grind

Managing Director 

<a href="http://startupgrind.com/new-york-city" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(38, 38, 38);">Startup Grind</a>&nbsp;is the world’s largest community of startups, founders, innovators and&nbsp;builders. We accelerate the tech ecosystem with curated events, expert content, and connections that drive growth. This is the monthly Startup Grind tech mixer. It's a low-key way to&nbsp;connect with the NYC tech and startup community&nbsp;to&nbsp;discover shared interests, explore areas for collaboration, and find your next co-founder or key hire. Join us for a casual happy hour to build real relationships and make friends, not just contacts.&nbsp;No pitches. No presentations. No agenda. This happy hour is for:<ul style="margin: 0px;"><li style="padding-top: 2px; padding-bottom: 2px;">Startup Founders &amp; Employees</li><li style="padding-top: 2px; padding-bottom: 2px;">Technologists, Developers &amp; Tech Workers</li><li style="padding-top: 2px; padding-bottom: 2px;">Product Managers &amp; Designers</li><li style="padding-top: 2px; padding-bottom: 2px;">Investors, VCs, Advisors &amp; Mentors</li><li style="padding-top: 2px; padding-bottom: 2px;">Anyone curious about the NYC tech scene</li></ul> Agenda:<ul style="margin: 0px;"><li style="padding-top: 2px; padding-bottom: 2px;">5:00 PM: Happy Hour starts. Come and go as you please.</li></ul> We're at the new&nbsp;<a href="https://www.timeout.com/time-out-market-union-square" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: inherit;">Time Out Market at Union Square</a>. It features a selection of the city's best food and drink together under one roof, offering a wide variety of options to choose from throughout the event.&nbsp; Look for Startup Grind table signs toward the back near the outdoor terrace.

Tech Happy Hour by Startup Grind

Time Out Market Union Square

Tech Gather NYC is a mixer for anyone and everyone in NYC Tech.

New to Tech? Welcome!
15 years in? Come on down!
Just got to the city? Get to know the techies here!
Been here forever? Grab your "Pizza Rat" headband and welcome the newbies.

Be you Product, UI, Coder or Solutions or any of the buzz terms our industry throws out there, come unwind at a chill bar and make real connections.
Did I mention the whole thing is free?

Tech Gather NYC is a mixer for anyone and everyone in NYC Tech. New to Tech? Welcome!15 years in? Come on down!Just got to the city? Get to know the techies here!Been here forever? Grab your "Pizza Rat" headband and welcome the newbies. Be you Product, UI, Coder or Solutions or any of the buzz terms our industry throws out there, come unwind at a chill bar and make real connections.Did I mention the whole thing is free?

Tech Gather NYC June Meetup

Sugar Mouse NYC

For Founders & VCs - Approval & Invite-Only

We're excited to invite both our VC community and  cohort of interns from the NYC VC Internship Program (in partnership with NYCEDC, Everywhere Ventures, CUNY IAR, and Kauffman Fellows), to join us for 
Founder Pitfalls
, an insider session with 
Peter Fusco, Co-Chair of Emerging Companies & VC Practice at Morrison Foerster
.

Peter will dig into the common mistakes that hold founders back and what investors look for along the way. After the conversation, we will open the room up to other founders and VCs from our network, so you can meet them, ask questions, and start building the kind of relationships that shape a career in venture.

There will be ample time for mingling, peer exchange, and conversations! 

About the 
NYC VC Internship Program
:
 The NYC VC Internship Program connects NYC-based venture capital firms with pre-screened and pre-trained students from NYC-based colleges for internship experiences. The 2026 program will place approximately 33 students in summer internships across VC host firms. Our mission is to create a more inclusive and thriving startup and venture capital ecosystem in NYC, by empowering the next generation of diverse young talent.

For Founders &amp; VCs - Approval &amp; Invite-Only We're excited to invite both our VC community and cohort of interns from the NYC VC Internship Program (in partnership with NYCEDC, Everywhere Ventures, CUNY IAR, and Kauffman Fellows), to join us for Founder Pitfalls, an insider session with Peter Fusco, Co-Chair of Emerging Companies &amp; VC Practice at Morrison Foerster. Peter will dig into the common mistakes that hold founders back and what investors look for along the way. After the conversation, we will open the room up to other founders and VCs from our network, so you can meet them, ask questions, and start building the kind of relationships that shape a career in venture. There will be ample time for mingling, peer exchange, and conversations!&nbsp; About the <a href="https://edc.nyc/program/nyc-vc-internship-program" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">NYC VC Internship Program</a>: The NYC VC Internship Program connects NYC-based venture capital firms with pre-screened and pre-trained students from NYC-based colleges for internship experiences. The 2026 program will place approximately 33 students in summer internships across VC host firms. Our mission is to create a more inclusive and thriving startup and venture capital ecosystem in NYC, by empowering the next generation of diverse young talent.

With more than 1,000 lawyers across 19 offices, Morrison Foerster (MoFo) is a preeminent global law firm dedicated to delivering business-oriented results to clients across Asia, the United States and Europe. The Singapore office features lawyers with many years of experience in South and Southeast Asia. With offices in Shanghai and Hong Kong, MoFo has handled major matters in China for nearly 40 years. In Japan, MoFo has the largest presence of any global firm and is one of the largest law firms in the country, domestic or international.

Co-Chair, Emerging Companies & Venture Capital Practice

NYC Venture Capital Internship Program: Founder Pitfalls

​Most founders treat visibility like a marketing tactic. It is not.
​It is the hard call to be seen clearly. Clear enough that the right people get you, and the wrong people keep walking.
​This room is about what it costs to live your brand in public. The no's. The friction. The moments where being honest costs you something first, then pays you back.
​🎯 Why You Should Attend
​Hear founders break down how visibility actually turns into trust, reach, and revenue.
​Get the hard part. The tradeoffs. The no's. The rooms they skipped. The calls that cost them something.
​Learn what happens when your brand finally matches how you operate.
​Meet builders who are done pretending they have it all figured out.
​🙋 Who's Getting In This Room
​LGBTQIA+ founders, builders, and community leaders
​Luminary members and New York founders in the thick of it
​Service-based and product-based operators trying to earn attention the hard way
​Brand, marketing, and community people who know polish is not the same as proof
​People building something real, and tired of rooms that talk in circles
​🎤 Who’s Taking the Stage
​
Kris Harvey
 - Founder & Creative Director 
at 
Kris Averi
​Kris Harvey is the Founder and Creative Director of Kris Averi, an inclusive fine jewelry brand specializing in bespoke engagement rings and heirloom-quality custom jewelry handcrafted in NYC. Inspired by nature, spirituality, storytelling, and human connection, Kris founded the brand in 2017 with a heart-centered approach focused on deeply understanding each client’s story and translating their vision into timeless, one-of-a-kind heirlooms. As a queer designer, Kris is passionate about creating celebrated spaces for all expressions of love, identity, and devotion. Her work has been featured in The New York Times, British Vogue, and worn by artists including Cyndi Lauper.
​
​
Glenn Johnson
 - Marketing Consultant/Fractional CMO
​Glenn Johnson works with brands, startups, and founders to address their marketing and branding needs. “From 0-1, to pivot and growth, from idea to production, from packaging to sales strategies, key markets and comp set research and who to work with, I craft a plan and a strategy to get it done. I help brands build their business, for me, Ugly Talks is about the story and the lessons.”
​A former VP/Creative Director at a Madison Avenue agency specializing in luxury and bespoke audiences, he brings expertise across multiple verticals. As a category-agnostic brand storyteller, he helps founders define their mission, vision and develop their brand business.
​
​
Angela Chuang
 - Founder & Creative Director
 at 
a/c space
​Angie Chuang is the founder of a/c space, a menswear brand shaped by her Taiwanese-American heritage, New York sensibility, and commitment to craftsmanship. A Parsons School of Design–trained designer, she brings more than a decade of experience from Coach, Theory, and Brooks Brothers. Through a/c space, Chuang creates thoughtful, versatile menswear rooted in fit, quality, and intentional design. Produced in New York City’s Garment District, the brand champions local manufacturing, responsible production, and the artistry of small-batch makers.
​
​Moderator:
​
Ayanna Dutton-Diaz
 - Founder of AD Consulting
​Ayanna Dutton-Diaz is a brand strategist, speaker, and Founder of AD Consulting. She works with founders and multi-hyphenate leaders ready to stop limiting themselves to one identity and build a brand that finally reflects who they actually are. Drawing on 15+ years inside global brands including LinkedIn, Meta, and Cadillac, she equips leaders with the clarity and language they need to find their through line and build presence that opens doors. Past stages include Goldman Sachs One Million Black Women x Brooklyn Public Library LevelUP, LinkedIn x Cannes Lions, The One Club for Creativity, Luminary, and The Female Quotient. She co-founded Non-Corporate Girls™ and writes The Aya Brand on Substack. Whether through keynotes, workshops, or panel moderation, she leaves every room with something they can use.
​
​💬 What We Do Not Sugarcoat
​Visibility is not exposure for exposure's sake. It is being known for something, then living up to it.
​The right yes usually shows up after a few painful no's.
​If your brand says one thing and your decisions say another, people feel it fast.
​Being seen sounds good until the scrutiny hits. Then you find out if the brand was real or just pretty.

 Run-of-Show
Doors Open: 5:00 PM
Panel Begins: 5:30 PM
Panel Concludes: 6:30 PM
Audience Q&A: Approximately 15 minutes
Happy Hour at Glass Ceiling: 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM
​
​Who's Backing This
​
Luminary
​Luminary is a global, membership-based professional education and networking platform founded with the mission to uplift, up-skill, and propel women and their allies forward through all phases of their professional journeys.
​
​
GREY Journal
 – Media partner spotlighting modern entrepreneurs (featured on Apple News + Google News).
​
​⭐ About Ugly Talk:
​Started in 2019, Ugly Talk has been transforming business setbacks into breakthrough “aha!” moments by hosting unfiltered, no-nonsense events where battle-tested entrepreneurs share their raw lessons and insights.
​With a growing presence in cities like New York, Chicago, San Francisco, and Miami, we’ve built a vibrant community of thousands of founders and industry leaders making a profound impact on the entrepreneurial landscape.
​Official Website: 
UglyTalk.com

​Most founders treat visibility like a marketing tactic. It is not.​It is the hard call to be seen clearly. Clear enough that the right people get you, and the wrong people keep walking.​This room is about what it costs to live your brand in public. The no's. The friction. The moments where being honest costs you something first, then pays you back.<h4>​🎯 Why You Should Attend</h4><ul style="margin: 0px;"><li style="padding-top: 2px; padding-bottom: 2px;">​Hear founders break down how visibility actually turns into trust, reach, and revenue.</li><li style="padding-top: 2px; padding-bottom: 2px;">​Get the hard part. The tradeoffs. The no's. The rooms they skipped. The calls that cost them something.</li><li style="padding-top: 2px; padding-bottom: 2px;">​Learn what happens when your brand finally matches how you operate.</li><li style="padding-top: 2px; padding-bottom: 2px;">​Meet builders who are done pretending they have it all figured out.</li></ul><h4>​🙋 Who's Getting In This Room</h4><ul style="margin: 0px;"><li style="padding-top: 2px; padding-bottom: 2px;">​LGBTQIA+ founders, builders, and community leaders</li><li style="padding-top: 2px; padding-bottom: 2px;">​Luminary members and New York founders in the thick of it</li><li style="padding-top: 2px; padding-bottom: 2px;">​Service-based and product-based operators trying to earn attention the hard way</li><li style="padding-top: 2px; padding-bottom: 2px;">​Brand, marketing, and community people who know polish is not the same as proof</li><li style="padding-top: 2px; padding-bottom: 2px;">​People building something real, and tired of rooms that talk in circles</li></ul><h4>​🎤 Who’s Taking the Stage</h4><img src="https://images.lumacdn.com/cdn-cgi/image/format=auto,fit=cover,dpr=2,quality=75,width=800,height=800/uploads/6i/63c23b55-b88e-45f3-b48f-cb8c03c5c7b0.jpeg" alt="User Uploaded Image" style="max-width: 100%; height: auto; display: block;">​<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/kris-harvey-averi/?utm_source=luma" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(81, 151, 198);">Kris Harvey</a> - Founder &amp; Creative Director at Kris Averi​Kris Harvey is the Founder and Creative Director of Kris Averi, an inclusive fine jewelry brand specializing in bespoke engagement rings and heirloom-quality custom jewelry handcrafted in NYC. Inspired by nature, spirituality, storytelling, and human connection, Kris founded the brand in 2017 with a heart-centered approach focused on deeply understanding each client’s story and translating their vision into timeless, one-of-a-kind heirlooms. As a queer designer, Kris is passionate about creating celebrated spaces for all expressions of love, identity, and devotion. Her work has been featured in The New York Times, British Vogue, and worn by artists including Cyndi Lauper.​<img src="https://images.lumacdn.com/cdn-cgi/image/format=auto,fit=cover,dpr=2,quality=75,width=800,height=800/uploads/aw/bef6c9f1-139f-4adf-a81e-ff4ad008a26d.jpeg" alt="User Uploaded Image" style="max-width: 100%; height: auto; display: block;">​<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/glenn-johnson-nyc1/?utm_source=luma" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(81, 151, 198);">Glenn Johnson</a> - Marketing Consultant/Fractional CMO​Glenn Johnson works with brands, startups, and founders to address their marketing and branding needs. “From 0-1, to pivot and growth, from idea to production, from packaging to sales strategies, key markets and comp set research and who to work with, I craft a plan and a strategy to get it done. I help brands build their business, for me, Ugly Talks is about the story and the lessons.”​A former VP/Creative Director at a Madison Avenue agency specializing in luxury and bespoke audiences, he brings expertise across multiple verticals. As a category-agnostic brand storyteller, he helps founders define their mission, vision and develop their brand business.​<img src="https://images.lumacdn.com/cdn-cgi/image/format=auto,fit=cover,dpr=2,quality=75,width=800,height=800/uploads/ek/a54ce348-3792-4af2-be63-bf58d9a6217d.jpeg" alt="User Uploaded Image" style="max-width: 100%; height: auto; display: block;">​<a href="https://www.instagram.com/theacspace?utm_source=luma" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(81, 151, 198);">Angela Chuang</a> - Founder &amp; Creative Director at a/c space​Angie Chuang is the founder of a/c space, a menswear brand shaped by her Taiwanese-American heritage, New York sensibility, and commitment to craftsmanship. A Parsons School of Design–trained designer, she brings more than a decade of experience from Coach, Theory, and Brooks Brothers. Through a/c space, Chuang creates thoughtful, versatile menswear rooted in fit, quality, and intentional design. Produced in New York City’s Garment District, the brand champions local manufacturing, responsible production, and the artistry of small-batch makers.​​Moderator:<img src="https://images.lumacdn.com/cdn-cgi/image/format=auto,fit=cover,dpr=2,quality=75,width=800,height=800/uploads/ks/04434f9c-2af4-4cbd-9e1f-2a0399d99ed3.jpeg" alt="User Uploaded Image" style="max-width: 100%; height: auto; display: block;">​<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/ayannadutton/?utm_source=luma" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(81, 151, 198);">Ayanna Dutton-Diaz</a> - Founder of AD Consulting​Ayanna Dutton-Diaz is a brand strategist, speaker, and Founder of AD Consulting. She works with founders and multi-hyphenate leaders ready to stop limiting themselves to one identity and build a brand that finally reflects who they actually are. Drawing on 15+ years inside global brands including LinkedIn, Meta, and Cadillac, she equips leaders with the clarity and language they need to find their through line and build presence that opens doors. Past stages include Goldman Sachs One Million Black Women x Brooklyn Public Library LevelUP, LinkedIn x Cannes Lions, The One Club for Creativity, Luminary, and The Female Quotient. She co-founded Non-Corporate Girls™ and writes The Aya Brand on Substack. Whether through keynotes, workshops, or panel moderation, she leaves every room with something they can use.​<h4>​💬 What We Do Not Sugarcoat</h4><ul style="margin: 0px;"><li style="padding-top: 2px; padding-bottom: 2px;">​Visibility is not exposure for exposure's sake. It is being known for something, then living up to it.</li><li style="padding-top: 2px; padding-bottom: 2px;">​The right yes usually shows up after a few painful no's.</li><li style="padding-top: 2px; padding-bottom: 2px;">​If your brand says one thing and your decisions say another, people feel it fast.</li><li style="padding-top: 2px; padding-bottom: 2px;">​Being seen sounds good until the scrutiny hits. Then you find out if the brand was real or just pretty.</li></ul> <h5>&nbsp;Run-of-Show</h5><ul style="margin: 0px;"><li style="padding-top: 2px; padding-bottom: 2px;">Doors Open: 5:00 PM</li><li style="padding-top: 2px; padding-bottom: 2px;">Panel Begins: 5:30 PM</li><li style="padding-top: 2px; padding-bottom: 2px;">Panel Concludes: 6:30 PM</li><li style="padding-top: 2px; padding-bottom: 2px;">Audience Q&amp;A: Approximately 15 minutes</li><li style="padding-top: 2px; padding-bottom: 2px;">Happy Hour at Glass Ceiling: 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM</li></ul>​<h4>​Who's Backing This</h4><img src="https://images.lumacdn.com/cdn-cgi/image/format=auto,fit=cover,dpr=2,quality=75,width=800,height=240.4907975460123/uploads/bc/3ffdaade-d720-4c8d-bf70-c6757c0a7da6.jpeg" alt="User Uploaded Image" style="max-width: 100%; height: auto; display: block;">​<a href="https://www.weareluminary.com/home?utm_source=luma" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(81, 151, 198);">Luminary</a>​Luminary is a global, membership-based professional education and networking platform founded with the mission to uplift, up-skill, and propel women and their allies forward through all phases of their professional journeys.​<img src="https://images.lumacdn.com/cdn-cgi/image/format=auto,fit=cover,dpr=2,quality=75,width=800,height=240/editor-images/wr/6ed2991d-11e1-498b-9880-80b61f77949b.png" alt="User Uploaded Image" style="max-width: 100%; height: auto; display: block;">​<a href="https://greyjournal.net/?utm_source=luma" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(81, 151, 198);">GREY Journal</a> – Media partner spotlighting modern entrepreneurs (featured on Apple News + Google News).​<h4>​⭐ About Ugly Talk:</h4>​Started in 2019, Ugly Talk has been transforming business setbacks into breakthrough “aha!” moments by hosting unfiltered, no-nonsense events where battle-tested entrepreneurs share their raw lessons and insights.​With a growing presence in cities like New York, Chicago, San Francisco, and Miami, we’ve built a vibrant community of thousands of founders and industry leaders making a profound impact on the entrepreneurial landscape.​Official Website: <a href="https://uglytalk.com/?utm_source=luma" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(81, 151, 198);">UglyTalk.com</a>

Events

Past Events