EntreConnect

?? Join Us for Founder x Investor Mixer: 2024 AI Startup Trends and 2025 Outlook ? As we bid farewell to 2024, we’re excited to invite you to an exclusive evening of networking, insights, and celebration—designed to prepare you for the opportunities of 2025! ?? What’s in store? ?? Connect with top founders, investors, and leaders driving innovation in the startup ecosystem. ?? Discover cutting-edge insights on Fall '24 AI Applications Startup Trends & Outlooks in '25. ?? Celebrate the milestones of 2024 with great conversations, light bites, and drinks in a vibrant, casual atmosphere. ?? When: Friday, December 6th, 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM ?? Where: Palo Alto, CA ?? Featured Guests & Speakers: Zhenlin Chen, AI Investor at UpScaleX Accelerator (Portfolio: Cresta, Mistral, Pika), Stanford PhD and AI Researcher Dennis C., Managing Partner at CE Innovation Capital, LLC, (Focus: Fintech, Blockchain, AI; Portfolio: Marqeta, Figure, Circle, H2O.ai, xAi), UC Berkeley MBA, UIUC PhD Gloria Zhang Investor at DCM Ventures, (Notable investments: Musical.ly (TikTok), Kuaishou, Opus Clip, FlowGPT, EvenUp), Ex-AI Product Manager & Machine Learning Engineer ?? Spots are limited—RSVP now: https://lnkd.in/g3VdEQev ?? Whether you’re scaling your startup, plotting a successful exit, or seeking your next big idea, this event is your chance to close 2024 on a high note and kick off 2025 with fresh energy and momentum. ?? Let’s connect, learn, and shape the future—together! ?? #EntreConnect #FoundersNight #Networking #StartupCommunity #AITrends2025 #Innovation

At EntreConnect’s Startup 0 to 1 Series, we were inspired by Cecilia Li, Co-founder of Lima and CEO of Cirqled, who shared powerful insights into building and scaling startups. ?? Customer-Centric Product Development “Spend time listening to your users. Their feedback is your guide to refining your product and finding PMF,” shared Cecilia Li, reflecting on her journey. Her deep engagement with customers in the immigration sector was pivotal in shaping Lima into a service that truly meets user needs. ?? Iterative Approach to Growth Cecilia highlighted the value of starting small and iterating fast: “Start by solving one specific problem effectively, and let customer feedback drive your evolution.” ?? Building a Thoughtful Go-to-Market Strategy Cecilia emphasized the importance of adaptability: “Early-stage founders should begin with a clear but flexible approach. Customer insights are the key to refining your product and scaling effectively.” ?? Mission-Driven Teams “Your team should be as committed to the vision as you are,” Cecilia advised. “When challenges arise, it’s that shared purpose that keeps everyone moving forward together.” Want more insights like these? Checkout and subscribe to our newsletter for full takeaways of this event: https://lnkd.in/gtFdwNUU #StartupJourney #ProductMarketFit #ScalingStartups #Entrepreneurship #EntreConnect

At our recent Startup 0 to 1 Series, we were thrilled to hear from Joe (Zhou) Sha and Shuwei Yang (Brix), who shared invaluable insights from their entrepreneurial journeys: ?? On Finding Product-Market Fit: “Achieving product-market fit is rarely immediate—it’s a journey marked by pivots and dedication,” said Joe Sha, describing Percept.ai’s evolution. His initial concept didn’t resonate with customers, but through resilience and multiple pivots, it transformed into a product that ultimately thrived. ?Both Joe and Alex invested months in gathering feedback from early adopters. Key PMF Indicators: “When you’re getting close to product-market fit, it shows in the metrics—user engagement, growth, and transaction volume start to spike,” shared Alex Yang. He emphasized that founders should look for clear, organic indicators from their user base. ?? On Building with MVPs and Learning Fast: Joe shared his approach to early testing: “My first MVP was a simple landing page claiming to match engineers with startups using AI. Behind the scenes, I handled everything manually.” This lean approach allowed him to quickly understand demand and scale efficiently. ?? Execution over Perfection: “I think it’s like a video game,” Joe reflected. “In startups, find the problem space you’re solving. If a wrench works, use the wrench—don’t go straight to the gun.” His advice underscored the importance of flexibility and using practical solutions over perfect ones. Want more insights? Checkout and subscribe to our newsletter for full takeaways of this event: https://lnkd.in/gtFdwNUU

Startup 0 to 1 Series Highlights: ?? Key Framework for Evaluating Startup Ideas In an insightful fireside chat session, Rajat Suri and Sophia Xiao, coming from both founder and investor perspectives, shared their essential frameworks for evaluating startup ideas: ?? Target Large, Impactful Markets: The most resilient startups tackle complex problems in sizable markets. Focusing on substantial challenges not only drives growth potential but also attracts investors and top talent who are passionate about creating meaningful change. ?? Passion for the Problem: Founders deeply connected to the issues they aim to solve are more likely to build lasting ventures. Passion leads to a profound understanding of customer needs and fuels the persistence required to navigate tough growth stages (which might take many years). ? Execution over Ideas: Ideas are plentiful and easy, but successful startups are built on execution. The journey from concept to scalable business demands relentless testing, iteration, and adaptability—turning a spark of inspiration into a powerful, sustainable enterprise. Assessing your startup ideas with these principles in mind can lay the groundwork for impactful growth. -- Like this content? Follow us on LinkedIn or subscribe to our newsletter (https://lnkd.in/gMqYKk7c) for more insights and strategies on startup success! #0to1 #Startup #StartupIdeas #Execution #Entrepreneurship

?? What an incredible turnout for our Startup 0 to 1 Series last night! With over 200+ attendees, our speakers shared invaluable insights on navigating the startup journey, from MVPs to market fit, GTM growth, and fundraising strategies. A big shoutout to our amazing speakers: Rajat Suri, Sophia Xiao, Cecilia Li, Joe (Zhou) Sha, and Shuwei Yang for sharing their journeys and expertise! ?? Key highlights: ???Evaluating Ideas: Target high-impact problems in large markets. Founders driven by passion for a problem they understand deeply are better equipped for long-term success. ???Finding Product-Market Fit (PMF): Achieving PMF takes time and resilience, especially for complex products. Successful founders stay adaptable, pushing through challenges with consistent focus. ???Go-to-Market Strategy: Start with a targeted approach and scale only after reaching PMF. Technical founders should embrace the sales process to build trust and refine product-market alignment. ???Building the Right Team: Focus on mission-driven team members who believe in the vision. Industry mentors can offer critical guidance, helping founders navigate complex challenges. ???Smart Fundraising: Not every startup needs VC funding. Ensure venture capital aligns with growth goals, and focus on building product traction. Early customer-funded growth can be beneficial. ???B2B vs. B2C with AI: In B2B, AI drives ROI and wins large contracts; in B2C, it enhances user experience and targets niche markets. Starting small in either segment can avoid competition with big players. Special thanks to our incredible partners for making this event possible: JJ Lake Business Center, Brix, Lima, and Tribe. #Startups #0to1 #ProductMarketFit #Growth #GoToMarket #Execution #Fundraising #AI

Only 2 days left! Over 180 guests have confirmed their attendance??, and spots are filling up quickly. Don’t miss out—reserve your place now: https://lu.ma/okrme6vx! Get your questions ready for our speakers, and we can’t wait to see you at the event this Saturday! ??

Looking forward to the valuable strategies from Brix's CEO on how to navigate the challenges of scaling a startup from zero to one. RSVP NOW ?? https://lu.ma/okrme6vx

?? Get Ready! Startup 0 to 1 Series – Scaling Your Startup & Achieving Grand Exits ?? After the huge success of our previous events, How to Build a Unicorn Startup and Have Multiple Exits, we’re back with the next exciting session in the Startup 0 to 1 Series: "How to Successfully Scale Your Startup and Achieve Grand Exits" Join us for an action-packed evening where top founders and investors who have built and backed some of the most successful startups share their game-changing insights and strategies. ?? Featured Speakers & Panelists ?? Rajat Suri – Co-founder of Lima, Tribe, Former Founder & CEO of Presto (NASDAQ: PRST), Co-founder of Lyft (NASDAQ: LYFT) ?? Sophia Xiao – Former General Partner at General Catalyst, Former VP Product at Twitch ?? Cecilia Li– Co-founder of Lima, Co-founder & CEO of Cirqled ?? Joe (Zhou) Sha – Angel Investor, Former Head of Product at Atlassian, Co-founder & CEO of Percept.ai (acquired by Atlassian), YC Alumni ?? Shuwei Yang – Co-founder & CEO of Brix AI What’s On the Agenda? ?? Building an MVP & Achieving Product-Market Fit: Master the art of creating a product your users will love. ?? Go-to-Market Strategies That Work: Learn how to scale with success. ?? Avoiding Startup Pitfalls: Hear real-life lessons from experienced founders. ?? Partnering with Investors: Get inside tips on securing investor partnerships. ? Bonus Topic – The Impact of Generative AI: Discover how AI is reshaping startups and transforming success stories! ???? ?? Date: Saturday, Nov 2nd ?? Time: 3:00 PM - 5:00 PM ?? Location: Mountain View, CA ?? Snacks and beverages will be provided! ?? ?? RSVP Now to Secure Your Spot: https://lu.ma/okrme6vx Don’t miss out on this opportunity to hear from the best minds in the startup world and learn how to take your venture to the next level! ???? Also, check out our latest Newsletter for more key takeaways from the Startup 0 to 1 Series: https://lnkd.in/gWjteP-A #Startup #Entrepreneurship #ScaleUp #Founders #VC #GenerativeAI #Startup0to1 #Innovation

?? Calling all early-stage, growth-stage and AI founders & innovators! ??Ready to take your startup to the next level? Join us for an exclusive deep dive into the evolving A landscape and discover strategic growth insights to position your company for lasting success. ???? Topics We’ll Cover: ?? AI Acquisition Trends & Challenges – Navigate Big Tech's growing appetite for talent and intellectual property, and learn strategic moves to stay ahead. ?? Opportunities Beyond Big Tech – Uncover niche areas where AI startups can thrive without Big Tech's attention. ?? Applications vs. Models – Should you focus on building applications or foundational models? Learn what aligns with today’s market needs. ?? Vertical vs. General AI – Explore the pros and cons of specializing in industry-specific solutions vs. pursuing broader AI innovations. Featuring a Stellar Line-up of Speakers & Panelists: ? Rajat Suri – Co-founder of Lima and Tribe, former Founder & CEO of Presto, and Co-founder of Lyft ? Sophia Xiao – Former General Partner at General Catalyst, former VP Product at Twitch ? Cecilia Li – Co-founder of Lima, CEO of Cirqled ? Joe (Zhou) Sha– Head of Product at Atlassian, former Co-founder & CEO of Percept.ai (acquired by Atlassian) ? Shuwei Yang – Co-founder & CEO of Brix, driving AI-powered project management innovation ?? Limited spots available for this intimate event – RSVP today: https://lu.ma/okrme6vx ?? #AI #Startups #BigTech #GrowthStrategy #Founders #Investors #AIInnovation #ScalingAI #TechLeadership #Entrepreneurship

Building a unicorn startup requires more than just a great idea—it's about resilience, adaptability, and embracing pivots. ?? Vincent Yang (Firework) pivoted five times before takeoff, and another five times to scale. Payman Nejati (Ownit) faced similar challenges. Their secret? Grit, adaptability, and a culture that celebrates both wins and setbacks. Curious how to navigate the twists and turns to unicorn status? Dive into our newsletter for the full breakdown! ? https://lnkd.in/gjacwJyz #StartupJourney #Pivot #ProductMarketFit #Grit #Entrepreneurship #ZerotoOne #EntreConnect #Startup