Strived.io

Honored to be recognized as one of THE AI SHOW @ ASU+GSV Show ASU+GSV Summit Leading Women in AI honorees, alongside so many brilliant women pushing AI forward. We do not normally lead with "AI for X" in our dialogue because we did not build a company because of "AI", rather we found a problem that we genuinely realize AI could be helpful in solving - while recognizing its limitations. My hope is that's the way the dialogue continues in our space! Grateful to be in such good company and excited to be at the table in the conversation about how to move forward to make sure we use AI in the most beneficial way possible—for my little ones and every single one we intend to touch! #WomenInAI #ASUGSVAIShow

We are so excited to share that the Sacramento Kings have opened applications for Tenth Annual Capitalize: Technology Contest!! If you are a startup in the Sacramento Region, this is really one of the most fun and impactful things you can to to raise awareness about your company. Love seeing GF portco founder, Shweta Gandhi, last year's winner - featured here. And, excited that GF portco and Capitalize Alumni Reviver is presenting this year's competition alongside longtime supporters City of Sacramento and Fidium. Read on and APPLY TODAY! The Sacramento Kings are excited to announce the 10th year of Capitalize: Technology, the NBA's first-ever crowdsourced startup competition. ? If your technology startup is located within 70 miles of Golden 1 Center, learn more and apply now at Kings.com/Capitalize by February 7, 11:59 p.m. PT for a chance to: ·???????Receive mentorship and coaching. ·???????Compete on Pitch Day in front of a panel of top executives, investors, and industry leaders. ·???????Create a video to engage fan voting. ·???????Take home a $10,000 prize to help grow your business! ? The winner will be determined during the Kings vs. Denver Nuggets game on April 9. ? Since 2016, Capitalize has showcased Sacramento as a hub of innovation and empowered startups with mentorship and critical connections.?This year’s competition is presented by Reviver, the Sacramento Kings Official Innovation Partner, alongside Fidium Fiber and the City of Sacramento’s Office of Innovation and Economic Development. Mark Haney Monique Brown Rick Spencer Shweta Gandhi Michael Young Aubree Smith Louis Stewart Nikki Sims Aaron Mondell Anderson Cameron R. Law Laura Good Amy Schulz, PhD, MBA Mehrshad Mansouri

Delayed post, but humbled to be part of this incredible group of innovators. Recently, I had a conversation with a teacher who was surprised by how much I, as a founder, focus on whether the problem we’re solving truly addresses at least one of the top three pain points in the classroom. He shared how vastly different his daily challenges are from mine. We didn’t walk away with any grand conclusions, but there was a mutual respect: I’m working hard to ensure we’re not just building a company for the sake of building one or slapping AI onto it, and he’s doing the hard work every single day on the ground. There’s often a combative narrative about "AI/EdTech founders" versus "teachers/users." But having been on both sides, I know we’re all fighting the same battle—founders making pennies trying to create something meaningful, and teachers making pennies trying to shape the future. This holiday, I hope we can take a step back and recognize how much we are in the same boat. I’m grateful for this community of founders I see regularly and but hope to spend more time with teachers in 2025. And yes, to any teachers I talk too out there, keep pushing me, it's what makes me/us better! Thanks to Ben Kornell, Laurence Holt, Alex Sarlin in pulling this amazing map together! https://lnkd.in/gHXHH_XS

It’s rare to see a city truly take action on its commitments—especially when that means finding capital that often seems out of reach. But for the past two years, I’ve witnessed Sacramento do just that, consistently turning aspirations into reality for entrepreneurs. Today’s gathering was a perfect example of this magic in motion. From young startups like Strived.io, to Series B companies like unstructured.io, and even those on the cusp of going public like @Blaize, the room was brimming with some of the brightest minds and showcased a powerful microcosm of what’s possible when a city puts its money where its mouth is. I had the honor of sharing the stage with two incredible founders, Brian S. Raymond and Dinakar Munagala, speaking to a room full of champions, investors, friends, and colleagues—all thanks to the Sacramento Business Journal's convening. It was a moment to reflect on the work we’ve accomplished and the exciting road ahead. As Ray Bryant said to me on a call today, this ecosystem started flourishing just five years ago because a few bold people *dreamed big*. It’s an incredible privilege to be part of this thriving community where entrepreneurship is celebrated, supported, and empowered. This is just the beginning. Stay tuned—there’s so much more to come. ?? And a shoutout to Rebecca Nguyen for these lovely photos! FourthWave.io, Growth Factory, Rich Foreman, Franklin Burris, MPA, Cameron R. Law, Josh David Miller, Loc Nguyen, ??Christy S., Mark Haney, Rick Spencer, Monique Brown, Nikki Sims, Vibhu Mittal, NewSchools, Barbara DeHart, Saumya Garg, May Chinavanichkit, Arlene J. Miranda, Laura Good, Sara Rodrigues, MA, Brooke B.,