?? The Power of Community: 2023 Recap of Emerging LA

As someone who was once more comfortable in the shadows, leading the charge at Emerging LA has been both a personal and professional triumph.

2023 has been a landmark year for Emerging LA - a journey from introverted beginnings to creating a bustling tech community!

20 years ago, in high school, I was literally voted 'Most Shy'.

I confess...

I am an introvert.

Always have been and always will be.

But how am I hosting events, and why am I fostering a thriving community? ??

This is a testament to the power of stepping out of one's comfort zone! It's about embracing the unexpected and finding strength in what once seemed challenging.

It is also about the power of community. I deeply believe that community can transform lives.

I can speak firsthand about how different communities have had different impacts on my life.

Emerging LA came into existence in 2023 organically around amazing people in the LA ecosystem who expressed a need for community.

And I want to sincerely thank you all for showing up, because I have been blessed to get to know so many of you and found the community I had been looking for!

Last year's achievements:

• ?? Total Events: 13 transformative gatherings
• ?? Total Attendees: 324 vibrant minds and innovators
• ?? Total Subscribers: 1,458 signed up to join the community
• ?? Diverse Topics: e.g. Frontier Tech, BIPOC Founders, Emerging GPs/LPs

As we look ahead, let's make 2024 a year of even more inspiring connections and groundbreaking events.

Together, we're not just building networks; we're nurturing the future of LA's tech scene.

This wouldn’t have been possible without the help of many of you! ?? (Special shout-outs at the end)

For those who don’t yet know me (yet), hello! ??

I'm Brandon Hoffman. By day, I am a General Partner of Sunset Ventures; night & weekends, I am the founder & host of Emerging LA.

I grew up in Southern California, and after stints in New York and Silicon Valley, I was excited to return in 2019 and settle in Los Angeles.

My vision for Emerging LA is to be an IRL-focused community that brings founders, investors, and operators together to unlock the full potential of LA’s emerging tech ecosystem.

In this recap edition, you'll find the top 3 highlights for Emerging LA 2023 related to events, news, posts, members, and deals.

Enjoy!

?? Top 3 Events of 2023

Emerging LA leads the way in energizing LA's tech scene with great in-person events, bringing together the brightest minds in the room.

Here’s a snapshot of the top 3 events:

Event #1: Brex Supper Club at Brandon’s House

This event was the first that officially kicked off Emerging LA in the summer of 2023, on 7/10/23.

It was designed to be an intimate dinner, given that it was hosted at Brandon Hoffman’s home! This was an effective way to foster genuine connections among attendees.?

Support for this event came from Sunset Ventures as part of the Brex Supper Club series in LA.

(See our post for comments & photos)

Event #2: Hiking + Brunch Wharton Alumni & BIPOC friends

The Emerging LA weekend event featured a scenic hike and delightful brunch, bringing together families and friends of the BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and People of Color) communities.?

The hike started at Inspiration Loop in the Pacific Palisades and ended with brunch at the Black-owned Good People Café in Santa Monica on 11/11/23

Attendees came from alumni groups of Wharton, Harvard, and Stanford; fellows from Management Leadership for Tomorrow (MLT) and Toigo Foundation; and members of the broader LA tech community.

Support for this event came from Wharton SoCal Alumni, Sunset Ventures, and Diverse Angels.

(See our post for comments & photos)

Event #3: Gaming LA Founders and Friends

This gaming meetup was the largest Emerging LA event ever!?

It had 124 attendees at a gaming tech meetup at The One Up in Sherman Oaks, exceeding capacity fourfold on 12/14/23.

The meetup featured games, drinks, food, and spontaneous live demos, with enthusiastic feedback highlighting the community's appreciation for tech gatherings in The Valley.?

Support for this event came from Fractal, GOAT Capital, and Sunset Ventures.

(See our post for comments & photos)

Thanks to all the co-hosts & supporters: Antonio, Manisha, Joanna, Grace, Scott, Frank, Louis, Brent, Aaron, Nonya, Robin, Maiwenn, Jonathan, Jeanine, Conchita, Gerome, Art, Rob, and Jason.?

Thanks to all the partner sponsors: SVB, Sydecar, Brex, Sunset Ventures, Samsung Next, GOAT Capital, Fractal, Ziff Recruiting, Wharton, Toigo Foundation, and MLT.

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