June 18 is shaping up to be an essential date for the Silicon Valley community, as Ali Partovi and Russell Kaplan have just confirmed their participation in the highly anticipated StrictlyVC gathering in Menlo Park.
Ali Partovi, a seasoned investor known for shaking up the traditional venture capital scene, is the driving force behind Neo, a groundbreaking platform rapidly gaining prominence in the tech world. Neo distinguishes itself by systematically identifying breakthrough engineering and leadership talent long before they hit mainstream investor radars, positioning it as a direct challenger to the likes of Y Combinator.
Joining Partovi will be Russell Kaplan, the president of Cognition.ai, a high-profile coding assistant startup recently valued at an astonishing $4 billion. Cognition.ai has navigated both remarkable milestones and significant challenges in its rapid journey, marking it as a prime example of modern AI ventures’ dizzying lifecycle. Neo, notably one of Cognition.ai’s earliest backers, provides an intriguing dynamic, offering attendees a rare perspective into the evolving investor-founder relationship.
The evening’s lineup further boasts Baiju Bhatt, co-founder of Robinhood, who has seamlessly transitioned from fintech innovator to space-tech entrepreneur as founder and CEO of Aetherflux. This ambitious startup, based in San Carlos, California, exited stealth mode late last year with plans for deploying satellites designed to harvest solar power in orbit and transmit it directly to ground locations. Just last month, Aetherflux secured $50 million in Series A financing, reflecting investors’ growing enthusiasm for its bold, sustainability-focused vision.
At its heart, StrictlyVC aims to ignite meaningful discussions bridging groundbreaking concepts and real-world products, connecting thought leaders directly to the entrepreneurs, investors, and tech enthusiasts who are eager to witness technology reshaping industries in real-time.
The event will take place at “The Quad,” located prominently on Sand Hill Road—a fitting venue for an evening filled not only with rich conversations and discussions, but also ample opportunity to mingle over food and drink. Co-hosted by acclaimed early-stage investment firm Mayfield, this event promises further programming highlights yet to be announced.
Seats are expected to fill quickly, underscoring the excitement building around what promises to be a uniquely impactful gathering in the heart of Silicon Valley.
