AI Is the New Co-Founder: What Separates Breakout Startups in 2026
Details
What separates the founders who break through from those who don't? In 2026, the answer increasingly comes down to one thing: how well you harness AI. Join us for an intimate evening conversation with Mercedes Bankston, a venture partner at one of the world's most active VC firms, Loyal VC, and a director at Silicon Valley Founder Institute. Founder Institute is the world's largest pre-seed startup accelerator, with over 8,900 alumni companies, more than $2 billion in funding raised, and chapters in 200+ cities across 100 countries. Mercedes has spent over 15 years obsessing over one question: what truly makes a founder succeed? She sold her first company at 22, has invested in thousands of startups, and has a plethora of advice for you.
❯ In this candid, no-fluff session, we will explore:
- How AI is compressing the timeline from idea to funded startup — and what that means for *you* right now
- The playbook Mercedes uses to build AI-native companies at global scale
- Why the next wave of billion-dollar startups will be built by founders who treat AI as a co-founder, not just a tool
- How the venture ecosystem is being rewired — and how to position yourself to raise in this new era
- The traits and frameworks that separate founders who survive from those who thrive
**This isn't a panel. This isn't a pitch fest.**
It's a rare, off-the-record conversation with one of the most connected ecosystem builders in the world — designed for entrepreneurs who are serious about building something that matters.
Seats arelimited. Come thrsty — for beer, and for the insights that could change the trajectory of your startup.
❯❯ This is an in-person event, so be sure to RSVP at https://fi.co/e/397981/meetup to secure your spot and receive further details.