Name: Monthly SGDC Founders Hike - Knoxville
Start: 2025-05-28T10:30:00.000Z
Location: Knoxville

In a world where climate information is abundant but effective climate action remains insufficient, the ability to communicate and catalyze change has never been more vital.

Welcome to our exclusive fireside chat with Frida Berry Eklund, a pioneering climate communications expert with over two decades of experience in PR, strategic communications, and campaigns. As the co-founder of Klimatkollen (Climate Checker), Frida has revolutionized climate transparency by making local transition data and company emissions accessible to citizens through AI-powered solutions. Her work with Our Kids' Climate has connected more than 60 parent groups worldwide, mobilizing families as a powerful force for climate action. As a Climate Reality Leader and EU Climate Pact Ambassador, Frida brings unique insights into how strategic communication can bridge information gaps and inspire tangible climate action.

In this fireside chat, we'll discuss:

Translating climate data into narratives that resonate and motivate different stakeholders
How brands can communicate authentically about climate initiatives without greenwashing
The power of intergenerational perspectives in driving climate innovation and investment
Building climate communication strategies that balance urgency with hope and action
How technology and AI can increase transparency and accelerate climate transitions
Engaging consumers as active participants in climate solutions rather than passive audiences
Measuring the impact of climate communications

Whether you're a founder developing climate solutions, an investor evaluating sustainability claims, a corporate leader navigating climate communications, or an impact organization seeking to amplify your environmental message, this conversation will provide valuable insights on how effective communication can transform climate concern into meaningful action.

The discussion will be moderated by Naimul Abd – Regional Director Nordics at Startup Grind, CEO at Connect East, CEO at SweBAN, Nordic Head for Founder Institute, Nutty Ventures, and Founders Live, and Founder of Brim – Brands for Impact.

👉 Register now to discover how strategic climate communication can become your most powerful tool for driving meaningful environmental impact.

Agenda

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Speaker

Frida Berry Eklund - Klimatkollen (Co-founder)

I'm a freelance climate communications expert and author, dedicated to accelerating the climate transition, with over two decades of experience in PR, strategic communications and campaigns.
I’ve co-founded Swedish climate data and AI project, Klimatkollen (Climate Checker), making information about the local climate transition and company emissions available for citizens. In 2015 I co-…

Hosted By

Naimul Abd, Regional Director Nordics Startup Grind

Naimul Abd is a leading Nordic Ecosystem Builder and coaches more than 500 entrepreneurs per year. A finalist in Nordic Startup Awards 2023, he is Regional Director Nordics for global startup ecosystems including Founder Institute, Startup Grind, and Founders Live. He has headed several EU funded acceleration programs, transformed advisory services, events, and partnerships at a government funded social impact organization, and moderated leading startup events like Stockholm Entrepreneurs Day, Nordic Startup Festival, and Nordic Pitch Battle. Naimul is also a serial entrepreneur and an angel investor with a portfolio of impact startups. He has previously worked in the corporate sector as a strategic marketing & insights consultant for more than 20 multinational brands including Nestlé, Coca Cola, Honda, Tetra Pak. He has also tripled the topline of a fashion retailer as their marketing head and held leadership positions at advertising and research agencies. Naimul holds M.Sc. in Marketing and M.Sc. in Entrepreneurship from Sweden and, in his free time, he makes music and loves to write. His favorite quote? “The best way to predict the future is to create it,” by Peter Drucker.

Vera Ulitenko, Community Lead

I help startups and established companies define their unique identity and effectively communicate their value to customers.

Currently, as a Product Marketer at Yepstr, I enhance product adoption and customer experiences through data-driven communication.

I have successfully developed go-to-market strategies and managed product launch campaigns for 10+ ventures in Russia and Sweden.

My diverse background encompasses expertise in brand and communication strategy, go-to-market strategy, marketing automation, creative storytelling, and communication project management. I thrive on bringing creativity, strategy and structure to every project I tackle.

Christina Egerström, Community Lead

Peggie K. Ovesen, Partnerships Lead

I’m passionate about the startup journey and driven to build solutions that are good for both people and the planet. With a background in tech and business, I’ve led product development in deeptech startups across fashion, fitness, and entertainment.

My experience spans from marketing and sales at the multinational brand Nestlé to launching MVPs for early-stage startups — giving me a well-rounded perspective on building purposeful, scalable solutions.

I believe in the power of collaboration and in creating products where innovation and impact grow through shared purpose.

Outside of work, I’m a wine enthusiast , enjoys playing tennis, meditation, hiking, and weightlifting. I am always embracing new challenges that fuel personal and professional growth. Message to all- “alone we go fast, but together we go far.”

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Global Partner

Google Cloud (https://cloud.google.com/resources/content/future-of-ai-report?utm_source=events-with-google&utm_medium=et&utm_campaign=FY25-Q1-NORTHAM-SMB31054-website-dl-AIThoughtLeader-52420&utm_content=startup-grind&utm_term=-&hl=en)

Startup Grind is a global startup community designed to educate, inspire, and connect entrepreneurs. We host monthly events in more than 600 cities and 125+ countries featuring successful local founders, innovators, educators and investors who share personal stories and lessons learned on the road to building great companies. Our monthly fireside chat interviews, startup mixers and annual conferences provide ample opportunities to connect with amazing startups and the people behind them, tap into a strong support network, form meaningful connections and gain inspiration for the startup journey ahead. For more information visit StartupGrind.com or follow us on twitter @StartupGrind.
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Complete your event RSVP here: https://www.startupgrind.com/events/details/startup-grind-stockholm-presents-from-awareness-to-action-power-of-climate-communication-wfrida-berry-eklund/.

Startup Grind Stockholm

Startup Grind 

From Awareness to Action: Power of Climate Communication w/Frida Berry Eklund

Online event

This is not your typical fireside chat on venture capital - it is a masterclass in investor readiness, financial structuring, and building a startup that distrupt the global market.

Join us for an unfiltered and insighful conversation with Zachariah Georgea Wall Street–trained investment banker and co-founder and Managing Partner at Launch Africa Ventures, one of the continent’s iconic early-stage VC funds. With over 150 investments across 25+ African markets, including breakout names like Flutterwave, Yoco, and Kuda, Zach is not just backing founders, he’s helping shape the future of African tech.

In this high-impact session, Zach will break down what it really takes to raise smart capital, structure your business for long-term success, and build a company that investors believe in and customers can’t live without.

Whether you're a first-time founder or deep in your fundraising journey, this is your chance to tap into the insights, strategies, and financial practices that separate great startups from the rest.

What You Will Learn
🔍 Before the Pitch

What truly fundable startups look like behind the scenes

How to prepare your business, data, and story to attract VC interest

Aligning your vision with investor expectations and market realities

📈 Cracking the African VC Code

The silent signals investors look for (team, traction, clarity, governance)

Navigating Africa’s fragmented but fast-growing investment landscape

What differentiates standout founders from the noise

🚀 After the Funding: Now What?

Common pitfalls post-funding and how to avoid them

Operating with investor confidence and accountability

Building financial controls, growth plans, and internal systems that support scale

💼 Financial Intelligence: From Wall Street to Africa

How global investors assess risk, structure deals, and track ROI

Financial hygiene: cap tables, burn rate, margins, reporting, unit economics

Positioning your startup for future funding rounds or exit

This is more than insight it is a roadmap to building a venture-backable business with substance, scalability, and staying power. Zachariah George does not just speak theory; he has helped shape some of the most iconic African startups through his work at Launch Africa.

If you are ready to master the art of funding, sharpen your financial strategy, and think like a world-class founder—this fireside chat is where your transformation begins.

Sponsored bySpark Eighteen22 On SloaneScalexed

Agenda

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Speakers

Zachariah George - Startup Bootcamp / Cactus Advisors

Zachariah (Zach) George, who was born in India but grew up in the Middle East, spent seven years as an investment banker on Wall Street with Lehman Brothers and Barclays Capital. In 2010, intrigued by the growth of venture capital in emerging markets, he came to Cape Town on holiday to watch the FIFA World Cup, and ended up staying permanently.
Zach is the founder & MD of Cactu…

Brian Mlambo - Akha Ventures Partners (CEO & Founder)

I am a passionate entrepreneur, dynamic leader, and visionary ecosystem builder dedicated to empowering African entrepreneurs to create scalable and impactful ventures. As a Partner at Akha Ventures Partners, I have focused my career on fostering South Africa’s entrepreneurial ecosystem by driving innovation, creating opportunities, and supporting sustainable business growth.
Over the y…

Hosted By

Brian Mlambo, CEO & Founder

Introducing Brian Mlambo - an esteemed entrepreneur, dynamic leader, and visionary ecosystem builder. As the CEO & Founder of Akha Ventures and Director for Startup Grind Johannesburg, Brian stands at the pinnacle of business ecosystem creation in South Africa. With a database boasting over 35,000 entrepreneurs, Brian has been the cornerstone for many startups, bringing their aspirations to fruition.

Brian's achievements are vast and noteworthy. In under six months, he amassed a database of over 10,000 SMEs and has graced many media platforms like Jozi FM, Kaya FM, Morning Live, Kasie FM, CliffCentral, and Radio 2000.

A lifelong learner, Brian continually pursues knowledge and innovation. He's organized over 100 entrepreneurship events in recent years, sharing a stage with industry giants such as Robert Kiyosaki, author of Rich Dad Poor Dad, Allon Raiz, Founder of Raizcorp, Vusi Thembekwayo, Group CEO of MyGrowthFund and Lebo Gunguluza, CEO & Founder of The New Gem Group.

Since the tender age of 14, when he clinched the Young Entrepreneur of the Year award at the Step Up 2 A Startup Programme by Primestars, Brian has been a trailblazer in entrepreneurship. He's embarked on ventures that resonate with empowerment, inspiration, and nurturing South Africans toward entrepreneurship. Esteemed mentors like Allon Raiz, Sanjay Soni, and Lindile Xoko have guided him, solidifying his reputation.

Having organized over 100 entrepreneurial events, Brian has touched the lives of 50,000+ South African entrepreneurs over the past 5 years, solidifying his role as an ecosystem pioneer.

Brian's insightful speaking engagements reflect his profound expertise in various domains. Drawing from his rich entrepreneurial experience, he addresses topics that include ecosystem building in Africa, preparing entrepreneurs for investors, the art of effective communication, and digital transformation. His mastery over marketing and sales strategies enriches his perspective, making him a sought-after voice in the business community.

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Global Partner

Google Cloud (https://cloud.google.com/resources/content/future-of-ai-report?utm_source=events-with-google&utm_medium=et&utm_campaign=FY25-Q1-NORTHAM-SMB31054-website-dl-AIThoughtLeader-52420&utm_content=startup-grind&utm_term=-&hl=en)

Startup Grind is a global startup community designed to educate, inspire, and connect entrepreneurs. We host monthly events in more than 600 cities and 125+ countries featuring successful local founders, innovators, educators and investors who share personal stories and lessons learned on the road to building great companies. Our monthly fireside chat interviews, startup mixers and annual conferences provide ample opportunities to connect with amazing startups and the people behind them, tap into a strong support network, form meaningful connections and gain inspiration for the startup journey ahead. For more information visit StartupGrind.com or follow us on twitter @StartupGrind.
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Complete your event RSVP here: https://www.startupgrind.com/events/details/startup-grind-cape-town-presents-from-idea-to-impact-how-to-build-startups-investors-cant-ignore/.

Startup Grind Cape Town

From Idea to Impact: How to Build Startups Investors Can’t Ignore

22 On Sloane

AI-Enabled, Founder-Led
The New Blueprint for Bootstrapped Startups
In today’s hyper-competitive startup landscape, bootstrapped founders face a daunting challenge: building, shipping, and scaling without the luxury of deep VC pockets.&nbsp;

Yet a new breed of founder is proving it’s possible to do more with less—by leveraging AI, lean operations, and relentless focus.

We are proud to welcome Phil Ingram, Founder of meed, a cloud-based loyalty platform reimagining how brands engage customers, on stage at Startup Grind Hong Kong. With decades of experience in marketing, tech, and entrepreneurship, Phil will share his blueprint for building with AI, owning product strategy, and turning early traction into long-term growth.

📅 Date: Tuesday, May 13, 2025
⏰ Time: 7:00 PM HKT / 1:00 PM CET
📍 Location: Online (Virtual Event)

💡 What You’ll Learn

✅ How to bootstrap a SaaS product using AI without compromising quality
✅ The underrated power of product managers in AI-assisted workflows
✅ The biggest myths about AI-generated code—and how to avoid painful surprises
✅ How to balance automation with human insight in marketing and customer experience

...and...

✅ Why “mise en place”&nbsp;😋 matters more than ever when you build with AI

🎯 Who Should Attend?

🚀 Founders building tech products on a budget
📈 Teams experimenting with AI in product or dev workflows
🎤 Product managers wondering about their role in AI-driven teams
📢 Marketers and operators looking to do more with less—and grow smarter

🎤 Meet the Speaker

Phil Ingram is a veteran marketer, coder, and founder who built meed, a unified loyalty platform, without external funding. With 35+ years in publishing, eCommerce, travel, and Web3, his previous roles include CMO of Lepricon and VP of Marketing at Remote Lands. At meed, he’s using AI to power a small team doing the work of many—shipping fast, iterating smart, and staying lean.

Agenda

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Speaker

Phil Ingram - meed (Founder & CEO)

Phil Ingram founded meed in 2022, a cloud-based platform that unifies the loyalty experience for billions of consumers worldwide. Leveraging AI in coding, marketing, and soon, customer support, meed launched a sophisticated cloud-hosted product without external investment.
A strategic marketer with over 35 years of experience across publishing, travel, eCommerce, and Web3, Phil previousl…

Hosted By

Jens Wernborg, Director

Over 25 years of experience doing business with companies in Hong Kong, China and India across a wide range of industries.

Have worked with companies to successfully increase sales, save costs through purchasing and outsourcing, establish local presences, recruit and train staff and use digitalization to improve their productivity.

Always looking for ways to streamline and make businesses more efficient using digital tools and services. Knows how to get things done.

Margaret Leung, Co-Director

Margaret is a seasoned Business Consultant and Project/Event Manager with experience in assisting foreign companies, large and small, in their new business development and expansion in Hong Kong and Greater China. She also has 20+ years in managing events such as seminars, exhibitions, official-cum-business delegations across multiple industries, which involves working closely with principal government officials, C-level executives, and collaborating with project team members from different countries and cultures.

Margaret became a Startup Grind team member in October 2017. She is fascinated by the energy of the startup space and enjoys building communities and help connecting people.

Amrit Sethi, Startup Grind Moderator

Guest moderator Startup Grind Hong Kong.

Over 30 years of experience helping clients explore the world and make travel stress free.

Individual and corporate travel. Specialist groups, cruises, tours, worldwide hotels, sightseeing, sport competitions. Visa services in Hong Kong.

I combine my teams expertise with a personal touch to ensure that your travel plans meet your needs and wishes while eliminating all the hassle.

Marin Magré, Ambassador

A Frenchman who grew up in Poland, studied in Hong Kong and Taiwan, and started a coffee business in Guatemala before deciding to go back to Hong Kong to be closer to the world of Tech and AI.
My strengths are my international and broad vision combined with a keen sense for operational detail, my fearless go-getter attitude and my attraction to building mutually beneficial relationships.
Excited to be part of the SG community to learn and grow alongside inspiring and innovating people seeking to make a positive impact!

Keith Engine, Mentor

Life is too short to... I love to explore new things - globetrotter, bookworm, and you can see me in most of the startup events in Hong Kong (and beyond) - hunt me! Besides Startup Grind, I was the organizer of Startup Weekend and AngelHack. Some topics can get my immediate attention: emerging technologies, youth entrepreneurship, corporate innovation, startup ecosystem in Asia Pacific. I'm approachable, so, feel free to drop me a message on LinkedIn!

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Global Partner

Google Cloud (https://cloud.google.com/resources/content/future-of-ai-report?utm_source=events-with-google&utm_medium=et&utm_campaign=FY25-Q1-NORTHAM-SMB31054-website-dl-AIThoughtLeader-52420&utm_content=startup-grind&utm_term=-&hl=en)

Startup Grind is a global startup community designed to educate, inspire, and connect entrepreneurs. We host monthly events in more than 600 cities and 125+ countries featuring successful local founders, innovators, educators and investors who share personal stories and lessons learned on the road to building great companies. Our monthly fireside chat interviews, startup mixers and annual conferences provide ample opportunities to connect with amazing startups and the people behind them, tap into a strong support network, form meaningful connections and gain inspiration for the startup journey ahead. For more information visit StartupGrind.com or follow us on twitter @StartupGrind.
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Complete your event RSVP here: https://www.startupgrind.com/events/details/startup-grind-hong-kong-presents-ai-enabled-founder-led-with-phil-ingram/.

Startup Grind Hong Kong

Ryan

Jennie

Hassan

Hannes

Michael Y. Gordon

Jason

Vidya 

Jhobelle De Jose

Irene Chien

Eric Chiang

Meg Bae

Yanan Long

AI-Enabled, Founder-Led - with Phil Ingram

Anxiety. Panic attacks. Burnout.

These are the words 11 Tribes Ventures NEVER wants characterizing the founders in their portfolio. While most firms are focused on deploying just capital, 11 Tribes deploys capital with support -- support for your mental, emotional, and spiritual health.

Startup Grind Chicago returns with a special fireside chat featuring Kristina Chapple, GP at 11 Tribes. We'll discuss:

What's wrong with traditional venture capital and how to fix it

Kristina's journey to making Forbes 30 Under 30

How 11 Tribes supports you as a whole person, not just a company founder

What 11 Tribes is looking to invest in with their new fund.

And much more!

Fresh off a $46M fundraise, they are ready to invest in their next set of startups to prove that the growth of your company doesn't mean the end of your wellbeing.

Come ready with your own questions and join us for a classic Startup Grind night of making friends and helping others, in a brand new location in the Loop, @Skyscraper Guy studios, over bites and drinks!

Event Sponsored by CodeLaunch, the equity-free accelerator providing software development, a massive pitch stage, exposure to hundreds of investors and stakeholders, and the opportunity to win capital investment -- all for FREE -- all wrapped into a Venturetainment spectacle.

Apply for the CodeLaunch USA regional today (application deadline July 6)

Agenda

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Speaker

Kristina Chapple - 11 Tribes Ventures (General Partner)

Kristina Chapple is a General Partner at 11 Tribes Ventures – an early-stage fund that proactively invests in the resilience of their founders. In the industry, she is known for asking thoughtful and empathetic questions that challenge conventional approaches to diligence and post-investment support. Kristina joined 11 Tribes as the first hire, helping the firm grow by deploying the remaining …

Moderator

Rajiv Nathan - Startup Grind Chicago / Startup Hypeman (Chapter Director / Founder)

Known as the Heavyweight Champion of Story, Rajiv 'RajNATION' Nathan is Founder of Startup Hypeman, helping growing companies not suck at telling their story so they stand out to their audience, stand apart from competitors, and break through in their category. He was named an ""Agent of Change"" by Huffington Post, has given a TED Talk, and been featured in Inc, Forbes, and more. He's also a hip…

Hosted By

Rajiv Nathan, Director

Sid Khaitan, Community Lead

Julia Bauer, Event Coordinator

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Global Partner

Google Cloud (https://cloud.google.com/resources/content/future-of-ai-report?utm_source=events-with-google&utm_medium=et&utm_campaign=FY25-Q1-NORTHAM-SMB31054-website-dl-AIThoughtLeader-52420&utm_content=startup-grind&utm_term=-&hl=en)

Strategic

CodeLaunch (https://codelaunch.com/)
CodeLaunch is the ONLY equity-free accelerator providing software development, a massive pitch stage, exposure to hundreds of investors and stakeholders, and the opportunity to win capital investment -- all for FREE -- all wrapped into a Venturetainment spectacle.

Partners

Startup Hypeman (https://www.startuphypeman.com)
Startup Hypeman develops fundraising and customer pitches so you don't just go to market, you become The GOAT to Market

System Seltzers (https://systemseltzers.com/)
System Seltzers is the World's First Inclusive Drinking System™

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Startup Grind is a global startup community designed to educate, inspire, and connect entrepreneurs. We host monthly events in more than 600 cities and 125+ countries featuring successful local founders, innovators, educators and investors who share personal stories and lessons learned on the road to building great companies. Our monthly fireside chat interviews, startup mixers and annual conferences provide ample opportunities to connect with amazing startups and the people behind them, tap into a strong support network, form meaningful connections and gain inspiration for the startup journey ahead. For more information visit StartupGrind.com or follow us on twitter @StartupGrind.
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Complete your event RSVP here: https://www.startupgrind.com/events/details/startup-grind-chicago-presents-treating-founders-as-humans-fireside-chat-with-11-tribes-vc-kristina-chapple/.

Startup Grind Chicago

Treating Founders as HUMANS: Fireside Chat with 11 Tribes VC Kristina Chapple

@Skyscraper Guy Studios

Join us for a great workout and watch the sunrise during our exclusive Founders Hike. Network and chat with other successful founders while experiencing epic views of the Appalachia. This event is held on the 4th Wednesday of every month, registration is required to attend.

We will promptly leave the meeting location to begin the hike by 6:35 AM, so please be on time.

Exact location shared upon registration.

Agenda

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Hosted By

Mia Orantes, Chapter Director

I'm a dynamic speaker, angel investor, serial entrepreneur, the host of the celebrated Founders Only podcast, and the CEO & founder of the award-winning agency that automates online growth and profitability engines, Creative Analytics.

As a lifelong entrepreneur, I am devoted to serving founders by showing them the road map for rapid online growth and helping them navigate that journey.

A native Washingtonian, I hold several designations, including a PMI-certified Project Management Professional (PMP) and Lean Six Sigma Green Belt certification, an MBA & MS in Information Technology with a concentration in Project Management, and an in-progress certificate in Digital Transformation & AI from Cornell University.

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Global Partner

Google Cloud (https://cloud.google.com/resources/content/future-of-ai-report?utm_source=events-with-google&utm_medium=et&utm_campaign=FY25-Q1-NORTHAM-SMB31054-website-dl-AIThoughtLeader-52420&utm_content=startup-grind&utm_term=-&hl=en)

Partner

Creative Analytics (https://creativeanalyticsdc.com/)
Creative Analytics is a B2B growth marketing agency that leverages data-driven strategies and creative design to optimize digital performance and boost conversions for innovative brands. Specializing in SaaS, tech, and professional services, their services include conversion rate optimization, HubSpot implementation, content marketing, and web development. The agency combines deep expertise in CRO and product messaging with automation, helping clients scale faster with less time and effort.

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Startup Grind is a global startup community designed to educate, inspire, and connect entrepreneurs. We host monthly events in more than 600 cities and 125+ countries featuring successful local founders, innovators, educators and investors who share personal stories and lessons learned on the road to building great companies. Our monthly fireside chat interviews, startup mixers and annual conferences provide ample opportunities to connect with amazing startups and the people behind them, tap into a strong support network, form meaningful connections and gain inspiration for the startup journey ahead. For more information visit StartupGrind.com or follow us on twitter @StartupGrind.
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Complete your event RSVP here: https://www.startupgrind.com/events/details/startup-grind-washington-dc-presents-monthly-sgdc-founders-hike-knoxville-2025-05-28/.

Startup Grind DC

Saharah Allen

Monthly SGDC Founders Hike - Knoxville

Knoxville

Startup Grind

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Startup Grind is the largest independent startup community, actively educating, inspiring, and connecting entrepreneurs globally in partnership with Google for Startups. The cornerstone of our global community are monthly events featuring successful local founders, innovators, educators and investors who share lessons learned on the road to building great companies. Founded in Silicon Valley, Startup Grind has helped millions of entrepreneurs build their businesses, connect with strategic partners, and secure funding.

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