Oakland Startup Founder 101

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About us

Startup Founder 101 brings together aspiring and experienced tech entrepreneurs to discuss, meet, and collaborate to build great new startups, and to push the local startup ecosystem forward.

This group hosts numerous free events throughout the year where you can learn the best practices of starting a company from people who have been there and done that. You’ll have the opportunity to meet local founders and investors, exchange ideas with experts, get feedback on your idea, participate in startup workshops, and more.

Typical startup event topics include:

• Coming up with a strong startup idea

• Startup legal basics

• How to pitch your startup

• Starting a company without quitting your day job

• How to raise funding for your startup

• And much more!

Join the group to be invited to our next event!

Upcoming events

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Meet Global Alumni from Founder Institute
Mon, Feb 2 · 10:00 PST
·
Online
Online
Alumni of the Founder Institute pre-seed accelerator have raised over $1.9BN in funding and are building some of the world's fastest-growing technology businesses. Join us for an interactive, online Q&A event where you can learn tips and tricks for launching and scaling a startup; ask the Alumni about their experience in the FI program, and learn what you can achieve in a startup accelerator. Ready to turn your startup dreams into reality? Sign up for this exclusive session with FI alumni and learn what it takes to succeed.

❯ RSVP now at 👉 https://fi.co/startupwebinar/21513 to get your link and join us live!

❯ What You'll Learn:
- Details on the Founder Institute accelerator experience from Graduates that completed the program
- The types of startups that succeed through Founder Institute
- Proven tactics to build and grow a strong startup
- What investors seek in pre-seed founders
- How to avoid common founder pitfalls
❯ Featured Alumni:
- Laura Truncellito - CEO & CTO at Enployable: A machine learning engineer and entrepreneur, she has founded two companies and holds a Master's in Technology Entrepreneurship from the University of Maryland. Recognized by Nasdaq, WeWork, and the National Science Foundation, Laura is also a member of the National Small Business Association Leadership Council and serves on the AI and Digital Transformation Committee at the Northern Virginia Technology Council.
- Elyar Akhi - CEO at Waiter Call: Experienced leader with a deep background in technology and the hospitality industry. As the CEO of Waiter Call, he has spearheaded innovations that have resulted in a 33.56% cost reduction for business owners, a 44.34% decrease in staff workload, and addressed key issues like high staff turnover. With over 35 years of combined expertise in hospitality management, Elyar’s work also supports sustainability initiatives by optimizing resource usage.
- Aldo Victoria - CEO at Uworktify: Aldo Victoria is the founder of Uworktify, an AI-driven carsharing platform offering flexible, affordable EV rentals for part-time ride-hailing drivers, with proven traction and measurable environmental impact. He holds a degree in Computer Science from PUCMM and a Master’s degree in Economics from Université Paris 1 Panthéon-Sorbonne.
❯ Who Should Attend:
- Anyone that wants to ask FI Graduates questions about their experience in the program.
- Early-stage founders or anyone with a startup idea ready to learn and grow.
- Aspiring entrepreneurs seeking actionable feedback on their idea.
- Individuals looking to join a startup or connect with FI Alumni and fellow founders.
❯❯ Don’t miss this live, interactive online event packed with valuable insights! RSVP now at 👉 https://fi.co/startupwebinar/21513 to get your link and join us live!
1 attendee
How to Transform Your Region into a Hub for Cross-Border Entrepreneurship
Tue, Feb 3 · 10:00 PST
·
Online
Online
One of the greatest challenges facing entrepreneurs is the silos our ecosystems naturally create when supporting local interests. Here, we'll explore how cross-border collaboration serves not only the interests of founders, but also investors who need access and connection to that which matters most to their needs. This event will focus on creating actionable pathways for economic development through global entrepreneurship. We will explore the concept of cross-border innovation ecosystems, using the strategic triangle between Germany, Japan, and Cyprus as a case study.

Discover how regional strengths can be leveraged to boost global partnerships, attract capital, and foster talent retention. Attendees will gain a clear understanding of how to help their regions create environments that facilitate innovation and attract investment, benefiting both local economies and international collaboration.

❯ What You'll Learn:

Strategies for fostering innovation across borders and leveraging the Japan-Europe corridor.

Moving beyond physical spaces to focus on talent development and measurable economic outcomes.

❯ Featured Experts:
- Richard Mort - Japan-Europe Ecosystem Strategist: Richard is a strategic intelligence consultant and Japan-Europe business connector based in Düsseldorf, Germany's "Little Tokyo." With 20 years living in Japan and fluency in Japanese, German, French, and English, he specialises in bridging European and Asian ecosystems through event mapping, stakeholder matching, and market entry strategy. His comprehensive mapping of Web Summit 2024 - covering 1,131 stakeholders and 2,200+ startups - generated over 34,000 views and earned recognition from major corporations including SoftBank. Richard works with Japanese city governments, trade delegations, and European companies seeking Asia market access, operating under "The Human API" brand.
- Alberto Martellini - Managing Director @ Funder Advisor: Alberto is an Entrepreneurship Director bridging corporate innovation with high-growth ventures across fintech, energy, mobility, and traveltech. With 20+ years of corporate leadership experience? including leading $20B+ B2B product portfolios at American Express. He specializes in go-to-market strategy, commercialization, and strategic financing. As an Innovation Partner with FI, he works with governments and universities to design and manage accelerator programs focused on economic development and capacity building. He brings deep expertise in fundraising, mentor network development, institutional partnerships, and navigating regulatory and investment frameworks.
- Paul O'Brien - Head of Public Affairs @ Founder Institute: A startup economist and ecosystem strategist with 25 years in venture capital, public policy, and economic development. As Head of Public Affairs at the Founder Institute and Managing Partner of Startup Economist, he helps governments, investors, and civic leaders build stronger startup ecosystems that drive real economic growth.
❯❯ This is a live, interactive online event, so be sure to RSVP at https://fi.co/startupwebinar/22629 to receive the Zoom URL to join us live!
1 attendee