Founder Groups Los Angeles
LA Founder Circles: Innovate, Connect, Grow

AI Just Broke Your Strategy. Here's How To Fix It.
Thu, Sep 10, 1:00 AMJoin the ProductTank Los Angeles and PMA.LA community for an evening of insights, conversation, and connection with Martin Eriksson, one of the most influential voices in product leadership and organizational strategy. With more than 30 years of experience as a product leader, founder, investor, advisor, and author, Martin has dedicated his career to helping organizations build better products, stronger teams, and more effective businesses. From pioneering SaaS companies before the term became mainstream to advising more than 150 organizations at every stage of growth, Martin has consistently challenged conventional thinking and helped leaders unlock organizational performance. **Featured Talk: AI Just Broke Your Strategy. Here's How To Fix It.** When anyone can build anything, the competitive advantage is no longer in building. It is in knowing what to build and why. While many organizations are focused on using AI to do what they already do faster and cheaper, Martin argues that this is the wrong question. In fact, it may be quietly limiting ambition at the exact moment it should be expanding it. As the cost of development continues to fall, the primary constraint is no longer execution. The bottleneck has shifted to clarity. The challenge is no longer "Can we build it?" but "Should we build it?" Most teams are not prepared for this shift. In this thought provoking session, Martin explores how AI is reshaping strategy, decision making, and organizational advantage. Drawing on insights from his latest work, The Decision Stack, he will share how leaders can create the strategic clarity needed to thrive in an era where technology is abundant but direction is scarce. Attendees will learn why alignment matters more than ever, how to connect vision to everyday decisions, and how to turn AI from a potential threat into a powerful catalyst for innovation, growth, and organizational momentum. **About Martin Eriksson** Martin Eriksson is a board member, strategic advisor, leadership coach, and author of **The Decision Stack: How Strategic Clarity Unlocks Organizational Momentum**. Since 1994, Martin has built digital products and businesses across organizations including The Financial Times, Monster, Huddle, Covestor, Cazoo, and most recently served as Product Partner at EQT, one of the world's largest private investment firms. He is also the founder of ProductTank and co founder of Mind the Product, together the world's largest product management community spanning more than 200 cities worldwide. Through his work, writing, and leadership, Martin has helped shape the practice of product management for an entire generation of product leaders. **Special Thanks to Our Sponsor: ADP** ADP is a global leader in cloud based Human Capital Management solutions, helping organizations manage HR, payroll, talent, time, tax, and benefits administration through innovative technology and deep industry expertise. By combining powerful analytics, compliance capabilities, and business outsourcing solutions, ADP helps organizations create better workplace experiences and unlock the full potential of their people. Learn more: https://www.adp.com/ ADP. Always Designing for People. #WhatAreYouWorkingFor

LIVE Uninstructed Figure Drawing @ TAG FOUNDATION SKILLS STUDIO
Fri, Aug 28, 2:00 AM**LIVE Uninstructed Figure Drawing** **@ TAG FOUNDATION SKILLS STUDIO (August)** **Host: Soo King** **Costumed Model (Medieval Theme): Paige Smith** [CLICK HERE FOR TICKETS](https://tagfoundation.org/event/live-uninstructed-figure-drawing-august/) Enjoy dedicated time to practice drawing and explore your style in a supportive, creative environment. **TAG FOUNDATION SKILLS STUDIO** @ The Animation Guild, Classroom #1 1105 N. Hollywood Way, Burbank 91505 Open to Animation Guild Members & General Public No Drawing Experience Required Bring Your Own Art Supplies This event is for 18+ Drawing Horses Available (+ Limited Table Seating) There will be time at the end for sharing your work, networking, and clean-up. ***Soo Jin King’s*** *visual development work spans the animation genre: from The Prince of Egypt to Puss in Boots to The Bad Guys: Breaking In. Soo uses composition, color, and texture to bring animated worlds to life. Come draw/paint with Soo and be inspired.* [IMDB: Soo Jin King](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm1473608/) Please note that cancellations are eligible for a full refund up to 24 hours prior to the event. Cancellations made within 24 hours of the event will receive a credit toward a future class

Scaling SaaS Right Now: Lessons from the Frontlines
Sat, Sep 12, 3:15 AMToday’s environment is forcing SaaS founders and operators to rethink not just what they build—but how they build, deliver, and scale it. Join us for a candid, discussion-driven session with Bryan Walley, CEO & Co-founder of Forward Inheritance, as we explore what it takes to grow a SaaS venture in today’s rapidly shifting landscape. Bryan is has built Forward Inheritance, a platform designed to bring clarity and structure to one of the most complex and emotionally charged areas families face—inheritance and legacy planning. The idea didn’t start as a business—it started as a personal need. Faced with navigating estate planning within his own family, Bryan saw firsthand the lack of simple, secure, and transparent tools to organize information, communicate clearly, and align across generations. So he built one. Today, Forward is evolving that solution into a broader platform that helps families move from confusion and avoidance to clarity and preparedness—combining secure document management, financial tools, and guided collaboration. In this session, Bryan will share how his team is approaching: * Building and positioning a SaaS product in a nuanced, human-centered problem space * Rethinking product delivery and user experience in today’s market * Navigating the intersection of fintech, family dynamics, and long-term planning * Lessons learned while scaling in an environment that demands adaptability This won’t be a one-way presentation—it’s an opportunity to exchange ideas, compare approaches, and learn from others navigating similar challenges. Whether you're building, scaling, advising, investing—or simply interested in how SaaS is evolving—this session offers a practical and timely perspective on what’s working right now. **Networking** Come early to connect with fellow founders, technologists, creatives, and community members. Friday Coffee Meetup is as much about the people in the room as it is about the conversation on stage. *** ## **About the Speaker** Bryan Walley is CEO & Co-founder of Forward Inheritance and a technology and business leader with a proven track record of building and delivering software-driven solutions across a range of industries, including financial services. His experience spans the full lifecycle of innovation—from early concept and product development through go-to-market execution and operational scale. With a background that bridges technology, business strategy, and execution, Bryan has led initiatives across software development, product management, strategic partnerships, and business growth. At Forward Inheritance, Bryan is focused on helping families navigate inheritance and legacy planning through tools that promote clarity, communication, and proactive
Cali Pound Poker- THE Tuesday Tourney
Wed, Aug 26, 2:30 AM
Startup Pitch & Networking in Los Angeles
Thu, Sep 10, 2:00 AM📍 **Registration is on Luma — Meetup is not our RSVP platform.** Please register here to secure your spot: https://luma.com/9q7fngz7 🚀 **Join our event in Los Angeles!** We design Pitch and Networking nights to help founders sharpen their thinking through direct, candid feedback and to give strong investors access to serious teams. **Our pitch night is complemented by a structured networking session before and after the pitch session.** ▶ **See how our pitch nights look:** https://vimeo.com/877496618 **💡 What to expect:** - **Startups pitch live and receive focused feedback** from angels and VC partners - **Structured networking session** before and after the pitches - Entrepreneurs, startup founders, and operators are joining to network, exchange ideas, and build strong connections - Active investors and venture scouts joining to discover the best startups early **🤝 Who you will meet at the event:** - Founders - Investors, VC partners, Venture Scouts - Marketers, Salespeople, Business Advisors - Industry Disruptors - AI Experts - Entrepreneurs from Europe, Asia, and the United Kingdom **💼 We Welcome New Investors:** We invite investors to our event to expand their network, get acquainted with new startups, evaluate them, share feedback, and participate in discussions with early-stage and serial founders. We offer **complimentary tickets to institutional investors, angels, and venture scouts** with a proven track record. Please [apply via Luma](https://luma.com/9q7fngz7) or send us an email so we can issue the ticket. If you'd like to **access our database of promising startups** or **provide mentorship support to our best startups**, please fill out this short [Investor Application Form](https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdn1s8f5_R3iaqYoJ4aU2q1IxcFXIZIQElD6cEcv8YkRQhaUA/viewform), and our team will contact you. **🎤 Want to Pitch?** A limited number of founders will have the opportunity to pitch their startup or business **to a panel of investors and experts.** 4-6 selected founders will pitch their startup, followed by a short Q&A where participants can ask questions and share feedback. Apply by filling out the [Pitch Application Form](https://forms.gle/CuscVQibyXBbi1Fv7) and sending us your pitch deck. Spots are limited, and we select founders in advance. To maintain high-quality pitches, you are required to present with a pitch deck. We will share our **pitching guide** and, if you'd like, **coach you** so you're fully prepared for pitch night. 🏆 **The best startups will be featured** across our social media and included in our **investor newsletter.** **Requirements for attendees:** - Dress code: smart casual. Bring good energy. **🎟 Join our event and secure your ticket today!** **About us:** [Startup Valley](https://startupvalley.club/) is a global event organizer hosting pitch nights in 25 cities since 2023. Since then, **we have hosted 850 events for 40,000 attendees**. Over these years, we connected countless outstanding early-stage startups to serious investors, and we are not planning to stop. We maintain strategic partnerships with VC funds in the US, Europe, and Asia to support our community. Do you have a **question, a partnership proposal, or want to clarify something**? Reach us at hello@startupvalley.club **Agenda** - 19:00–19:30 — **Registration**: Guests register, receive badges, and event programs. This is an opportunity for casual networking, making first connections, and preparing for the event. - 19:30–20:00 — **Event Kickoff & Interactive Networking**: Official welcome from the organizers with a brief overview of the event goals and schedule. Interactive networking session to connect with key contacts. - 20:00–20:50 — **Startup Pitch Session**: Startups present their projects to investors and experts. Each team has 5 minutes to pitch, covering the project’s core idea, business model, and target market. - 20:50–22:00 — **Chill & Networking**: Participants enjoy casual conversations with investors, discuss collaboration opportunities, and exchange ideas over refreshments. **FAQ** **Can I pitch?** Yes! To pitch, please purchase a Pitch Ticket and fill out the Pitch Application Form. We will contact you to discuss and approve your pitch. The pitch duration is 5 minutes. You will also have some time to answer questions from the audience. **How does the pitch go?** Selected founders present on stage to the audience and the investors in the room. You get 5 minutes to pitch your idea, business model, target market, and investment ask, followed by a short Q&A. The best startups are featured across our social media channels and in the investor newsletter. **Who will I meet?** Founders, angel investors, VC partners, venture scouts, AI experts, engineers, operators, marketing and sales experts, and international entrepreneurs from across Europe, Asia, and the US. **Do investors get free tickets?** Yes! Please apply via Luma (the link is in the event description) or email hello@startupvalley.club, and we will issue a complimentary ticket for you and your team. **Can I request a refund?** Yes. Refunds are available if requested at least 1 day before the event start time. Please submit the refund request on the platform where you purchased your ticket, or email us at hello@startupvalley.club

Luxury Sound Bath
Mon, Aug 31, 12:00 AM$35/Attendee A sound bath is a deeply immersive, meditative experience where you "bathe" in the ambient sound waves and vibrations produced by instruments like crystal singing bowls, gongs, chimes, and tuning forks. You simply lie down, relax, and let the sounds wash over you to help calm your mind and release tension. At Master Garrett Luxury Sound Bath leave the pillows blankets and yoga mats behind.. all luxuries are cared for!
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