AI & Entrepreneurship at The Ticket 500

Be in the Room Where It Starts

Something is happening in Orange County — and this is the night it kicks off.

The Ticket 500 and Orange County AI are joining forces to launch a new kind of event series at one of Newport Beach's most extraordinary private spaces. A series built around the people shaping the future of AI, entrepreneurship, and business in OC — and the conversations that matter most right now.

April 30th is night one. The room will be intimate. The drinks will be flowing. And the people in the room are the ones you'll want to know.

The Evening

A candid, no-holds-barred conversation between Don DiCostanzo — serial entrepreneur with multiple successful exits and founder of The Ticket 500 — and Stephan Fitzpatrick — founder of Orange County AI. Moderated by Emily Rogers, they'll dig into what AI actually means for building companies, the lessons that only come from doing it, and where this ecosystem is headed. No slides. No pitch decks. Just signal.

Following the panel and audience Q&A, Adam Stinson unveils the full lineup of events coming to The Ticket 500 this spring and summer. You'll leave knowing exactly what's next — and why you'll want a seat every time.

Schedule

6:00 PM — Doors Open, Drinks & Networking

6:20 PM — Panel: AI & Entrepreneurship — Don DiCostanzo & Stephan Fitzpatrick, moderated by Emily Rogers

7:05 PM — Audience Q&A

7:20 PM — What's Next: The Ticket 500 Event Series — Adam Stinson

7:35 PM — Networking & Drinks

8:30 PM — Close

What We'll Get Into

How AI is rewriting the playbook for building and scaling companies

Hard-won lessons from building, scaling, and exiting businesses

The role of community, mentorship, and hands-on learning in the AI era

What Orange County's startup and business ecosystem needs to thrive

Practical advice for founders and operators navigating the AI landscape

Who This Is For

Founders. Investors. Operators. Business leaders. The kind of people who build things — and the kind of people who back them. Whether you're deep in AI, just getting started, or simply want to be in the room where it's happening, this is your night.

This is night one. Don't be the person who hears about it after.

About The Ticket 500

Founded by serial entrepreneur Don DiCostanzo, The Ticket 500 is a new accelerator and incubator in Newport Beach designed to be a launchpad for the next wave of innovative companies.

About Orange County AI

Orange County AI is the largest AI community in Orange County — connecting founders, operators, and technologists through events, education, and hands-on collaboration.