The AI Demo Series: February Edition

Startup Grind Silicon Valley is continuing our a new monthly AI Demo Series—a high-energy showcase for the next generation of AI founders. 

Each month we rotate across leading SF tech HQs, bringing together the community where it’s strongest: in person.

This series is created in partnership with our new ecosystem partners: Founder Institute, AI Collective, Antler, Founder Social Club and Bay Founders Club.

⭐ What to Expect

x10 live founder demos in a 2-minute presentation

VC panel feedback from top AI investors

Partner spotlights, rapid intros, and product showcases

The best in AI: founders, VCs, angels, and ecosystem partners

Networking mixer with the Bay’s most active builders

⭐ How to Apply

Want a chance to present - complete this form and we'll be in touch

Can't make February or want to be considered for March and beyond - just let us know in the form 

Here is your chance to stand out as not just "another AI Startup in Silicon Valley"

⭐ Format

Each startup gets 2 minutes to present:

A product demo or live walkthrough, and a microphone.

The problem, solution, market insight, and traction

The “AI edge” behind the product

⭐ Who Should Attend

AI startups (Pre-Seed → Seed+) looking for exposure, feedback, or fundraising momentum

Investors scouting early technical talent

Corporate partners exploring pilots or AI innovation

Ecosystem builders supporting the founder community

⭐ February 26

Join us at Antler HQ as we continue the series with a curated selection of early-stage AI companies, live insight from investors, and a community that’s actively building the future.

We will be in touch in the coming weeks with the chosen presenters

⭐ Bonus Prizes

For x2 lucky founders in attendance each month, we'll be giving away a Full Access ticket to the Startup Grind Conference in April, 2026

A VC meeting will be offered to x2 lucky founders who apply (even if you're not presenting but in attendance)

x3 founders will get access to the next Founder Institute cohort

If you’d like to pitch, host a future month, or explore sponsorship, reach out — this series was designed to be built with friends.

Agenda

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Host

James Gee - Startup Grind (Global Sales Director & Silicon Valley Chapter Director)

James Gee is the Global Sales Director at Startup Grind who relocated to the Bay Area from the UK to immerse himself in Silicon Valley's vibrant tech ecosystem. With both a startup founder and a banking background, James is your go-to guy for all things startups and partnerships, and he loves connecting the dots between founders, investors, and coaches across different fields.
Always hap…

Judges

Rio Hodges - Antler VC (Early Stage VC)

Rio is an early stage VC at Antler. He invests primarily in pre-seed startups based in the US and is based out of the Bay Area. Prior to Antler, Rio worked at Frog where he helped create and invent new products, experiences, and services for venture-backed and Fortune 500 companies.

Bryan Liu - Alumni Ventures (Investor)

I believe the best way to push humanity forward is by building solutions that advance civilization, and I support founders who share this mission.
I back visionary founders that believes in AI First to build the future. I support, connect, and give my time to help innovators succeed.My goal? To find and invest in a Hectocorn ($100B+ valuation). If you wanna build one, let's talk.<…

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Global Partner

Carta (http://www.carta.com/launch?utm_campaign=20240423-nam-general-smb-startup_grind_partnership&utm_medium=social&utm_source=startup_grind)
Carta helps people manage equity, build businesses, and invest in the companies of tomorrow. Carta Launch is the only free cap table product, helping new founders get started. The company is trusted by more than 40,000 companies, over 7,000 funds and SPVs, and over two million equity holders to manage cap tables, compensation, valuations, liquidity, and more. For more information, visit carta.com.

Strategic

Chargebee (https://www.chargebee.com/)
Chargebee is a billing and monetization platform that helps fast-growing SaaS and AI companies automate billing, adapt pricing with agility, and scale their revenue operations seamlessly.

Partner

Antler (https://www.antler.co/)
Antler is the investor backing the world’s most driven founders, from day zero to greatness.

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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.

Complete your event RSVP here: https://www.startupgrind.com/events/details/startup-grind-silicon-valley-san-francisco-bay-area-presents-the-ai-demo-series-february-edition/.