About us
See ALL the startup events in Orange County at https://OCStartupCouncil.org
Entrepreneurship is empowerment - and social capital is currency.
If you're working on business #1 ... or even business #100, this community is here to help make valuable connections with potential business partners or investors, as well as learn from experts regarding the skillsets and mindsets necessary to succeed in today's entrepreneurial environment.
FREE TICKET OFFER: Join our free email list now for a promo code to attend our next workshop FREE: https://ocstartupcouncil.org/startup-news
Our members include but are not limited to: entrepreneurs, small business owners, corporate executives, company representatives, tech professionals, creative arts professionals, angel and accredited investors, startup experts, revolutionary startup entrepreneurs looking to change the world - or their local community (lean, bootstrap, crowdfunding, or venture capital focused), and people seeking to expand their professional development and/or network.
The Harvard Business Review has noted: "Face-to-face communication is the broadest bandwidth communication you can have in professional life", and we believe the current business environment will continue a transition towards what thought leader Seth Godin refers to as the "connection economy" - where value is increasingly created through the connections we make and less so through industrialism.
Therefore we endeavor to provide networking and educational events that will be uniquely effective in initiating professional connections, developing important relationships, and leveraging social capital to grow a business and increase personal influence.
It only takes one person to change our personal or professional lives. Undoubtedly, you will make new connections at our events likely to change yours... forever. Every event will have its own unique opportunities. Every. Single. One. It's "about time" to enhance your Networking ROI:
- Return on financial investment.
- Return on time investment.
- Return on emotional investment.
- Return on influence.
- Return on integrity.
- Return on ideas.
Thank you for your consideration in sharing this group with your network, and/or bringing a friend or business associate with you to our events. As author and thought leader Simon Sinek noted:
"We do not become great leaders, we do not fulfill our potential when we work to see ourselves grow or rise. It is when we devote ourselves to seeing those around us rise that we actually grow. And when the people we care about also work to see us grow, then they too will grow... The only true way for any of us to grow, to truly fulfill our full potential, is when we work to help others do the same."
Upcoming events
85

Application Deadline: Women’s Fast Pitch 9/16/26
·OnlineOnlineCall for Applications
Apply using the link - https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScR4YOBZJ4wg4HlteA46jbl4WY1UmGMiZf42sMLeSTVVl47Hw/viewform
Applications are now open for Women’s Fast Pitch 2026, the WVS’ national pathway connecting high-potential women founders with investors, visibility, and opportunities to raise capital.
IMPORTANT: This is a deadline for application only, not a live event. Mark your calendars to submit, not to attend!
Application deadline: September 16, 2026
They’re looking for US-based, women-led pre-seed and seed stage companies across all industries. Ten founders representing five regions will be selected to participate in the National Women’s Fast Pitch virtual event on October 1.
Want more events? Please see the full OC Startup Events Calendar here.
And, get startup events emailed to you automatically by joining the Free Startup Events Email List here: https://www.ocstartupcouncil.org/startup-news
5 attendees
TiE Los Angeles Investor Summit 9/17/26 - 9/18/26
Renaissance Newport Hotel, 4500 MacArthur Blvd, Newport Beach, CA, USRemoving Roadblocks
RSVP using the link - https://tieinvestorsummit.com/tickets-2026/
Building investable companies. Unlocking Real Access.
Join them Thursday, September 17 to Friday, September 18, 2026 from 8:00AM to 5:00PM at Renaissance Newport Hotel, 4500 MacArthur Blvd, Newport Beach, CA 92660. $15 parking for attendees.
Helping Founders Move Forward.
Through access, conversations, visibility, partnerships, and capital. Al may power these companies – but this summit is about the businesses being built with it. Founders don’t need more hype; they need fewer roadblocks. The 2026 summit is built around practical growth and meaningful networking across the Southern California ecosystem.
Save 50% off startup registration tickets throughout September 10th with this promo code: OCSC150
Want more events? Please see the full OC Startup Events Calendar here.
And, get startup events emailed to you automatically by joining the Free Startup Events Email List here: https://www.ocstartupcouncil.org/startup-news
7 attendees![Cross-Market Business Networking [ONLINE] | All Professionals Welcome](https://secure.meetupstatic.com/photos/event/5/4/1/c/highres_525501532.jpeg)
Cross-Market Business Networking [ONLINE] | All Professionals Welcome
·OnlineOnlineWhy go it alone? Who might you meet today that could change your life personally or professionally? What connection could open a new door for you, your business, or someone you care about?
All professionals welcome. Especially valuable for small business owners, creatives, consultants, marketers, service providers, collaborators, and other growth-minded professionals seeking meaningful connections across multiple markets.
Exceptional Entrepreneurs ("EE") is one of the largest business networking organizations in the USA, bringing together professionals from many Meetup communities and metro areas. This event is designed for people who want more than the same local circle: potential clients, collaborators, strategic connections, fresh ideas, and new opportunities.
Meeting format:
- First 30 minutes: check-in, arrivals, and breakout rooms on relevant topics
- Remaining 60 minutes: structured agenda in the main room, including participant introductions and more
- After the formal close: breakout rooms reopen for those who want additional networking time
No membership required. No attendance requirement. Attend when it works for you, introduce yourself, and connect with professionals you may not otherwise meet.
Special Guest Edition: On select events, we feature a guest speaker who brings timely, practical value to a broad business audience and adds one more reason to attend live.
Info to join the EE virtual networking meeting:
#######################################
http://nroi.us/eeonline
(the shortlink above will remain updated with the current Zoom link)
#######################################18 attendees
The AI Masterclass 9/19/26
HanaHaus, 3366 Via Lido, Newport Beach, CA, USFive moves that keep you irreplaceable starting Monday.
RSVP using the link - https://www.hanahaus.com/events-1/2026/9/19/theaimasterclass
Live AI demos. Women-led, everyone welcome. Free.
Join them Saturday, September 19 from 3:00PM to 4:30PM at HanaHaus, 3366 Via Lido, Newport Beach, CA 92663.
This year, AI stopped being a chat window and became a coworker.
Agents that complete real work. Connectors that plug into your email, calendar, and files. Most professionals have heard about it. Almost nobody has watched it actually work.
Want more events? Please see the full OC Startup Events Calendar here.
And, get startup events emailed to you automatically by joining the Free Startup Events Email List here: https://www.ocstartupcouncil.org/startup-news
5 attendees
Past events
1135

