Agile and Scrum

**PLEASE NOTE THE ADDRESS CHANGE! We're now at [w3hub.berlin](https://w3hub.berlin)** *[Qase](https://qase.io) is presenting the **eleventh** Meetup on Quality Engineering in Berlin.* *This time, we’re bringing you three deep-dive talks — all designed to challenge the way you think about quality, testing, and collaboration.* *As always, expect great conversations, snacks, and drinks. See you there!* **AGENDA** **1\. Mitesh Patel\, Technical Consultant \- Scientific Instruments @ Altum Solutions: *Food QA: Testing Tasting*** On this fine evening, we shall enjoy some food … and also learn why we enjoy it. Because tasting is really a form of testing for our brains — wetware QA in essence. But how do we reformulate this wetware testing into those familiar realms of software and hardware testing? It is not as simple as exchanging taste buds for test suites and bites for bytes. Just ask Big Food which spends billions on this same question: How can computers do taste tests like humans? Guided by the example of an ML/AI-powered scientific instrument for chemical analyses, namely, a spectrometer, this session addresses this question and explores the broader topic of QA in the food industry. Discover how food companies scale testing across scientific software, device hardware, and food/human wetware. So grab a spoon for this insider scoop on QA for food. **2\. Vitaly Sharovatov\, developer advocate @ Qase: *QA Myths Busting: A Practical Guide to Higher Quality*** Have you ever felt the urge to increase the amount of testing or hire more testers, thinking it would improve product quality? As a tester, have you ever been held “accountable” for quality or pressed for time, leaving you feeling helpless? Or perhaps you’ve been asked to justify quality assurance initiatives with numbers? Our industry is filled with myths: from “quality can be measured” to “more testing means higher quality” and from “QA slows down work” to “testers are responsible for quality”. In this talk, I will present the myths I once believed, explain the dangers they pose to both teams and products, and demonstrate how they should be debunked and overcome. **3\. Asya Isakova\, Co\-Founder @ TECH_Connect: 𝘌𝘢𝘳𝘯 𝘛𝘳𝘶𝘴𝘵\, 𝘒𝘦𝘦𝘱 𝘠𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘑𝘰𝘣** The job market is wild: it’s hard to get hired, and sometimes even harder to stay hired. In a new role (or a new team), one of the fastest ways to reduce uncertainty and accelerate collaboration is to build trust quickly. But how do colleagues and managers decide you’re trustworthy? It’s rarely just about closing Jira tickets or moving cards on a Kanban board. People assess trust through patterns of behavior: what you do, how consistently you do it, and how do you act towards others. In this talk, you’ll learn an evidence-based approach to building trust at work using three practical components: integrity, reliability, and benevolence. We’ll unpack what shapes people’s trust judgments (including context, risk, and prior experiences) and translate research into concrete behaviors you can apply immediately: especially in multicultural and cross-functional teams.

# 🚀 Algorand Builders Berlin: x402 Payments Ideathon 📅 **March 5th \| 14:00–18:00** 📍 **42 Berlin, Harzer Strasse 42, 12059 Berlin (Auditorium, ground floor)** 🧑‍💻 On-site event 🌍 Remote pitches may be accepted (at least one of the team members has to be Berlin-based and available to pitch on-site - please apply in advance) All pitches and workshops will be available live in Google Meets: [https://meet.google.com/zfh-jbfp-frq](https://meet.google.com/zfh-jbfp-frq) *** ## 💡 About the Event Join us for an interactive ideathon focused on **x402 payments** — an emerging standard for internet-native payments designed for the age of AI and autonomous agents. This event is all about exploring **how x402 payments can solve real-life problems**. It serves as the official warm-up to the: **[Algorand Builders Berlin: x402 Payments Hackathon](https://luma.com/agentic-commerce-hack) (April 10–12)** The ideathon is your opportunity to: * Develop and refine your idea * Find teammates * Create a short pitch deck * Validate your concept * Win prizes * Prepare to build your solution at the April hackathon Whether you already have an idea or want to discover one during the event — you’re welcome. *** ## 🏆 Prize Pool **$1250 USD (USDC) prize pool** will be awarded to the most promising ideas: **$1000 USD (USDC) in cash** **$250 USD in GoPlausible AI credits - [https://goplausible.com/](https://goplausible.com/)** Winning teams will be **fast-tracked to the April x402 Hackathon**, giving you the perfect launchpad to turn your validated idea into reality. *** ## 🗓 Event Schedule 1️⃣ **Welcome & Event Kickoff — 5 minutes** Intro to the x402 “Payment Required” Ideathon and the upcoming Agentic Commerce x402 Hackathon — *Michael Rizhakov, Community Advocate, Algorand Berlin* 2️⃣ **Continuing to Build on Algorand — 5 minutes** Ecosystem opportunities and support for builders — *Ram Srigiri, Algorand Growth Lab* 3️⃣ **x402 Payments on Algorand: Technology & Use Cases — 15 minutes** Deep dive into x402 payments and real-world applications — *Marco Podien, Senior DevRel, Pera Wallet* 4️⃣ **How to Craft a Strong Pitch Deck — 10 minutes** Practical guidance on structuring and delivering a compelling pitch — *Ram Srigiri (Algorand Growth Lab) & Victor Estival (Head of Product Marketing, Algorand Foundation)* 5️⃣ **Team Formation & Ideation — 2.5 hours** Find teammates, refine your concept, and build your pitch deck. 6️⃣ **Pitch Competition — 1 hour** Each team presents a 2–3 minute pitch to judges and fellow builders. 7️⃣ **Pizza & Networking 🍕 — Open Ended** Connect with the community, exchange ideas, and meet potential hackathon teammates. ## 👩‍⚖️ Mentors & Judges Mentors and judges will be available during the whole event to help you guide you and refine your pitch and idea * **Marco Podien** — Senior DevRel, Pera Wallet * **Michael Rizhakov** — Community Advocate, Algorand Berlin Community * **Ram Srigiri** — Algorand Growth Lab * **Victor Estival** — Head of Product Marketing, Algorand Foundation * **MG** — Founder of GoPlausible, author of x402 implementation for Algorand * **Gulsah Yurdakal** — Head of Marketing Growth, Algorand Foundation *** ## 🎒 What to Bring * Laptop * Curiosity * Your ideas No technical background required. *** ## 🔒 Important Your ideas remain your intellectual property. We’re here to help you develop and validate them. This is primarily an **on-site event**. Remote pitches may be accepted (at least one of the team members has to be Berlin-based and available to pitch on-site - please apply in advance) *** Come build at the frontier of AI-native payments 🚀 Please join our community Telegram: [https://t.me/+GUyxFWJbL582ZjAy](https://t.me/+GUyxFWJbL582ZjAy) Some upcoming initiatives: * [Technical workshop for x402](https://algorand.co/developers/workshops) (March 4th, remote) * [Algorand x402 payment hackathon](https://luma.com/agentic-commerce-hack) — 10–12 April (on‑site, 42 Berlin) * [Algorand Web3 Masterclasses](https://algorand.co/web3-masterclasses) (10 March - 2 April, remote) * A series of sessions to help builders onboard technically, ideate, and ship before the hackathon, plus support afterward. ## Want to Build the Next Big Thing on Algorand? You don’t need to be a developer to start a business on blockchain. Algorand gives you robust infrastructure so you can plug in your ideas and make them more efficient, whether you’re working on DeFi, social apps, prediction markets, or AI‑native services. For developers — Algorand supports native Python development (with full TypeScript support coming soon) via tools like AlgoKit, which streamline full‑stack development. For entrepreneurs, dedicated programs and opportunities will help you go from idea to startup, including accelerators, upcoming startup challenges, and hackathons. Everyone is welcome to: * Join the [Algorand Developer Discord](https://discord.com/invite/algorand) * Explore [AlgoKit](https://algorand.co/algokit) * Dive into [YouTube tutorials ](https://www.youtube.com/@algodevs)to start building on Algorand ## Resources for Builders ​**📚 Learn the basics** * [Algorand learning hub](https://algorand.co/developers/learn): intro to blockchain, Algorand, smart contracts, and more ​ **🧰 Explore AlgoKit** * [Getting Started with AlgoKit](https://dev.algorand.co/getting-started/algokit-quick-start/): quick‑start resources for the core development toolkit. ​ **🎓 Join a workshop** * ​[Intro to AlgoKit 3.0 (Python and Typescript)](https://algorand.co/algokit-workshops): online workshops to build hands‑on skills. **​*🚀 Post-Hackathon Opportunities*** * ​💡 [Algorand Accelerator](https://algorand.co/2025-accelerator-application): (up to $50k funding) * 🛠 [Startup Challenges](https://algorand.co/startup-challenges): (coming soon) * ​🛠 [Upcoming hackathons](https://algorand.co/hackathon): (coming soon) * ​🎓 [Web3 Masterclasses](https://algorand.co/web3-masterclasses): (coming soon)

Ready to flex your architectural muscles… with a new twist? Join us for our first **AI-Enabled Architectural Kata**, where we'll tackle a real design challenge together, using generative AI as a collaborator in the architectural process. Small teams will work through a complex scenario, but this time each team gets a unique **AI collaboration role** that shapes how they interact with AI during the session. Expect lively debate, creative solutions, plus an honest reflection on where AI helps and where human judgement still reigns supreme. **Mark your calendars for Thu, Mar 5,** and join us at **Thoughtworks Event Space** for an engaging evening dedicated to software design and architecture. Whether you're a seasoned architect, an AI-curious developer, or just passionate about software design, this meetup is the perfect platform to share, learn, experiment with new ideas and meet passionate people. **Event Schedule** * **18:15** – Doors open for snacks, drinks, and socialization * **18:45** – Introduction * **19:00** – **AI-Enabled Architecture Kata**: Small teams' work session * **20:30** – Presentations by teams **❓ What is an Architectural Kata?** Inspired by the concept of “Code Kata,” Architectural Katas are exercises that allow architects to practice their skills in a real-world scenario. It's about honing our craft in software design through practical, hands-on challenges in small groups. Read more about Architectural Katas on [Neal Ford](https://nealford.com/katas/about.html)'s website or on the [original Katas site](https://www.architecturalkatas.com/) by Ted Neward. **What makes this one AI-Enabled?** Building on the classic Architectural Kata format, this edition adds a new dimension: **AI as a team member**. Each team receives a unique role card that defines how they collaborate with AI during the session. The goal isn't to see who can prompt the best. It's to explore together how AI changes the way we think about, discuss, and communicate software architecture. **What to bring** Please have access to at least one AI tool on your phone or laptop (Claude, ChatGPT, Gemini, or similar). We'll provide a short prompting cheat sheet for architectural AI collaboration to get you started. No prior experience with AI for architecture work is needed! **Venue** **Thoughtworks Event Space**, Revaler Str. 31, 10245 Berlin *(Please note that this is a different entrance from the Thoughtworks office located at Revaler Str. 29)* **Sponsored by Thoughtworks** A big shout-out to [Thoughtworks](https://www.thoughtworks.com/) for sponsoring our event and supporting our mission to foster a tight-knit community of software design practitioners. **Code of Conduct** We adhere to the [Berlin Code of Conduct](https://berlincodeofconduct.org/) to ensure a welcoming and respectful environment for all participants. **Spread the Word** We believe the more, the merrier! If you think this meetup resonates with your friends or colleagues, please feel free to share this event with them. Your personal recommendation would not only enrich our community but also enhance the overall experience for everyone involved. You can easily share this event by forwarding this invitation or sharing our event link on social media. Let's grow our community together and make this inaugural meetup a memorable and valuable experience for everyone! **Hosting and Sponsorship Opportunities** Interested in hosting or sponsoring future events? Check out our [Sponsor proposal](https://docs.google.com/document/d/1tXMpuB3L0x1lQKsDgO2YftWx6LATfMZADwrZwP2Ylg0/edit?usp=sharing).

Finally, it’s happening! [Value Rebels](https://www.valuerebels.com/) are thrilled to invite you to another [Product Management Night](https://productmanagementnights.com/), this time in the inspiring office of [Babbel](https://uk.babbel.com/). Under the banner “Staying Relevant: Data, innovation, and the architecture of decision-making”, we’ll explore how to stay innovative in a fast-changing environment and what it really takes to make meaningful, data‑informed decisions in a world saturated with signals. 📅 **Date**: March 5th 📍 **Location:** Babbels office at [Andreasstraße 72, 10243 Berlin](https://maps.app.goo.gl/PNNNehcW9GmBdf6T7) 🥂 Drinks & Finger Food Provided (veggie/vegan) **Timetable** 18:00 \| Doors Open: Networking over drinks and light food 18:45 \| Intro and hello from Value Rebels and Babbel 19:00 \| “Escaping the innovator’s dilemma: How established companies stay disruptive” \- An on\-stage discussion with [Diana Pulnar](https://www.linkedin.com/in/diana-pulnar-51781b13/) 19:30 \| Break 19:40 "What data-driven, actually means in 2026" - A talk by [Markus Kiefer](https://www.linkedin.com/in/markus-kiefer-979372388/) 20:10 \- 21:00 \| Closing & Networking (Please note: times are approximate) **Get to know our experts & speakers** 🎤 **[Markus Kiefer](https://www.linkedin.com/in/markus-kiefer-979372388/)**[ ](https://www.linkedin.com/in/markus-kiefer-979372388/)is a Tech & Data Consultant passionate about turning data into better product decisions. He works with product and engineering teams to design data-driven systems and helps organisations not just to understand their users but the systems that increasingly decide for them. 🎤 **[Diana Pulnar](https://www.linkedin.com/in/diana-pulnar-51781b13/)** is VP Product at Babbel, where she leads teams that translate speech technology and learner insights into concrete outcomes. She focuses on product strategies that balance data with real learner behaviour and uses experimentation to keep decisions anchored in results for learners. **Why join us?** * **Discover how to stay relevant:** explore how established teams handle innovation, trade‑offs and the tension between today’s business and tomorrow’s bets. * **Rethink what “data‑driven” means:** move from more dashboards to understanding the whole system behind your product decisions. * **Connect with peers who get it:** share experiences with senior product, tech and data people facing similar constraints and ambitions. **Who should attend?** Product Leaders & Drivers C-level & Business Leaders Experienced product contributors 🚨 Limited spots available - reserve yours only if you’re sure you can join! 📸 **📸 Please note:** We will be capturing event photos for promotional use. Let us know if you prefer not to be photographed. Photos are only taken of people who give consent on site. You can always say no or change your mind on the day or by emailing employerbranding@babbel.com 🔜 Looking forward to seeing you on March 5th

We make landladies and landlords. They buy a flat and pay just 1/4. Tenants and tax cuts pay 3/4. It's not a trick. It's government policy. Our Federal Governments, past and present, want taxpayers to become landlords and landladies, buy property, rent it out to tenants and enjoy passive income later. Come check this out. No strings attached. No sales. Just a meet and greet for orientation. And an after work drink. Wir machen Vermieter. Steuerzahler kaufen eine Wohnung und zahlen dafür nur 1/4. Mieter und Finanzamt zahlen 3/4. Das ist kein Trick. Das ist Politik: Alle Bundesregierungen wollen, dass Steuerzahler Wohnungen kaufen, Mieter reinnehmen und später Beton‑Rente bekommen. Info-Abend nur zur Orientierung. Kucken kostet nichts. S,U Bahnhof Zoo, Kantstraße 163-165, 10623 Berlin, Motel One Upper West, 10th floor, exit lift to the right, turn left, circumvent the sign "vorübergehend geschlossen" Go justs there. I'll be there Georg Holzach. 0177 8181 900 WhatsApp Wanna read somethin before: landlord.holza.ch betonrente.holza.ch

Zalando is graciously hosting us for our first Meetup in 2026. And we are doing it a bit different: we have two rooms, and two talks in parallel. This gives you the opportunity to choose between two talks, for a total of four talks. This year, we’re especially happy to welcome Amazon Web Services as the food sponsor for our meet-up. Thanks to their support, our community can enjoy great conversations over great food — making the evening not only insightful, but also delicious. Meet the AWS experts Sikandra Chaudhary, Daria Aleshkova, and Narendra Tawar. Narendra will be delivering a talk on PostgreSQL and AI, sharing practical insights and real-world experience. We truly appreciate AWS’s commitment to supporting local tech communities and helping us create a warm, welcoming atmosphere for everyone. **PLEASE BRING YOUR PHOTO ID** **USE THE MAIN ENTRANCE TO BHW ON THE SIDE OF UBER ARENA** **Agenda** Two sessions run in parallel in rooms codenamed "Auditorium" and "Festival" **18:30** \- doors open: registration\, networking\, and drinks **19:00 - 19:05** Auditorium, "Event intro" by Sergey Dudoladov, Senior Database Engineer in Zalando. **Auditorium: Track A** **19:10 - 19:55** "How we made WarehousePG Open Source (again)" by Andreas 'ads' Scherbaum, a WarehousePG Principal Engineer at EDB and a Founding Member of PostgreSQL Europe **19:55 - 20:15** Networking, Q&A, and pizza **20:15 - 21:00** "From 20 seconds to sub-second: Speeding up CloudNativePG wake-ups" by Tudor Golubenco, CTO of Xata **Festival: Track B** **19:10 - 19:55** "The Role of PostgreSQL in the AI World" by Narendra Tawar, Sr Database Specialist SA, AWS **19:55 - 20:15** Networking, Q&A, and pizza **20:15 - 21:00** "Modernizing Postgres Communication with Hackorum", by Kai Wagner, Percona **21:00 - 22:00 Networking, Q&A, and pizza** **22:00 - The End** **Abstracts** **How we made WarehousePG Open Source (again)** WarehousePG is an Open Source fork of Greenplum Database, which by itself is a fork of PostgreSQL. The project was born after the upstream project was made closed source. This talk gives a quick overview of the history of both projects, which already spans more than two decades. We then dive into the reasons for creating a fork, and all the stumbling stones we had to pass in order to make this project open source again. We also talk about the challenges of CLAs (Contributor License Agreements) and what implications the PostgreSQL and Apache Licenses have for the project. Speaker: Andreas 'ads' Scherbaum **The Role of PostgreSQL in the AI World** As artificial intelligence (AI) continues to revolutionize industries, the need for robust, scalable, and efficient data management solutions has never been greater. PostgreSQL, with its extensibility, performance, and advanced data capabilities, plays a crucial role in enabling AI-driven applications. This talk explores how PostgreSQL supports AI workloads, from managing vast datasets and integrating with machine learning frameworks to leveraging extensions like PostgreSQL ML, TimescaleDB, and JSONB for AI-ready storage and querying. Attendees will gain insights into best practices for using PostgreSQL in AI pipelines, optimizing performance for AI inference, and harnessing the power of open-source innovation to drive intelligent decision-making. Whether you're a data engineer, AI researcher, or PostgreSQL enthusiast, this session will showcase why PostgreSQL is an essential component in the AI ecosystem. **From 20 seconds to sub-second: Speeding up CloudNativePG wake-ups** CloudNativePG (CNPG) is a popular and battle-tested operator for running Postgres on top of Kubernetes. At Xata, we’ve been using CNPG and extending it in several different directions. One of them is implementing a scale-to-zero plugin: clusters hibernate when inactive and they wake up automatically when new connections are created. After adding scale-to-zero, we’ve faced the challenge that the CNPG wake-up from hibernation is rather slow.This is an optimization story about how we reduced the wake-up times from 20+ seconds to under one second. Speaker: Tudor Golubenco **Modernizing Postgres Communication with Hackorum** In 2026, the debate over whether mailing lists are still "state of the art" continues to divide developers. While some view them as relics, we cannot neglect the unique benefits of their decentralized, archival nature. Rather than fighting over platforms or ignoring the friction, Hackorum asks a simpler question: Why not just improve the user experience? Hackorum transforms the daunting mailing list "firehose" into a modern, forum-style interface without breaking the underlying email culture. It is designed to lower the barrier for new contributors while providing power tools for veterans: Seamless Integration: Real-time sync between mailing lists and daily sync of the Commitfest status. Modern UX: Per-message read tracking, tagging, and contributor profiles. Enhanced Coordination: Shared notes and mentions to streamline complex reviews. We have to stay open minded and willing to expand our horizon and as such Hackorum is rapidly evolving. While our roots are in development, we are currently expanding to include broader mailing lists like -general and -docs. Our goal is to make the entire Postgres ecosystem more accessible and usable for everyone. Join us for a demo of the latest updates and help us shape the future of Postgres communication. Speaker: Kai Wagner **About the speakers** **Andreas Scherbaum** has been working with PostgreSQL since 1997. He is involved in several PostgreSQL related community projects, member of the Board of Directors of the European PostgreSQL User Group and also wrote a PostgreSQL book (in German). Since 2011 he was working for EMC/Greenplum/Pivotal and tackled very big databases. Until 2024 he was doing the same - but with maybe even more and bigger databases - for Adjust GmbH in Berlin. Now he's working at EDB as WarehousePG Principal Engineer and is helping customers with even larger databases. **Tudor Golubenco** is the CTO of Xata, a Postgres platform with branches and zero-downtime, reversible schema changes. Before Xata, Tudor worked as a tech lead at companies like Elastic and Oracle. **Narendra Tawar** \- Sr Database Specialist SA I am accomplished database professional with 21 years of comprehensive experience across Oracle, PostgreSQL, Microsoft SQL Server, and MySQL environments, with specialised PostgreSQL expertise since a decade. Currently serving as a Senior Data Migration Specialist at AWS, I architect and execute complex enterprise migration strategies while actively expanding into Generative AI technologies to enhance migration efficiency and optimize data workflows. My core competencies include database architecture, performance optimization, migration planning, and cross-platform data integration, combining decades of hands-on experience with modern cloud methodologies to deliver scalable, reliable data solutions that bridge traditional database principles with emerging AI capabilities. **Kai Wagner** \- I’m Kai\, a Senior Engineering Manager at Percona with almost two decades of "bleeding" open source in my DNA\. From the Linux Kernel and Ceph at SUSE to leading PostgreSQL development today\, my career is built on a foundation of transparent communication and community\-driven innovation\. In my free time\, I'm a handball\, agility and movement coach for various ages and teams\, next to spending time with the family and on the house\. **Note** We will again take notes who signs up and does not show up. This information will be used to provide seats to others at future events. Plain and simple: please only sign up if you plan to attend.

** ATTENTION: we moved to luma. please RVSP [HERE](https://luma.com/12min.me_Berlin)** # ​[12min.me](https://12min.me/) START UP is a brand new morning format for bold ideas and fresh perspectives ​Berlin Startup Community, we’re launching something new. Together with betahaus, we’re bringing the [12min.me](http://12min.me/) spirit into the morning. ​[12min.me](http://12min.me/) STARTUP is a three-part breakfast series, embedded in the well-known betabreakfast format. Instead of three speakers in one evening, we do things differently. ​One morning. One speaker. One focused impulse. ​12 minutes. One voice. Zero fluff. ​Join us for the first edition of [12min.me](http://12min.me/) STARTUP, a compact morning session for founders, operators, creatives and everyone building things that matter. ​**✔️ What to expect** * ​One inspiring startup-related talk * ​12 minutes of sharp insight * ​Curated exchange over breakfast * ​The familiar [12min.me](http://12min.me/) energy, just earlier in the day# ​ **The formula stays the same** * ​12 minutes talk * ​12 minutes of Q&A * ​12 minutes of networking ​The familiar [12min.me](http://12min.me/) energy, just earlier in the day ​** Our speakers** **Speaker 1 @March 5** **[Jonathan Hegel](https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonathan-beisiegel) from [FW Systems](https://www.linkedin.com/company/frachtwerk/)** Jonathan is the CEO of FW Systems, a specialized system house for open source solutions and IT services with a fixed-price model. After years in traditional IT, where he regularly had to work night shifts due to emergencies, he decided to do things better—for customers and for IT professionals. Today, he help SMEs transform their IT from a constant work in progress to a reliable infrastructure they can depend on. **Jonathan\`s talk: "How we are completely rethinking system administration as a service for your company"** Companies cannot possibly do everything themselves. So things like accounting, logistics, and IT are outsourced to external service providers. In the IT sector, system houses have been doing very well for themselves in recent decades! Every little thing is charged for, and if there are any errors, the customer is expected to open a ticket. We are rethinking this! We are applying the “as-a-service” concept from Airbnb, Uber, and Everstox to system administration and taking responsibility. Jonathan will show how this works in his talk. ​ **Speaker 2 @March 12** **[Anne Biedermann](https://www.linkedin.com/in/anne-biedermann/), independent wealth partner for women** Anne has extensive experience across venture capital, single-family-office & HNWI investing, and early-stage operations. She works with investors who are building, inheriting, or stewarding wealth on how to allocate capital with clarity — particularly where venture capital intersects with long-term wealth strategy. Anne also invests personally, giving her a practitioner’s perspective on capital allocation decisions. **Anna\`s talk: "Not All Capital Is the Same: Decoding Investor Behavior"** Founders often assume all investors evaluate risk, timelines, and returns the same way and that assumption is costly. This session breaks down how funds, family offices, and individual investors actually make decisions, where founder–investor misalignment typically begins, and how founders can better position themselves for the right kind of capital, not just any capital. **Speaker 3 @March 19** **[Immo Ait Stapelfeld](https://www.linkedin.com/in/immoaitstapelfeld/), Co-Founder & CEO at [913.ai](https://913.ai)** **"From Legal Complexity to Practical AI. How We Help Regulated Industries Use AI Without Losing Control"** This presentation tells the story of Immo’s transition from a trained lawyer working in mass proceedings to an entrepreneur building AI products for regulated industries. His legal background, combined with hands-on experience as a founder, shaped a pragmatic view on AI. not as a disruptive replacement, but as a controlled and compliant tool. At[ ](http://913.ai)[913.ai](https://913.ai), this perspective enables conservative organizations such as insurers to enter the AI era in a way that respects regulation, responsibility, and existing teams while still unlocking real efficiency gains. ​ **The series at a glance** [12min.me](http://12min.me/) STARTUP consists of three independent sessions. Please follow the luma link for registration: * ​[March 5, 2025](https://luma.com/yo32qaud) * ​[March 12, 2025](https://luma.com/y0wytmck) * ​[March 19, 2025](https://luma.com/cucrx8is) ​Each session has its own Luma page and can be attended individually. ​**Event details for the whole series** * ​**Location**: betahaus Kreuzberg, Rudi-Dutschke-Straße 23, 10969 Berlin * ​**Time**: Doors open 9:30, Start 10:00, End 11:00 * ​**Entry**: Free entry including breakfast and drinks * ​**RSVP:** via [Lu.ma](http://lu.ma/) to save your spot as spots are limited ​**Why mornings** Because good ideas don’t only happen after work. We believe in strong insights, respectful use of time and real conversations, even before noon. ​​ Join our WhatsApp group for more details and to engage with the community - [HERE](https://chat.whatsapp.com/FWphInbgYaKJUGv7Uusum9) we go. ​We’re looking forward to kicking off this new format with you. Lots of love, Your [12min.me](http://12min.me) Berlin crew [Sandra](http://linkedin.com/in/sandrakarner), Olha, Silvana, Ben \*\*\* **Media rights (picture and video recordings):** Participants agree that photos and video recordings made during the event may be used without any claim to compensation and without any time or space restrictions. The rights to image and video material are transferred to the organiser or the representatives of the press or other parties distributing image and sound material who are present on site, without exception and without any time or place restrictions.

Join us for an upcoming in-person Lean Coffee meetup. Lean Coffee is a lightly-structured meeting format where the attendees create the agenda. Bring your management challenges; whether you're managing people, products, processes or beyond, and solve them together with peers from a diverse set of backgrounds. This event is great for anybody trying to create better ways of working and wants to share with + learn from others trying to do the same.

Hey. Wir sind diese Woche bereits ausreichend Spieler. Wir suchen dennoch weiterhin Mitglieder. Bitte meldet euch direkt bei mir, wenn ihr Interesse habt in den Verein einzutreten. Dann planen wir euch das nächste Mal mit ein. Oder ihr schaut gleich hier vorbei: https://www.sg-ebt.de/de/mitglieder-service/deine-mitgliedschaft/mitglied-werden/, SG 39. #### English version below the German version. Dieses Event ist kostenfrei. Als Sportgruppe 39 im Verein SG Empor Brandenburger Tor 1952 e.V. (https://www.sg-ebt.de/de/mitglieder-service/deine-mitgliedschaft/ ) suchen wir aktuell neue Mitglieder für unser Team. Du kannst einen Monat lang hierüber zur Probe teilnehmen. Wenn du danach regelmäßig kommen möchtest, würden wir dich bitten, Vereinsmitglied zu werden. This event is free of any costs. As a sports group no. 39 within the SG Empor Brandenburger Tor 1952 e.V. club (https://www.sg-ebt.de/de/mitglieder-service/deine-mitgliedschaft/ ), we are currently looking for new members to join our team. You may participate for a trial period via this platform for one month. If you would like to come regularly afterwards, we would kindly ask you to become a club member. \*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\* 🔴 WICHTIG: Die Teilnahme wird nur nach RSVP bestätigt. Die Reihenfolge der RSVPs bestimmt die Priorisierung. Kein RSVP = Rückstufe auf die Warteliste. 👉 BITTE LIES DIE GRUPPENBESCHREIBUNG FÜR ALLE REGELN \*\*\* 🕔 Treffzeit: \#\#\# 18:00 Uhr Berliner Zeit 📍 Ort: Samariterstraße 19/20, 10247 Berlin [https://maps.app.goo.gl/igKzBJ9uEuyxd8SE7](https://maps.app.goo.gl/igKzBJ9uEuyxd8SE7) 🚨 Beginn: PÜNKTLICH um 18:15 Uhr 🚪 Türen der Sporthalle schließen: PÜNKTLICH um 18:15 Uhr – kein Einlass danach ⏱️ Ende: PÜNKTLICH um 20:00 Uhr (🧼 Duschen danach möglich) Bitte bringt jeweils ein weißes und ein dunkles Shirt mit! Wir spielen 5 gegen 5, 6 gegen 6 oder 7 gegen 7 Hallfutsal (wie auf dem Bild). Der Boden ist wie ein Basketballplatz — Futsal-Hallen-Schuhe sind ideal. ⚠️ Bitte sei respektvoll und aktualisiere dein RSVP, wenn du doch nicht kommen kannst — das hilft anderen beim Planen. ### \*\*\* ###⚠️ TEILNAHME-REGELN: RSVP, wenn du spielen möchtest. Bei Änderungen bitte rechtzeitig aktualisieren. Kein RSVP = Risiko, nicht spielen zu können. Nicht-Antreten trotz Anmeldung wird NICHT toleriert. Späte Absage: Nach Sonntag, 9 Uhr Bei Verspätung kann der Platz verloren gehen. Wiederholtes Nichterscheinen & späte Absagen = vorübergehender oder dauerhafter Ausschluss. 🚫 Wir übernehmen keine rechtliche Verantwortung für verlorene Gegenstände und für Verletzungen. \*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\* 🔴 **IMPORTANT:** Attendance is only confirmed after you RSVP. People will be prioritized based on RSVP order. No RSVP = back of the waitlist. 👉 PLEASE READ GROUP DESCRIPTION FOR ALL RULES \*\*\* \#\#\# 🕔 Meeting time: 18:00 Berlin time 📍 **Location:** Samariterstraße 19/20, 10247 Berlin [https://maps.app.goo.gl/igKzBJ9uEuyxd8SE7](https://maps.app.goo.gl/igKzBJ9uEuyxd8SE7) 🚨 **Kick-off:** 18:15 SHARP 🚪 **Gym doors close:** 18:15 SHARP – no entry after this ⏱️ **End:** 20:00 SHARP (🧼showers available afterward) Please bring each a white and a dark shirt! \*\*\* We’ll play 5v5, 6v6 or 7v7 indoor futsal (like in the picture). The surface is like a basketball court — futsal (sports hall) shoes are ideal. ⚠️ Please be respectful and update your RSVP if you can’t make it—this helps others join. \*\*\* \#\#\# ⚠️ ATTENDANCE RULES: * RSVP if you want to play. * If plans change, update your RSVP. * No RSVP = risk of not playing. * No-show-ups are NOT tolerated. * Late cancellation: After Sunday, 9AM * If you're late, you may lose your spot. * Repeated no-show-ups & late cancellation = temporary or permanent ban. 🚫 We take no legal responsibility for lost items and for injuries. \*\*\*

**!If you cannot belay, please contact us on the Telegram group!** Here is our Telegram group (to be protected against bots): https://tinyurl.com/BerlinClimbingMeetup2 **Safety:** **If you cannot belay, please contact us on the Telegram group about this and we will put you in a group with experience people. That way, if you cannot belay you can still come and climb with us. We are not allowed to teach anyone how to belay or refresh someone's belaying skills. If you have not belayed in the last 6 months or more, we recommend you do not attempt it here without taking a formal refresher course first.** Join us for some Sunday afternoon climbing at Magic Mountain. We will spend the afternoon climbing - lead and top rope followed by a meal afterwards. The Plan: 4:00 - 8:00 climbing 8:00+: Potential hangout (sauna from the gym, drinks. local restaurant) depending on the mood of participants Gear: You can rent all the gear you need - shoes, chalk and a harness. Finding the group: We will either be waiting outside on the wooden chairs or hanging around reception (if the weather is bad). If you're new to the group, I'd recommend trying to arrive on time or a bit in advance. Please use the link below to join our Telegram group and send us a message if you have trouble finding us. Note: We are not a "Magic Mountain" official Meetup, the hall has its own meetups, we are an independent group with events in different halls. So don't be confused if some of the reception people don't know about the meetup or tell you it happens on another day. :) In addition, while the event is free you will need to pay the entry to the gym and the rental equipment if you don't have it. (20 to 25 euros) Telegram Group: You can also join our Telegram group using this link: https://tinyurl.com/BerlinClimbingMeetup Please PM me if the link stops working again.

Welcome to Sunday Tech Coffee. This is a **networking** event for those in the tech industry in Berlin. We are usually inside and to the right. Ask the barista/bartender if you can't find us.

A small NEXUS gathering built around movement rather than discussion alone. This is for high-bandwidth Mavericks who spend most of their time in conceptual thought and need some physical counterweight. Why bouldering? Because it’s deliberate: short problems, full focus, and immediate feedback. You’re on the wall, solving something tangible. The mental noise drops instantly! Conversations happen naturally in between climbs. No pressure, you move at your own pace. Some exchanges stay light. Others go deep. Both are fine. This is not about athletic achievement. It’s about presence, recalibration, and being around people who don’t require you to shrink or translate yourself. Come as you are. Try some bouldering problems. Rest when needed, and engage where it makes sense. **Bring comfortable clothes and climbing shoes if you have them (rentals are available at the gym).** *Registration equals commitment. If you sign up, you show up. Read the group description first and decide consciously. For context about NEXUS, visit our* ***[website](https://thenexusformula.com)*** *and* ***[newsletter](https://news.thenexusformula.com)****.*

**⭐ NEW LOCATION! ⭐ PLEASE ARRIVE BEFORE 8PM! ⭐** The Creative Code Stammtisch is a casual show-and-tell for artists, makers, designers, coders, performers, learners and anyone interested in the use of computing skills for artistic expression. The event is free and open to all, regardless of age, origin, gender or experience. Beginners and first-timers should feel especially welcome! You don't have to be a coder yourself 😃 HOW TO FIND US? Find Prachtsaal Studio by crossing the courtyard next to Cafe Augusta on Jonasstr. 22, 12053 Berlin. **NOTE: NEW LOCATION!** WHAT SHOULD I EXPECT? We start with quick introductions, then open the floor to anyone who wants to present something. There are usually around six 10-minute slots available, plus time for questions from the audience. First-timers are encouraged to share their work. Topics range from net art to computational design and interactive installations all the way to wearable electronics or generative poetry. If you’re wondering whether your own project might fit, take a look at the [Stammtisch archive](https://creativecodeberlin.github.io/Stammtisch/) to see what others have shared in the past. This event is *not* just for coders! New-media artists and anyone working with technology in their art are very welcome to share. If you enjoy art and/or technology, you’ll likely have a great time, and maybe even learn something new! BEGINNERS WELCOME! If you’re new to creative coding, you can find beginner-friendly resources at [creativecode.berlin/learn](https://creativecode.berlin/learn). THIS IS YOUR SPACE We do our best to create a welcoming environment for all people regardless of race, ethnicity, color, religion, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, or genetics. People from group generally underrepresented in open-source, art, and technology fields are warmly encouraged to come by. And if you know someone who might enjoy this meetup but isn’t sure it’s for them, let them know they’ll be welcome! SAFE SPACE POLICY We support the Berlin Code of Conduct: [berlincodeofconduct.org](http://berlincodeofconduct.org/) Please read and make sure you agree with its content. ACCESSIBILITY Prachtsaal Studio is located on an easy to access ground floor. We're very sorry to say that the bathrooms are not wheelchair accessible yet. DO I NEED TO SPEAK GERMAN? We speak mostly English so international guests are more than welcome! Our team also speaks French, Italian, Spanish, Dutch, Finnish and German... though language availability may vary depending on which organizers are present :) CONTACT Raphaël de Courville team@creativecode.berlin +49 (0) 176 70070572 or get in touch via [creativecode.berlin](https://creativecode.berlin/) *** The featured artwork of the month is by Fairlix (https://instagram.com/fairlix). We'd love to feature your work on the cover for the next Stammtisch! Please send an image at team@creativecode.berlin

Join this **Interview Simulation** session — to sharpen the skills for both interviews **and** architectural pitches. 💡 How it works The event is split into three parts: 1. **Answers for common behavioral questions** \- at the beginning\, I will read some common interview questions\, explain what they mean\, and give the correct answers\. 2. **Interview Simulation (10 minute rounds)** – One participant acts as the interviewee and answers a round of behavioral and design-focused questions. Each other participant gets to ask him one interview question. 3. **Feedback Round** – The group provides feedback on communication, structure, and clarity. Constructive criticism is encouraged. 💡You will be asked: * **Behavioral questions** (“Tell me about yourself”, “Describe a challenge you faced...”) * **Technical questions** (based on your tech stack) * **Light design problems** (high-level reasoning, not code) No need to prepare anything in advance — just bring curiosity and an open mind. Feel free to bring your CV if you’d like feedback from others, or share a few words if you’re currently job hunting. If so, we will also brainstorm answers to more common questions that you were asked. Whether you’re preparing for an interview or simply want to grow as a software designer or architect, this session is for you. Note: location is restaurant Hackesher Hoff: https://maps.app.goo.gl/btSChwkJzaoUSfN7A 💡Resources: * IT portfolio ideas: ideabrowser.com , reddit.com/r/SideProject * mock interview platforms: pramp.com , interviewbit.com , finalroundai.com * online coding platforms: leetcode.com, hackerrank.com, codewars.com , codingame.com , projecteuler.net ,techiedelight.com , exercism.org * confidence building exercises: [Confidence exercises ](https://limewire.com/d/o4tZw#RLA03qdOxU) , [reddit discussion](https://www.reddit.com/r/jobs/comments/1cjlblp/how_in_the_world_do_you_keep_your_selfesteem_up/) , [another discussion](https://www.quora.com/How-do-I-keep-my-self-esteem-from-being-destroyed-while-job-hunting) , [quora discussion](https://www.quora.com/In-my-late-50s-I-find-myself-out-of-work-for-the-first-time-in-30-years-How-do-I-replace-apprehension-and-anxiety-with-confidence-to-job-hunt) * success stories: [story 1](https://www.reddit.com/r/RemoteJobseekers/comments/1p8faip/i_finally_landed_a_remote_job_after_10_months_of/), [story 2](https://www.reddit.com/r/RemoteJobseekers/comments/1fdpeg2/how_i_landed_multiple_remote_job_offers_my_remote/)

**Agenda:** * 6-6:30 pm: Networking and food/drinks * 6:30-7:15 pm: Announcements and presentation * 7:15 pm-7:30 pm: Q&A and close-out **Hacking the Stack: Using OpenSearch Dashboards as an Application Framework** Most developers treat OpenSearch Dashboards (OSD) strictly as a visualization layer—a place for charts and graphs. They are missing the bigger picture. OSD is a powerful, untapped environment for full-stack application development. In this session, we peel back the architecture of **an enterprise-grade risk, compliance, and security platform built entirely *on top of* OSD**. We moved beyond simple plugins and pushed OSD to its limits to create a seamless, interactive application experience. Join us for a deep dive into the engineering reality of the OpenSearch stack, including: * **The Analysis:** Why the OpenSearch stack beat out the competition. * **The Build,** **Beyond Visualization:** How to implement custom React components to build complex workflows and interactive UIs within OSD. * **The Integrations:** Integrating Wazuh for agent management and ingesting data at scale. * **The “Gotchas”:** Honest, real-world lessons on data handling, state management, and what to look out for. **If you are ready to push your plugins from “reporting tools” to “robust software,” do not miss this session!**

A weekly networking meeting where we have a lot of fun and of course, meet other busy professionals!

**Agenda :** * 4.45 to 5.00 PM ET: Food and Networking * 5.00 to 5.50 PM ET: "Data Science & Machine Learning with Microsoft Fabric" Hello Everyone! Please join us for our March 12th edition of the AI-ML MeetUp. **Please note this is an in-person meeting and light refreshments/food will be provided. You will need a government-issued ID to enter the facility.** **Title:** Data Science & Machine Learning with Microsoft Fabric **Description:** Explore Microsoft Fabric’s integrated Data Science experience across ideation, preprocessing, modeling, & deployment. Learn how to ingest and prepare data via OneLake and Lakehouse, leverage Notebooks, Data Wrangler, Spark, SynapseML, MLflow for experimentation, & operationalize predictions with batch scoring and Power BI direct integration. Also, learn to build generative AI Q&A systems using Fabric Data Agents. **Location:** The meeting will be hosted in the Applied Information Sciences ( AIS ) office in Reston, at 11440 Commerce Park Dr # 600 · Reston, VA. The location is also right off the Silver Line metro's Wiehle-Reston Metro Station. **Parking:** Parking is paid and can be validated at the AIS office reception. We will meet in Room Lake Anne. We hope to see you all there!!!!

Join the [Loudoun Wildlife Conservancy](https://www.loudounwildlife.org/) and [A Fighting Chance Foundation](https://www.afightingchancefoundation.org/about) for a special fundraising event at Lost Rhino Brewing in Ashburn VA on Friday, March 13th. Come out to enjoy a fun Friday night of music, friendship, and great food and drinks, all for two great causes! **Special musical guests** – The Outpatients (Northern VA band well known for their Americana musical mayhem). **Tickets: $10** at the door, with all proceeds benefiting Loudoun Wildlife and A Fighting Chance. Lost Rhino is also graciously donating **10%** of all sales to both organizations. Loudoun Wildlife Conservancy is a volunteer-powered nonprofit working to protect, preserve, and restore wildlife habitat while shaping a Loudoun where people and wildlife thrive together. Learn more at: [https://www.loudounwildlife.org](https://www.loudounwildlife.org/) A Fighting Chance is ensures that all pets are given the best chance possible to recover from a life-threatening medical condition or accident regardless of the financial circumstances of their caregivers. Learn more at: [https://www.afightingchancefoundation.org/about](https://www.afightingchancefoundation.org/about)

**DC Service Jam is back.** This March, SD:DC is hosting the DC edition of Global Service Jam 2026 week. We are part of a worldwide movement of designers, strategists, and curious minds who come together to build real service concepts from scratch. From **Saturday March 14 to Sunday March 15**, you'll work in a small team around a secret theme revealed at kick-off. No briefs, no client. Just hands-on design, rapid prototyping, and plenty of Post-its. This year we're bringing AI into the mix. Throughout the weekend we'll look at how AI tools can support service design work, as a sensemaking tool, to build artifacts faster, and to push prototypes further. **WHAT TO EXPECT** **Saturday March 14th** * **9 - 10am:** social / breakfast (theme reveal + team formation) * **10am - 6pm:** full day of research, ideation, and prototyping (meals provided) * **6:30pm (optional):** social / happy hour (nearby bar) **Sunday March 15th** * **9 - 10am:** social / breakfast * **10am - 12pm:** finalize prototyping & storytelling * **12pm - 2pm:** present your work and share what DC made with the world **WHO SHOULD COME** You don't need to be a service designer. If you're a UX or product designer, strategist, public servant, researcher, or just someone curious about how services actually work, you're welcome here. **LOGISTICS** * **Dates:** Saturday March 14th & Sunday 15th (ending at 2pm) * **Venue:** SteamPunk, McLean, VA * **Capacity:** 50 spots only (first come, first served) * **Attendee fee:** $60\* (covers meals, materials, and space) *\* If the fee is a barrier for you, we have a limited number of discounted tickets available, just reach out to Sergio Venegas directly for a code.* **WHAT TO BRING** ✔️ An open mind and a willingness to make things ✔️ Laptop and charger ✔️ Curiosity about Service Design (no experience needed) **Follow SD:DC on LinkedIn and @DCServiceJam on Instagram for updates!** \*\*\* Many thanks to our host and sponsor, **SteamPunk** *Design. Disrupt, Repeat. Steampunk is anchored by a startup culture with a customer-centered delivery approach. We put our Federal government clients in the center of everything we design, develop, and deliver to drive high quality mission impacts and user experiences at speed.*

**🪷 COST:** You must register with this link to attend- [Register Here!](https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/ticketing/woodland-and-water-resonance-a-forest-therapy-and-sound-bath-walk) **🌿 Description:** Early March, by the water, carries a different kind of awakening — **softer, reflective, spacious.** 🌊 Nestled around a 350-acre reservoir, Beaverdam Park offers wooded paths, natural-surface trails, and peaceful lake views. Forest and water meet here, creating the perfect setting to slow down and listen. ✨ We’ll begin with a **gentle, guided forest therapy walk** through the trees, pausing along the way to notice the stillness of the reservoir and the subtle signs of early spring. After enjoying a snack & sipping foraged tisane/tea while sitting near the water, we’ll settle in for an **immersive outdoor sound bath**. 🎶 Singing bowls and resonant instruments will blend with the soft lapping of water, breeze through branches, and birdsong overhead. The lake amplifies and carries sound in a uniquely soothing way — supporting nervous system reset, emotional clarity, and deep restoration. We’ll close with a silent walk back along the trail, taking in the serenity of forest and water. 🌿 **A morning of reflection, resonance, and renewal.** **🥾 What we'll do:** We will walk \~2 miles, depending on timing and the desires of the group. This is an out and back hike with minimal elevation gain or loss. **👋🏼 Meeting point:** Meet at 9:50am in the parking lot. We will start at 10am. **🚙 Parking:** Park by the National Recreation and Park Association building adjacent to Brambleton Community Park West. Google map location: https://maps.app.goo.gl/qBEq9qVXnamC6H6E8 **🚻 Miscellaneous:** We will have access to a bathroom along the way. **🎒Preparation:** * Water * Layers of clothes based on the weather * A snack if you would like * ​Sturdy comfortable shoes * Bug spray * Sunblock & a hat **🪷 COST:** You must register with this link to attend- [Register Here!](https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/ticketing/woodland-and-water-resonance-a-forest-therapy-and-sound-bath-walk) **🌐 WEBSITE: [https://imaginebeingwell.org/](https://imaginebeingwell.org/)** 🌐 **NEWSLETTER:** [CLICK HERE](https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/newsletter-form/sign-up-for-the-imagine-well-being-newsletter) to Sign Up to join Imagine Well Being’s mailing list to stay informed on the latest news and upcoming events. **⭐️ LIABILITY RELEASE:** With my RSVP, I hereby stipulate that I am physically sound to participate in this event. I understand and agree that all classes, gatherings and workshops are undertaken at my sole risk and that Imagine Well Being guides and instructors shall not be liable for injuries or damages to my person or property arising out of or connected to any of these activities. I authorize Imagine Well Being guides and instructors to call 911 in the event that I appear to require emergency medical care, and I assume responsibility for all associated costs. I have carefully read this agreement and understand its contents. I agree that it is a complete release of liability for any injuries or damage that I may sustain due to Imagine classes, gatherings, and workshops. I authorize Imagine Well Being guides and instructors to call 911 in the event that I appear to require emergency medical care, and I assume responsibility for all associated costs. **I have carefully read this agreement and understand its contents. I agree that it is a complete release of liability for any injuries or damage that I may sustain due to Imagine classes, gatherings, and workshops.**

# ✨ Real Founder Lessons for Builders & Career Pivoters (Ashburn) **Saturday, March 14 • 2–4 PM • Ashburn, VA** What if growing your work didn’t have to come with constant exhaustion? This entrepreneur-focused session is a behind-the-scenes conversation about how to build, pivot, and scale **without burning yourself out** — and without chasing work that drains your energy. Whether you’re launching something new, navigating a career pivot, or rebuilding after a layoff, the principles are the same: 👉 protect your energy 👉 make smarter pivots 👉 build momentum that lasts 👉 apply AI practically to support smarter decisions and workflows Over 12 years, I’ve launched **7 startups and side hustles** — alongside **21 years in corporate tech leadership**. The biggest lesson wasn’t scaling tactics… It was learning when to pivot, how to sustain momentum, and how to align what energizes you with what serves your customers — an approach that generated **revenue** in my first full-time year without burnout. A key part of that evolution has been learning how to integrate AI in grounded, practical ways — helping accelerate testing, decision-making, and workflow clarity without adding complexity. During this session, I’ll share real founder insights — including a live screen walkthrough — showing how smart pivots happen and what separates intentional growth from reactive hustle. *** ## What We’ll Explore 1. **How to recognize when to pivot — and when to stay the course** 2. **Building energy-first systems instead of burnout cycles** 3. **Founder decision-making under pressure** 4. **Designing work that supports long-term momentum** 5. **Why sustainable growth outperforms hustle culture** 6. **Using AI strategically to support pivots, experimentation, and smarter workflows** This is not a lecture or pitch — it’s a grounded founder conversation for people who want to grow smarter and build work that lasts. Expect practical thinking, humor, and takeaways you can use immediately. *** ## Event Details 💵 $20 RSVP — includes coffee + snacks 📍 Ashburn, VA (exact address shared after RSVP) 🕑 2:00 PM – 4:00 PM 👥 Max 15 attendees — intentionally small for meaningful conversation Most attendees are professionals, founders, and growth-minded builders navigating reinvention, pivots, or startup ideas. *** ## About the Space — Startup Garage Style Hosted in my early-founder style startup garage — a **bright, spacious, comfortable Ashburn living room** designed for focused conversation and practical learning. These sessions are intentionally intimate — closer to a founder roundtable than a seminar. *** ## Background — Corporate to Founder Journey After **21 years in corporate tech leadership**, including senior director role, I transitioned into full-time entrepreneurship, building on years of startup and side-hustle experience. If you’re exploring a career pivot or next chapter, you’ll find this conversation highly practical. *** ## 🔗 Builder Ecosystem & Resources 🌐 Website: [https://midlifereinvention.co](https://midlifereinvention.co) ▶ YouTube (300K+ views): [https://www.youtube.com/@midlife_mindfulness](https://www.youtube.com/@midlife_mindfulness) 💼 LinkedIn (4K+ followers): [https://www.linkedin.com/in/anju-debnath-0061524/](https://www.linkedin.com/in/anju-debnath-0061524/) 🤝 Meetup Community: [https://www.meetup.com/ashburn-transition-meetup-group/](https://www.meetup.com/ashburn-transition-meetup-group/) 📚 Amazon Author Page (2 Books published, more on the way): [https://www.amazon.com/stores/Anju-Debnath/author/B0FFNBVZLQ](https://www.amazon.com/stores/Anju-Debnath/author/B0FFNBVZLQ) Everything shared comes from lived founder experience — not theory. *** **Space is intentionally limited to ensure focused discussion, interactive learning, and practical takeaways you can use immediately.**