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Stripe London developer meetup - March 2026 (In Person)
**Join us on March 10th for the Stripe London developer meetup. This is an in-person event for anyone building with Stripe. An evening focused on Stripe user experiences, product insights, best practices, and community.**
🍕🍺🎁 **Perks**
Food, drink, and SWAG provided!
**🎫 Tickets**
There is a hard limit for RSVP :) Wait list will be operating on Meetup.
**📍Location**
The event is hosted at Stripe's London offices near Liverpool St station.
**🕚 Rough timings**
* 6:30 pm - 7:00 pm: Doors open with refreshments
* 7:00 pm - 8:00 pm: Talks and Q&A
* 8:00 pm - 8:30 pm: Drinks, food, and networking
**📣 Talks**
1\. An Engine for End\-to\-End Payments: Reconciliation\, Idempotency\, and Consistency \- **Patrick Nwakeze, Senior Mobile Engineer at UniTaskr**
2. **Anna Spysz Developer Advocate, Stripe**
Don't miss this opportunity to connect with the Stripe community.
[Stripe developer code of conduct.](https://stripe.com/legal/developer-code-of-conduct)
The PUBlic SPEAKING Group - Public Speaking with Authenticity (Reps Over Rules)
***The Fitzroy Tavern Edition***
ALTERNATIVE PLATFORM FOR BOOKINGS: **EVENTBRITE** (link below)
Start your public speaking journey with us.
Like a lot of people, we’ve had our own battles with public speaking.
That’s exactly why this group exists.
It’s for anyone who wants a place to start, people who want to keep practising, and those who just need a friendly audience to try things out.
We grow at our own pace and build confidence in a relaxed, safe and supportive space.
You’ll meet like-minded people, make new connections, and steadily get more comfortable speaking in front of others.
There’s no judgement here.
It’s just space for people to be themselves. We know there’s no single “right” way to speak in public.
Whether you’re prepping for presentations, interviews, a best man speech, handling social situations, or simply getting more comfortable saying what you think, you’re welcome to explore your own style and find what feels natural to you here.
PS
Free event.
Groups are kept small so everyone gets plenty of stage time, usually no more than 10–15 people.
The pub kindly lets us use their space, so if you fancy it, feel free to grab a drink (or just a soft drink ) while you’re here. It’s a nice way to say thanks and helps us keep the space for future sessions.
Eventbrite link:
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/public-speaking-with-authenticity-reps-not-rules-tickets-1980278600602?utm_experiment=test_share_listing&aff=ebdsshios&sg=44d6d68e9a6562610839867fc9177e5b1d319685453f7cbd5502deb615049586b7e092be26e1ecfe0679502e35d905a0559ee449358ed8b5a17242d1abf6a83846e04015227bdfed111e8f519a62
GenAI UK #18 Agentic AI & GPU Optimisation - Nearform/Tessl
Hello and welcome to the next GenAI UK Meetup #18.
This event brings together engineers, practitioners, builders, and leaders working across cloud-native platforms, open-source ecosystems, Gen AI, Data and Agentic AI.
Our meetups are friendly, welcoming, and community-driven; everyone is welcome, whether you’re experienced or just curious.
This session will include practitioner talks, demos, Q&A, and time for networking with like-minded peers. Food and refreshments will be provided for in-person events where a host venue is supporting.
We are delighted to host this event in **London** on the **10th of March** with [Nearform ](https://nearform.com/)and [Tessl](https://tessl.io/)
**Speakers and Sessions:**
Speaker: Luke Philips-Sheard, Engineering Manager, Vercel
Session: Luke will break down GPU performance optimisation and AI sandboxing. Drawing on experience in finance and high-growth environments, he’ll explore how to manage GPU resources, isolate workloads, and prevent performance bottlenecks in real systems.
Speaker: Jack Foxabbott, Founding Member of Technical Staff, Stealth Startup
Session: Jack will dive into Neural Kernel Search and the evolution of custom CUDA for non-standard architectures. A practical look at how low-level optimisation unlocks performance gains that frameworks alone can’t deliver.
**Agenda (GMT /UK ):**
* 18:00: Welcome and refreshments
* 18:30: Introduction
* 18:35: Speaker 1
* 19:10: Break
* 19:20: Speaker 2
* 19:55: Close and Networking
**Get Involved:**
We are always keen to hear from:
• Speakers — case studies, engineering deep dives, lessons learned, open-source talks
• Hosts — organisations able to provide space for future meetups
• Sponsors — support with refreshments, marketing, or accessibility
If you would like to speak, sponsor, or host a future event, please get in touch with **[Ethan Sumner](https://www.linkedin.com/in/ethansumner404/)**[ ](https://www.linkedin.com/in/ethansumner404/)via LinkedIn.
You can find our YouTube Channel **[here](https://www.youtube.com/@CommunityStackHQ)[.](https://www.youtube.com/@CommunityStackHQ)**
This community forms part of the **[Community Stack ecosystem](https://www.meetup.com/pro/generative-ai-uk-community/)**[ ](https://www.meetup.com/pro/generative-ai-uk-community/)and follows the Community Stack [Code of Conduct](https://www.communitystack.io/code-of-conduct) and[ Privacy Policy](https://www.communitystack.io/privacy-policy) to ensure a respectful, inclusive, and welcoming environment for all attendees. By registering for this event, you agree to these terms.
Free Public Speaking: Beginners to Advanced – Central London Toastmasters
🎤 **Join Our Free Public Speaking Class in Central London**
* 🌟 Are you struggling with public speaking or experiencing anxiety about it?
* 👉 Attend our in-person public speaking class, suitable for beginners to advanced speakers, absolutely FREE as a guest!
*You don't need to speak - just observe and learn, or participate if you feel ready.*
**Why Attend Our Public Speaking Class?**
* 💪 **Overcome Public Speaking Fear**
Central London Toastmasters is the premier weekly public speaking club, offering a relaxed and supportive environment. Practice in a safe space where no one judges you, and start your journey to becoming a confident speaker.
* ✨ **Become a Charismatic Speaker**
Enhance your public speaking skills and develop the charisma you've always wanted. Impress your colleagues with smooth, polished presentations and wow your friends with newfound confidence and storytelling abilities.
* 💼 **Improve Business Speaking Skills**
Our meetings are friendly and informal, making them the perfect starting point for building confidence in public speaking. Many of our members began with anxiety, but now speak with total confidence. As a guest, you’ll see firsthand how warm and welcoming our club is, and you can chat with members about their experiences.
* 🏆 **Develop Leadership Skills**
Public speaking is not just about presenting; it's also about leading. Our club provides opportunities to take on leadership roles, helping you to develop crucial skills like team management, decision-making, and strategic thinking that can benefit your personal and professional life.
📅 **Location and Time**
* 📍 Location: Cittie of Yorke pub, Holborn
* ⏰ Time: 6:30 PM – 8:30 PM (Feel free to arrive late and quietly take a seat)
🔄 **What to Expect at Our Meetings**
* The meeting is divided into two halves, each lasting approximately 50 minutes, with a 10-minute break.
* 🎯 First Half: Members participate in impromptu speeches, and guests are invited to introduce themselves by name.
* 📈 Second Half: Members deliver prepared speeches followed by evaluations.
* After the meeting, we enjoy drinks and informal chats, providing a great opportunity to network and learn more about the club.
🎟️ **Interested in Becoming a Member?**
Membership includes access to our online course, Pathways, guiding you step-by-step through your public speaking journey. A full year’s membership, covering 50 weekly meetings, is just £168, plus a one-time £30 registration fee.
**💬 Testimonials from Our Members**
* **“Toastmasters transformed my life!”**
"I went from fearing public speaking to leading meetings at work. This newfound confidence even earned me a promotion!" – **Alexander**
* **"A warm and supportive club!"**
"From the first meeting, I felt welcomed. The constructive feedback boosted my confidence both in public speaking and daily life." – **Sarah**
* **"Overcoming my fear was easier than I thought."**
"The support here made my sales presentations more impactful and less stressful. It's been a game-changer for me professionally." – **David**
* **"A fun and rewarding experience."**
"I look forward to every meeting. The sessions are engaging, and I love the socializing afterward." – **Lucy**
* **"I've grown as a speaker and leader."**
"Taking on roles in the club has sharpened my leadership skills, making me more effective at work." – **James**
AI & Tech Forge: Builders, Solution Architects & Innovators
**Welcome to Networx London!**
Are you a tech professional, digital innovator, or IT leader looking to connect with others driving the future of technology and business?
Join us for an evening focused on AI, innovation, and their global impact in the years ahead.
This event brings together experts, builders, and curious minds to explore how AI is actually being built and used today. Whether you’re a founder, investor, professional, or simply curious about the AI revolution, this is your chance to learn, connect, and be inspired.
We start at **6:30 PM** with a warm welcome and light icebreakers to get conversations flowing, followed by **open networking all evening**. No formal pitches—just real connections, fresh ideas, and meaningful relationships in a friendly, laid-back setting.
📍 **Venue: The Hydrant, Monument** Located in the vibrant City of London area, **The Hydrant** offers a stylish yet welcoming atmosphere perfect for networking and socializing. With its modern interiors, spacious layout, and relaxed vibe, it’s an ideal spot for after-work drinks and professional gatherings. Just a short walk from **Monument station**, it provides the perfect setting for meaningful conversations and new connections in a chic but unpretentious environment.
📅 **Event Schedule**
**18:30 – 19:00 \| Welcome Kick off** with a warm intro and fun icebreakers to set the tone.
**19:00 – 19:30 \| Meet & Greet** Mingle and network in an open, friendly setting
**19:30 – 20:00 \| Some pitches \(not guaranteed\)** A few attendees may get the chance to briefly introduce themselves or their business (if time allows).
**20:00 – 21:30 \| Informal Networking** Free-flowing, informal networking all evening—no sales, no pressure. Just authentic connections with amazing people.
💡 **Why Attend?**
**🤝 Build Valuable Connections** – Network with business leaders, investors, and professionals across London.
**🚀 Unlock New Opportunities** – Discover potential partners, collaborators, or clients.
**📈 Stay Informed** – Gain insights into the latest trends in tech, finance, startups, and entrepreneurship.
This event is perfect for anyone seeking to expand their professional circle, grow their business, or gain fresh perspectives from a dynamic mix of professionals.
👥 **Who’s coming?** This event is perfect for **software engineers, developers, AI/ML professionals, data scientists, cybersecurity specialists, cloud & DevOps engineers, IT consultants, product managers, tech founders, startup builders, and people working in digital transformation** — basically anyone curious about AI, intelligent systems, robotics, and the future of technology.
**🎟 Tickets & Entry:** To avoid the venue getting overcrowded and ensure everyone enjoys an amazing night, we've introduced a small ticket price to keep things running smoothly.
**Limited spots!** Register today and hit **Follow** for updates on future weekly events.
📸 **Event Photography** Please note that photos and videos may be taken for promotional purposes.
**Note**: Proof of ID required for alcoholic beverages. 18+ only.
🔗 \*\*Join our WhatsApp group to connect before and after the event:\*\*👉 [https://chat.whatsapp.com/GisOCaIiMeKEehV5Lv7qxg](https://chat.whatsapp.com/GisOCaIiMeKEehV5Lv7qxg "https://chat.whatsapp.com/GisOCaIiMeKEehV5Lv7qxg")
East Herts Speakers - public speaking for beginners and all levels! (2nd Tue)
Join us at East Herts Speakers and explore how we can assist you in honing your public speaking and leadership abilities within a welcoming and enjoyable setting.
Embark on a journey of learning through experience – our structured program of speeches is designed with specific goals to help you progress steadily. Each meeting provides numerous club roles, ensuring you actively engage with speaking in front of an audience.
What makes our approach truly special is the immediate and positive feedback you'll receive. Every speaking role is evaluated at each meeting, offering commendations and recommendations. From prepared speeches to impromptu speaking, every session is filled with opportunities for growth.
Many of our members started with uncertainties about public speaking, but now, they relish the experience and eagerly share their learning journey with new members.
Whether it's for professional development, a special occasion, or simply to conquer one of the most challenging yet rewarding skills in life, come and witness our activities. East Herts Speakers is a fantastic place to learn, grow, and have a great time.
Be part of our Toastmasters International community, a global organization with 300,000 individuals meeting in small groups to refine their speaking skills. For additional insights, visit [http://www.toastmasters.org](http://www.toastmasters.org/) ([http://www.toastmasters.org/](http://www.toastmasters.org/)). We look forward to welcoming you!
SaaS Marketers Connect in London | powered by DeepL | 10.03 at 6pm
📅 Tuesday\, 10 March \| 6–8pm 📍 DeepL HQ\, London Soho
**Topic of the Evening:** Influencer Marketing in B2B Demand Gen
🚪 **Getting In** Doors open at **5:45 PM – 6:15 PM**. Please arrive on time so we can register you at reception.
📍 **Venue** WeWork / DeepL Office – 5th Floor 16 Great Chapel St, London W1F 8FS
At reception, let them know you're here for the **DeepL meetup** and they'll sign you in and send you up.
⏰ **Important:** Doors close at **6:20 PM sharp** — please don't be late
______
B2B creator marketing is having a moment and we've got two leaders who are living it to share creative ideas and practical tips.
[Jennifer Phan](https://www.linkedin.com/in/jenniferphn/) is the Co-founder & CEO of Passionfroot, the agentic infrastructure for creator-led GTM. Passionfroot is trusted by modern B2B marketing and growth teams at Figma, Replit and ElevenLabs to scale creator-led growth across LinkedIn, newsletters, YouTube, and emerging channels - turning trusted voices into a measurable, repeatable growth engine.
[Lisa Vecchio](https://www.linkedin.com/in/lisavecchio/) is the Senior Director, Marketing at VEED, the AI-powered video creation platform empowering marketing teams to create high-quality content effortlessly. A CIM Chartered Marketer with over 20 years of global marketing experience, Lisa has led marketing for SaaS and high-growth companies like Aircall, Hootsuite, and Expedia Group.
**What to Expect**
Expect interactive panel, actionable takeaways and plenty of pizza to brighten your Tuesday evening 🍕
Spots are limited, grab yours now and come ready to learn from each other.
See you there! [Stan](https://www.linkedin.com/in/eustachybielecki/) & the DeepL Team
Develop Author & Speaker Platforms Events This Week
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Strategic Thinking Lab for Emerging Leaders - Make real decisions.
If you’ve recently stepped into leadership, you’re probably facing decisions that feel heavier than expected.
Not because they’re complicated.
Because they involve trade-offs.
You might be circling:
* A hire you’re unsure about
* A pricing change with ripple effects
* A pivot that feels risky
* A messy internal process
* A trade-off with no clean answer
This is a small, facilitated working session (max 3 participants).
We take real decisions and think them through properly.
Not networking.
Not theory.
Not pitching.
Structured thinking.
### Format
• 3 participants
• Each brings one real decision
• We clarify the actual problem
• Separate facts from assumptions
• Map options and consequences
• Identify trade-offs
• Define the next move
Agentic AI & Platform Engineering Leadership in Financial Services - LBG
Hello and welcome to our joint **Cloud Platform Engineering London x Platform Engineering Leaders x Data & AI Leaders** meetup.
This special crossover event brings together platform engineers, data and AI leaders, architects, SREs, and technology executives exploring how agentic AI systems intersect with modern platform engineering in regulated financial services environments.
We are delighted to host this event at Lloyd's Banking Group in London.
**Speakers & Sessions:**
Panel: Agentic AI in the Enterprise
Speakers:
* Joseph Reeve, Growth, ElevenLabs
* Chris Parsonson, CEO, Solve Intelligence
* Joanna Crown, Director of Data, Moonpig
* Sultan AI Awar, Solutions Architect (Digital Natives) at Databricks
* Moderator: Ethan Sumner, Co-Founder & CEO at Community Stack
Session: Agentic AI in Practice: How LBG is delivering scalable business value through AI
Description: This session highlights LBG’s enterprise approach to scale Agentic AI, showing how the Group has built a scalable and safe foundation for Agentic AI through investments in data & AI platforms, governance frameworks, reusable agentic patterns, and AI upskilling for colleagues.
Speakers:
* Astitva Karunesh - AI Business Lead, AI CoE, Lloyds Banking Group
* Lara Vomfell - Senior Data & AI Scientist, AI CoE, Lloyds Banking Group
**Agenda:**
18:00 — Arrival and refreshments
18:30 — Welcome and introduction — Ethan Sumner
18:35 — Agentic AI in Practice - LBG
19:10 — Break
19:20 — Agentic AI in the Enterprise
20:00 — Close and networking
We are always keen to hear from:
• Speakers
• Hosts
• Sponsors
If you would like to speak, sponsor, or host a future event, please reach out to [Ethan Sumner](https://www.linkedin.com/in/ethansumner404/) via LinkedIn.
These communities form part of the [Community Stack](https://www.meetup.com/pro/generative-ai-uk-community/) ecosystem and follow the [Community Stack Code of Conduct](https://www.communitystack.io/code-of-conduct) and [Privacy Policy,](https://www.communitystack.io/privacy-policy) ensuring a respectful, inclusive, and welcoming environment for all attendees.
ONLINE | How to get paid users into your apps
If you are looking to build and monetise an app, then you are going to have to ask people to pay for it. But you don't have to feel like a pushy salesperson to do so.
In this **FREE ONLINE** webinar, I will be explaining the basics of **GO-TO-MARKET**, or how to give yourself the best chance of getting your product into people's hands.
Only ten spots available for this event, and you can register at [https://luma.com/pwvodr16](https://luma.com/pwvodr16)
* 5 mins for welcoming
* 20 mins presentation
* 30 mins Q&A
London Platform User Group (LOPUG), Wednesday 11th March, 6.30pm onwards
For our March meetup, we're back at the fabulous Accurx offices. We have two excellent talks lined up, the agenda will be:
* 6:30pm - arrive, drinks, networking
* 7:00pm - Welcome & Housekeeping
* 7:15pm - **Talk 1: "Devops 2014 Revisited - a Dozen Years of Noise and Confusion"**
It is 11th February 2014, a nervous Andy Burgin takes the stage at Agile Yorkshire and begins to share the current thinking from the burgeoning DevOps movement. Fast forward 12 years: DevOps is different — or is it? During a recent clear-out at chez Burgin, an old, forgotten laptop was discovered discarded between a box of floppy disks and a collection of old Computer Shopper magazines. While the laptop was no longer functional, a painstaking data recovery process rescued the files on its hard drive via a collection of old adaptors and half-working wires. Among the files saved from the Wakefield Council recycling centre was a copy of the very PowerPoint deck presented at that meetup 12 years earlier. But what was in this digital "time capsule"? What happened to DevOps? What did it become? Is it now a tool, a job title, or did something "bad" happen to it? Are the thoughts shared over a decade ago still relevant today? Join Andy as he looks at how we travelled from DevOps to Cloud, SRE, Platform Engineering, Team Topologies, Developer Experience, and VibeOps - Most importantly, we'll explore what the future of DevOps can learn from its past.
**Speaker:** Andy Burgin, Principal Platform Engineer @ Flutter UK and Ireland
*Andy is a Principal Platform Engineer at Flutter UK and Ireland. He considers himself a Kubernetes, AI and DevRel fettler, spending far too much of his spare time running software in containers that really shouldn't be. He is a small part of the organising team for DevOpsDays London and ran the DevOps meetup in Leeds for almost a decade hosting over 50 events. He’s attended and has spoken at a bunch of DevOps conferences and in his own words is an "all-round DevOps nuisance".*
* 7.45pm - food, more drinks & networking
* 8.00pm - **Talk** **2: "Navigating From Tension to Flow: A Human-Centred Guide to Overcoming Misalignment"**
Behind every stalled project, missed milestone, or unclear decision is a story of tension between what people want, what’s needed, and what’s possible. But tension isn’t failure. It’s feedback. This talk explores how to recognize and respond to tension using Team Topologies principles, flow first thinking, and a healthy dose of human insight.
We’ll show how organizational patterns, team boundaries, and interaction modes can either amplify or ease misalignment — and how trust, empathy, and bold conversation are just as important as structure, if not more so. Packed with real-world examples, this session blends organizational design with emotional intelligence to help you design for flow — and for people.
**Speakers:** Faye Benfield, Product Leader, Independent & Rich Allen, Fast Flow Facilitator @ Conjurer
*Faye Benfield is a Product Leader with over 15 years experience in product management, agile delivery and digital transformation. Specialising in helping organisations adopt product practices, Faye has a proven track record of embedding product teams, evolving ways of working, and aligning stakeholders to achieve strategic goals. Faye has held leadership roles, including Head of Product and Delivery at Parkinson’s UK and Head of Product at Comic Relief, where she spearheaded digital transformation initiatives and cultivated effective, people-centred teams. As a consultant at Armakuni, she combined hands-on coaching with practical tools and techniques to help clients navigate the complexities of product delivery, with a focus on balancing human dynamics and practical constraints.*
*Rich Allen is a sociotechnical architect, consultant and creator of User Needs Mapping, a practical technique for aligning teams around what matters. With over 20 years’ experience across software engineering, technical leadership, and organisational design, Rich helps organisations reduce friction, clarify boundaries, and improve flow by working outside-in from real user needs. He was a foundational contributor to the development and teaching of Team Topologies, helping shape the core materials now used in Team Topologies training and consulting worldwide. Rich is the author of User Needs Mapping: Aligning Teams Around What Matters.*
* 8.30pm onwards - drinks and networking.
So, please come and join us, we look forward to seeing you there.
The LOPUG team.
* Food and drinks provided
* Good time will be had by all
🎧 UK Black Women in Tech: Rewriting The Rules @Spotify 🎧
More Info and Sign Up:
https://luma.com/tcftv41z
Product is... prompt AND context engineering
Product Is… is BACK! After a break since April last year, we're excited to return in 2026 with lots of really interesting new themes and discussions to be had.
Let's start with one.
Here's the thing: you've been learning to write better prompts. But what if the prompt is the easy bit? What if context is where all the real work lives - and what if product people are the only ones who know how to do it properly?
Will Chan, Senior Product Manager at Risk Ledger and organiser of the AI Signals meetup, will lead us through why context engineering might be the most important skill you're not thinking about.
This event will be at Synechron's office on the seventh floor, 95 Gresham Street, London, EC2V 7NA. A massive thank you to Synechron for providing the venue.
Doors open at 6:30 PM, we kick off at 7:00 PM, and wrap up by 8:30 PM. Drinks and snacks will be provided. Come ready for proper discussion, new connections, and ideas worth thinking about.
\-\-\- THE THEME \- PRODUCT IS\.\.\. PROMPT AND CONTEXT ENGINEERING \-\-\-
For product managers, designers, and researchers, context is everything. Context is the currency that sets product people apart from other disciplines like development or commercial teams. Product professionals need to understand the widest range of contexts - from users to business to implementation.
As AI tools become embedded in our work, something interesting is emerging. To create effective prompts, context has to be injected accurately. But here's where things get fascinating - you may need to create prompts to create context to create prompts. It's turtles all the way down.
The more time you spend using AI in products, the more you find yourself going back in your process. You're creating prompts for the final prompt, for the output you need to be as effective as possible. You might spend longer creating the prompt than doing the work itself.
Join us as we explore what context engineering means for product people. How do you manage context in a rapidly changing world? What does this look like in a qualitative world where product people live in the grey area? Is context engineering the right term, or is it something else entirely? These are the questions we'll be tackling together.
\-\-\- THE SPEAKER \- WILL CHAN \-\-\-
Will is a Senior Product Manager at Risk Ledger and organiser of the AI Signals meetup. With over 10 years of experience building and scaling SaaS products in regulated, data-heavy environments, Will specialises in taking complex problems and turning them into products that drive measurable outcomes.
Across legaltech, telecoms, workforce management, and retail media, Will has led discovery through delivery for AI and automation initiatives, improving adoption, containment, conversion, and operational efficiency at scale. Most recently, he's owned AI strategy and delivery for customer-facing platforms, doubling feature adoption and embedding AI safely into real workflows rather than demos or prototypes.
Alongside delivery, Will enjoys developing product talent. He's coached PMs, shaped product playbooks, and led teams through clearer discovery, prioritisation, and execution practices. Will is passionate about practical AI application and real customer impact over hype.
\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\- ABOUT 'PRODUCT IS\.\.\.' \-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-
PMs, UX & UI designers, user researchers, developers - you like to dream big when it comes to digital products… Now it's time share your perspective!
'Product is…' grounds itself in informed, knowledgeable context and healthy conversation - vital ingredients to tech success. One keynote speaker sets the tone on a theme of less travelled subject matter before all attendees add their perspective during the second half of round table-style discussion.
Don't expect standard tech meetup fare like "How to improve your CV/Portfolio for that dream job at Facebook" or "How this new framework/approach will improve your workflow" - this meetup is food for the mind, but also a place to meet like-minded big-thinkers!
We welcome everyone who works in tech - EVERYONE has a valuable perspective that we learn from.
\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\- WHY WE CHARGE FOR TICKETS \-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-
We do not aim to make a profit from this meetup, our goal is to create healthy and interesting conversations, meet new people and make new connections. Speakers and the organising team give up their time free of charge to ensure the events are enjoyable for all.
A small charge is required for attendance - this allows the organisation team to cover overheads, including the Meetup.com subscription, plus food and drink for the evening.
eCommerce and Marketing Course in London | Build Your Online Store Free
**eCommerce & marketing course in London. Build your online store free. By Getshop Today, Tide Bank & Temu. In-person expert training.**
This isn't just a course. It's a launchpad and Opportunity. Learn how to build and market an online business, and if you decide to move forward, we'll set everything up for you - at no cost.
**Who's Teaching This?**
The people behind this course actually built the tools you'll use:
* **Getshop Today** \- a UK\-based eCommerce platform that builds your independent online store
* **Brand Backie** \- an AI marketing tool that helps you promote your products
We're not just instructors. We built the technology.
**In official partnership with:**
* **Tide Bank** \- providing smart banking solutions tailored for new eCommerce businesses\.
* **Temu** \- unlocking complimentary Temu shop access for 12–18 months to accelerate your launch\.
**Two Afternoons. Real Results.**
**Day 1 \- Saturday\, 4\-7 PM \| Intro Training** Learn the foundations: how online stores work, dropshipping vs. selling your own products, multi-platform selling, and how to market effectively. Includes live demos. At the end, you choose whether to take up the **Opportunity**.
**Day 2 \- Sunday\, 4\-7 PM \| Implementation Masterclass** For those who join the **Opportunity** only. We go deeper - advanced setup, marketing strategy, and a step-by-step launch plan. We start building your store live.
***
**The Opportunity**
By the end of Day 1, you’ll decide whether to take the leap. If you’re in, we’ll help you open a Tide business account right then and there - equipping you with the legal and financial foundation to launch and run your store immediately.
This unlocks 2 Options for you:
**Option 1 - Sell Your Own Products**
We build your independent store, set up your Temu seller account, and train you to manage and market everything using Brand Backie.
✅ 12 months free independent online store
✅ 18 months free Temu shop
✅ Full marketing training
**Option 2 - Dropshipping**
We build your store and integrate it with eBay and TikTok Shop, then train you to market and scale across platforms.
✅ 12 months free independent online store
✅ 12 months free Temu shop (no dropshipping here)
✅ eBay & TikTok Shop integration
✅ Full marketing training
***
**What You Get**
Proprietary UK-built technology, 12–18 months of tools for free, multi-platform setup, and direct access to the founders. A real business, built from day one - not theory.
**Bring your laptop. Basic computer skills needed. Arrive on time** \- sessions are step\-by\-step and build on each other\.
**Spaces are limited. Register now!**
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From Idea to Working App in Minutes: The Agentic Development with Amazon Kiro
Discover Kiro, AWS’s innovative development environment that adapts to your workflow. Whether you prefer specification-driven development or a more intuitive, vibe-based approach, Kiro empowers you to build applications your way.
In this session, speakers will explore Kiro’s core functionality and its evolution through re:Invent 2025, along with demonstrations of prompts used to create APIs, hooks, and steering documents.
In the latter part of the session, watch as we build a complete example from scratch, showcasing Kiro’s agentic AI workflow in action for spec-driven development and vibe coding.
What You'll Learn - Core Kiro concepts and development philosophy
Feature evolution: pre and post re:Invent 2025
Practical examples: API creation, hooks, and steering docs
Live coding demonstration with real-time problem solving
Who Should Attend - Developers, solutions architects, and technical leaders interested in modern AWS development tools and AI-assisted coding workflows.
**Speakers Bio:**
Matthew Jorat: Matthew Jorat is a Customer Solutions Manager at AWS with nearly three decades of expertise in AI, cloud transformation, migration, modernization, IT, technology, and business. His career spans infrastructure engineer, solutions architect, security auditor, customer success director, support and services director, and operations officer. He was an early adopter of AWS services as a customer, and his current role at AWS uniquely blends his technical and business skills as he partners with executive teams to translate strategic priorities into measurable business outcomes through cloud adoption, AI implementation, and operational excellence. Matt leads end-to-end AI initiatives for enterprise customers, identifying high-impact use cases and maintaining relentless focus on measurable ROI. He holds eight AWS certifications and serves as Adjunct Professor at Franklin University teaching cloud computing and AWS architecture. His expertise encompasses GenAI, agentic AI systems, migration, modernization, and optimization strategies that drive transformation at scale.
[https://www.linkedin.com/in/mattjorat/](https://www.linkedin.com/in/mattjorat/)
Girish Bhatia: Girish Bhatia is a seasoned technology delivery leader with deep expertise in cross-domain program management. He holds multiple AWS certifications, including AWS Certified Solutions Architect – Associate, AWS Certified Developer – Associate, and AWS Generative AI Practitioner, and is also an AWS Community Builder. Girish brings over two decades of experience in the information technology industry.
Throughout his career, Girish has led major technology-driven business transformation from modernizing on-premises applications to driving large-scale cloud migrations. His work includes API-based integration platforms, data-center and mainframe modernization, and enterprise cloud adoption initiatives.
Based in Columbus, Ohio, Girish works at a tech-forward fintech company. He is passionate about AWS serverless architectures, Generative AI and emerging cloud technologies. An avid learner and builder, he continues to explore and apply the latest innovations in AWS to help organizations accelerate their digital transformation.
https://www.linkedin.com/in/girishbhatia/[https://www.linkedin.com/in/girishbhatia/](https://www.linkedin.com/in/girishbhatia/)
**THANK YOU** *Franklin University* for hosting our meetup! To learn more about *Franklin University*, please visit their website: https://www.franklin.edu/
**DIRECTIONS**
Franklin University
Fisher Hall
300 E. Main St, Columbus, OH 43215
Map: https://maps.app.goo.gl/jxjBA2hUmS5qrvhq8
Parking is FREE! Please park in Lot C in front of Fisher Hall. See attached map.
NOTE: Map the address only. When mapping with Google Maps it may use the Fisher Hall at OSU, which is NOT correct.
**Want to sponsor the pizza and/or bar tab?**
Please contact me if you would like to sponsor this meetup's pizza and/or bar tab: angelo@mandato.com
Prototype, Play, and Build Workshops (In-Person @GameArena)!!!
This month, we are in-person at GameArena!!! We will also be joined by students and their games from [Shawnee State](https://www.shawnee.edu/game-design-programs)!
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Join us for our our monthly COGG Prototype and Play event @GameArena! Come to play and showcase your games.
We're back in the upper levels of the catwalk mezzanine area. It'll be packed with lots of camaraderie playing your game(s) and other's games on the 2nd floor as well as the 1st floor in the gaming room below the mezzanine.
Light snacks and water provided but you can buy food and drinks at the bar (alcoholic drink ID required).
[https://www.game-arena.co/menu](https://www.game-arena.co/menu)
**Attendees:**
Don't have a game to show? Not a problem! All are welcomed and invited from all ages and backgrounds. The more we can have to play test our games the better!
**Developers:**
Do you have a game that you would like to get critical feedback on? Would you like an excuse to work on a game with other talented artists, programmers, musicians, designers, and writers? Digital, table-top, non-experienced developers, and the like are welcomed! We'll provide signage for your game to help others learn more about your work. Wifi, outlets, tables, and seats (though standing tables also) are available.
Come to the Prototype and Play workshop to collaborate and meet local game developers for an evening of epic and raw game play fun! Play works-in-progress, show off your own game, work with others to add polish to a game, or even lend your talents to other fellow developers.
Can use South Garage at the Gateway with a $5 voucher on your way out.
75 E 11th Ave, Columbus, OH 43201
[https://maps.app.goo.gl/UwgveUYG37Jy7RtS9](https://maps.app.goo.gl/UwgveUYG37Jy7RtS9)
If you have any questions or comments, as always, feel free to reach out to us at [info@thecogg.com!](http://info@thecogg.com!/)
DoJo (Informal Python Meeting)
**New Dojo Location!**
**Draft Day Columbus**
1130 Dublin Road
Columbus, OH 43215
We're going to try a new dojo location for a few weeks and see how it works
Dojos are informal Python group study sessions where everyone interested in Python gathers to learn about Python, help others with Python, or just hang out. Everyone is welcome from Python beginners to experts. Bringing a laptop is encouraged (we'll have extension cords and power strips). If there's something you want to learn leave a comment on this invite so we can plan ahead.
We're looking for topic suggestions and people interested in presenting at our monthly meetings. To this end we've set up a survey form at [https://docs.google.com/forms/d/15eBKF1nQQ2XS5gzD4rvhVRHMBEj7lJtHuA9wXupS3Uc](https://docs.google.com/forms/d/15eBKF1nQQ2XS5gzD4rvhVRHMBEj7lJtHuA9wXupS3Uc)
Sip & Read: *Founder Edition* Meetup: Book/Venue TBD
Calling all founders, CEOs, lawyers, doctors, and entrepreneurs to join our special *Founder Edition* of Sip & Read meetup event. Let's sip on fine wine and discuss our first book **The 5AM Club- Own Your Morning Elevate Your Life, by Robin Sharma**. We will pair this book with our favorite wine at **Wine on High** and engage in thought-provoking discussions on startup businesses and entrepreneurship, and network with like-minded individuals in a cozy book club setting.
Come prepared to discuss this month's book. At the end of each book club meeting, we will take next book and venue suggestions from the participants for the next meeting.
Whether you are a book lover, women entrepreneur, or a content creator, this event is perfect for sharing ideas and insights with other funders and founders in the entrepreneurial world. Don't miss out on this unique opportunity to connect, learn, and grow together. Sign up now to reserve your spot!
*Fun fact! This meetup was established in 2015 and had over 1,000 members. I had to shut down operations while attending law school, but we're back!!*
Building Agents with Microsoft Foundry
We will show a variety of methods for building agents that run in Microsoft Foundry. This covers the different types of agents: Prompt, Multi, and Hosted, as well as the development lifecycle using evals and traces.
Speak Easy (Storytelling)
The topic for March is "Our Bodies, Ourselves"
Speak Easy: true stories, told live.
The idea is simple: an audience, an open microphone, and great stories. Hilarious, gripping, poignant- it's up to you. Audiences are invited to come to listen or come to tell as folks from all corners of Columbus offer their stories live on stage! Held at Wild Goose Creative's warm, intimate space, this night of tales occurs on the 3rd Thursday of every month. Doors open at 6:30 pm, show starts at 7:00 pm. Please arrive early if you want to tell, as we generally only have room for a limited number of tellers, and the sign-up sheet has a tendency to fill up fast.
Formed around the idea that people need stories--they're what hold and draw us together--SpeakEasy celebrates the strangeness and commonness of being human. And in a world of smartphones, Facebook, Twitter, and more . . . it gives people a real, breathing, in-person way to connect.
The night is geared for true stories of all kinds, taking the best tales told around kitchen tables, in darkened pubs, on the street corner, and at late-night parties and giving them an audience. Speak Easy is also a great outlet for performers, writers, and artists looking to share their favorite stories and perfect their skills. We strongly encourage tellers to please tell the story rather than read it so we keep within the spirit of good storytelling and stay engaged with the audience. All are welcome. Hang around after the show for a drink and build community!
Code Anywhere by Talking to your Phone
Drake Lundstrom is presenting:
Code Anywhere by Talking to your Phone
Abstract:
Have you heard the trend of people deploying code anywhere from checkout lines to doctors' offices? In this talk, you will learn how to talk to your phone and have an app on Azure to show your friend 5 minutes later. The basic DevOps tools you already know, plus a little bit of AI magic, are all you need!
If you want to follow along, the demo will be in Azure with GitHub Actions and GitHub Copilot, and you can have it set up on your phone by the end of the session. Just come in with an Azure account and a GitHub repo.
Join us for pizza, drinks, and networking @ Improving's office. Doors open at 5:45.





















