Financial Technology

IMPORTANT: for this event please make sure you've RSVP'd at [https://luma.com/4usyy9d7](https://luma.com/4usyy9d7) to see the address and additional information. # Spring is Coming! ​Some winters are for hibernating, but this isn’t one of them. ​ [Station Alpha](https://stationalpha.org/) and [Founder Institute](https://fi.co/), in collaboration with Startup DC, are partnering on this public meetup celebrating fresh ideas, new beginnings, and the unstoppable energy of the startup ecosystem in the National Capital Region. With generous support from [Unstuck Labs](https://unstucklabs.com/), this event brings together founders, builders, investors, operators, and the startup-curious for an evening that feels like the first warm day after a long winter - optimistic, electric, and full of possibility. \* ​Expect great connections with people who are actually building things, not just talking about them. \* Expect lightning pitches from awesome startups moving fast and thinking big. \* Expect conversations that start casually and turn into collaborations, partnerships, or maybe even the next breakout company. ​Spring is when things grow, and startups are no different. Come meet the people shaping what’s next in the National Capital Region - and maybe plant a few seeds of your own. ## ​**Agenda** * ​5:30 – 6:45 \| Networking * ​6:45 – 7:15 \| Quick welcome\, announcements and lightning pitches * ​7:15 \- 8:30 \| More networking ## ​**​​Food&Bev** ​Food and beverages will be provided, thanks to our generous partners [Founder Institute](https://fi.co/) and [Unstuck Labs](https://www.unstucklabs.com/)! ## ​Parking and Transportation * ​Street parking is limited * ​There is a lot of garage parking nearby, e.g. 1200n N Garfield St, Arlington, VA 22201 **for <$10/day** * ​Unstuck Labs’ office is located across the street from the Clarendon Metro station on the Silver and Orange Lines (two stops from the Blue Line and three stops from DC). There is also a separate entrance to the building directly from the Metro station. ## ​About Station Alpha ​[Station Alpha](https://stationalpha.org/) is an angel group built for founders and investors who believe the best outcomes are engineered - together. We source standout opportunities, educate our members, and convene in-person to help great companies become inevitable. ​We are global and industry agnostic — evaluating every opportunity on its own merits. We back differentiated companies with defensible advantages and a credible path to scale. ## ​**About Founder Institute** ​The **[Founder Institute](https://fi.co/)** is the world’s most proven network to turn ideas into fundable startups, and startups into global businesses. Since 2009, our structured accelerator programs have helped over 8,900 entrepreneurs raise over 2BN in funding. Based in Silicon Valley and with chapters across 100 countries, our mission is to empower communities of talented and motivated people to build impactful technology companies worldwide. ## ​**​Huge thanks to our sponsors, partners, and organizers!** * ​[Unstuck Labs](https://www.unstucklabs.com/)! * ​[Station Alpha](https://stationalpha.org/) * ​[Founder Institute](https://fi.co/) * ​[Craftus](https://craftus.com/)

**West Coast Swing with Lara Deni** **Where:** Deni Danzco Studio - 3408 Annandale Rd, Falls Church, VA ​ \*Max 16 people per class **Monday** 7:00pm - Level 2 (Novice) 7:45pm- Drills/Musicality/Technique - Levels 2-4 8:30pm - Level 3 /4 (Intermediate/Advanced) ​ **Thursday** 7:00pm - Level 1 (no experience/beginner) **Cost: *$74/month*** \- Three classes per month in any one level ***$199/monthly subscription*** \- Unlimited Class Monthly Membership of any level \- cancel anytime **Explanation of Levels** * Level 1 (No Experience/Beginner) - 6 count Rhythm, Left and Right Side passes ), Starter Step, Connection, and a few other basics * Level 2 (Novice -Beyond Basics) - See 6 month Syllabus on the website * Level 3 /4 (Intermediate/Advanced) - Turn techniques, Leaders Turns, Hammerlocks, Re-directs, Sling Shots, Whip Variations, and so much more. The moves and information learned in this class is endless. You will not be bored! :o) * Drills/Technique/ Musicality (Levels 2-4) ​- Each month will be concentrating on one of the three mentioned. We will dive deep into that area of dance, so you walk away with a better understanding, more knowledge, and musicality to enhance and make your dance more fun! Definitely a class not to miss! ###### Q&A * Classes are 45min * Refunds offered only 48 hours before class/class series starts * You can make-up a class with a class that is of a lower level and running during your current series class time period ​

7:45 PM – Beginner Bachata 8:30 PM – Beginner Salsa This Class is for absolute beginner and up. [Book Your Class Here. ](https://crowndancestudio.com/group-classes/) Choose the date. then Click "book now." $18 Per Person for 1 Class $25 Per Person for 2 Classes Do I need Partner? NO Is it a Series? No. But we review similar materials on the consistent basic. Can I drop-in? Yes. Membership & Class pass available for your better growth and progress. [www.crowndancestudio.com](https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.crowndancestudio.com%2F%3Ffbclid%3DIwAR2zhtlRxGhExkt_lh7UddK-BeWO8Qs1-EOyoeOGv-J3T0iFQh1Mcj2yiCA_aem_AcwNtPvUfkDahcWu-o_1owBvR7kH5cPtGKRaZN0cwvsy7zAKFAW0zv11GyJZeHFK3sXTqcwkHzYjvnhIdj_bZzn9&h=AT03tOQ7TaMbm8BWrbY5GVWwm5AUCbspa2tH6WSZj2P19MdXsK-Ih8hbVRlM9y0i0DuAMcN1QoF5tRzsQ-8aq-F0hneUu0Qayohk--xGdi4ODLmv7dW1y3B0veXR6xDUMxTNH1ui5a1qQMb1Cw&__tn__=q&c[0]=AT23QwS2XzF8mb_UChFebvxb_ZwrfUwkBaJHK5_0MHCyY9o9eHFqWNQPS2IJpCgWWS7KJfldFCk2N1JPAXQQGplryaicqsu-5Hpj0tsphsZ3balIXhHgvlOSxKBXhiUaH8GLAXguklvbM9QOeUG2qAJKdQJ6) Address: 2820 Dorr Avenue Fairfax, VA 22031 See less

\*\* Tickets are $71.50 ($65 + tax) and can be purchased [here.](https://www.exploretock.com/barcelona-wine-bar-14th-street/event/594770/terroir-uncorked) \*\* UNCORKED is a walk-around tasting where we open 30 different bottles from our list—a chance to try the cellar of our award-winning wine program. The wines are paired with seasonal paella and passed tapas. Each time we host, we dive into a different theme. This time, we’re uncorking terroir. Terroir is a French term that refers to the natural environment in which a wine is made. This includes everything– but most often focuses on soil, topography and climate, ultimately producing a bottled sense of place. Our 400+ bottle program deeply focuses on terroir, becoming a collection of places that can be experienced through a pour. For this UNCORKED, we’re opening 30 wines that we think are some of the clearest expressions of place out there. We can’t wait to share these truly transportive bottles with you.

Experienced instructors lead a fun, inspiring session of energy healing and dance, merging ancient earth wisdom with performing art for a transformative journey. Students explore slow rhythmic movements for healing potential. Afterward, feel profound rejuvenation, unlocking your vibrant life force within and in the group. Free if you live in Fairfax County. If you live outside Fairfax County, free for your first class! No dance on government holidays.

Tally Ho Toastmasters meets regularly on the 1st and 3rd Monday each month. Our friendly club offers great opportunities to improve communication and leadership skills while providing excellent evaluations by the members. Learn more on our website at http://tallyho.toastmastersclubs.org/. Please, do not get discouraged by the number of members signed up on this MeetUp. Most of our active members do not use MeetUp to RSVP. We usually have around 10-15 members attending our meetings. Come check it out yourself!

No sign\-ups required \| All levels welcome \| 21\+ If you're looking for a casual game of chess in a fun atmosphere, this event is for you! Members range from beginner to master level, and games are played both with and without time controls. There are dozens of players each week, with only a fraction of the participants registering on meetup. This event is held at a bar, the Board Room, in Washington, DC, and is intended for 21+ players. We meet upstairs, on the mezzanine. Upon arrival, fill out a name tag and indicate your relative skill, to facilitate match-ups. Chess sets and boards are provided. We don't have club clocks, but most people use the Chess Clock app from Chess.com to play timed games.

Join the Bitcoin District Book Club! We meet every month to explore new and exciting rabbit holes by reading books that are popular with bitcoiners. Join us for a deep dive into Jeff Booth’s The Price of Tomorrow: Why Deflation Is the Key to an Abundant Future. In this eye-opening session, we'll explore the collision between exponential technological growth and our aging economic systems. Booth argues that while technology is naturally deflationary—making things cheaper and more abundant—our current financial world is built on a requirement for inflation and ever-increasing debt. We’ll discuss how this "clash of worlds" creates social polarization and why embracing a new economic framework is the only way to ensure a peaceful, prosperous future. Whether you are interested in the mechanics of technology or the future of sound money, this book provides a vital roadmap for the era of Bitcoin. Buy the book on [Amazon](https://a.co/d/0iNJamvq) **Event Notes:** * Discussion Starters: We'll have a few key questions to kick us off regarding technology and debt, but feel free to come with your own insights. * Future Reads: Let us know if you have recommendations for future book club selections! We’ll add them to the list posted on our website. * Afterwards: Feel free to join us at Pubkey after the meeting ends to hang out and grab some food! **Getting There:** * 🔴🟢🟡 Gallery Place/Chinatown + 2 min walk * Parking: Street & garage parking available nearby

​Bitcoin mining today looks very different from what it was a decade ago. What began largely as a hardware race has evolved into a complex global industry shaped by energy markets, infrastructure development, and new demands on data centers. Companies that adapt to this new reality don’t just survive. They position themselves to lead the next phase of the industry. 👉 [RSVP on Luma](https://luma.com/cmlndtin) In this panel, executives from publicly traded mining companies will discuss how their strategies reflect this new frontier. From hardware innovation and home mining to heat reuse, large-scale energy infrastructure, and the growing intersection with AI and high-performance computing. The conversation will explore how the industry has changed, where it is headed, and why these companies remain committed to building in Bitcoin. **Guest Speakers** * ​James Cheng (CFO, Canaan Inc.): A seasoned finance leader with over 20 years of experience at Fortune 500 companies, James oversees the financial strategy for a major NASDAQ-listed hardware pioneer, focusing on investor relations and debt/equity financing. * ​Darcy Daubaras (CFO, HIVE Digital Technologies): A strategic financial expert and Corporate Director, Darcy leads global growth for HIVE, specializing in public company regulatory reporting and the intersection of crypto mining with high-performance computing. * ​Elizabeth Frei Duchek (Government Relations, Bitdeer): With over 15 years of experience in government affairs and policy analysis, Elizabeth leads government relations for Bitdeer (NASDAQ: BTDR). Her background in appropriations and public policy brings a critical perspective to how regulation, infrastructure, and energy policy intersect with the future of Bitcoin mining. 👉 [RSVP on Luma](https://luma.com/cmlndtin)​ **About the Bitcoin District Initiative** This event was organized by The Bitcoin District Initiative, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit working to build a grassroots Bitcoin circular economy in Washington, DC through education, business onboarding, and community outreach programs. If you’d like to get involved or support the Initiative, visit [bitcoindistrictinitiative.org](https://bitcoindistrictinitiative.org/).

Curious about Bitcoin but don’t know where to start? The headlines say one thing, the charts say another—but what’s the actual deal? Swing by PubKey DC for Bitcoin Office Hours. John Balkam (CMO at [Sovreign](https://www.sovreign.io/)) will be on hand to cut through the noise and answer the questions you’ve been hesitant to ask, such as: * What is Bitcoin, what does it mean to be truly scarce, and why is Bitcoin fundamentally different than all other cryptos? * How do you actually buy it? And do you really have to buy a whole coin? (Spoiler: You can start with as little as $1). * What is a wallet, and what does it mean to actually own your money through self-custody? Drop in any time between 4 and 6 PM and look around for John, likely wearing a SATS hat, sitting at one of the dining tables. **Getting There:** * ​🔵🟠⚪ Federal Triangle + 10 min walk * ​🟢🟡 Archives-Navy Memorial-Penn Quarter + 2 min walk * ​🔴 Judiciary Square or Metro Center + 8 min walk * ​There is limited street parking and several nearby paid garages Not financial advice. Do your own research.

Join the Midnight Blockchain Group - DC/MD/VA for an engaging meetup diving into the Cardano and Midnight ecosystems. Whether you're a seasoned blockchain enthusiast or just curious about decentralized tech, this casual gathering is your chance to connect, learn, and network in the heart of DC. What to Expect: Kick off with a brief overview of Cardano, a proof-of-stake blockchain known for its research-driven approach, sustainability, and scalability, and Midnight Network, its privacy focused partner chain! **How to Find the Group:** * Head to Treehouse at 411 New York Avenue NE – it's easy to spot in the Ivy City neighborhood. * Look for our group in the main lounge area * Parking is available nearby, and it's Metro-accessible via the NoMa-Gallaudet U station (Red Line). This meetup is free and open to all, stop by to learn more about how Cardano and Midnight are revolutionizing Governance, privacy and utility in Web3. See you there! 🚀

Join us for Career Night to learn how our agency works, what we do, and how you can earn part-time or full-time income helping families with financial literacy and protection.

Join us at Morning Consult for a BCC Tech Talk. Charles Shirer will do live demonstrations of phishing and how attackers are utilizing AI for phishing attacks.

Join N2 Ventures NYC Private Investor Dinners Event, an exclusive, invite-only evening hosted by N2 Ventures designed for a curated group of investors seeking meaningful dialogue and strategic connection. This private gathering brings together experienced allocators, operators, and partners for candid conversations around capital deployment, scalable growth strategies, and building strategic partnerships across high-potential industries including manufacturing, food, and healthcare. RSVP here [https://lnkd.in/g5M7PGgq](https://lnkd.in/g5M7PGgq). Approved attendees will receive official confirmation via email within 24–48 hours. To inquire about attendance, please contact: [rsvp@fundsnmotion.com](mailto:rsvp@fundsnmotion.com) Sophia Akom [sophia@fundsnmotion.com](mailto:sophia@fundsnmotion.com)

Is your business taking more of your time than you would like? [Rob Young](https://www.linkedin.com/in/cinci-robyoung/) principal at [Stage 3 Group](https://www.linkedin.com/company/stage-3-group/), hosts this workshop series and is the author of Stage 3 Success. * Provides a framework and a playbook for leaders of emerging businesses * Reviews business management tools and techniques for scaling and maturing a business * How to recognize and leverage stories hidden in financial statements * How to implement financial and operational controls and use leading indicators to spot trouble before it occurs * How to manage your time for maximum effect * How to deal with nonperforming employees * How to create standard operating procedures throughout your organization Four sessions will include two hours of content and an optional 90-minute hands-on lab. Reserve your spot via this link: https://clintonvilleba.com/calendar/#!event/2026/3/20/chaos-to-clarity-to-control ($200 for non-CABA members.)

Christians in Tech is a community at the intersection of faith and technology. Our meetups are designed to spark meaningful conversations, promote knowledge sharing, and encourage growth—both in your career and your spiritual walk with God. Whether you're an experienced professional or just starting your tech journey, CIT welcomes you. Our Website [https://linktr.ee/citcbus](https://linktr.ee/citcbus) Sponsors and Partners * Improving (Venue Sponsor) * Bethel World Prayer Center (Fiscal Sponsor) * Fruits & Roots (Coffee Partner)

NFT's are here to stay folks! This is a group for like minded people interested in understanding, leveraging, using, creating for, profiting from, trading too i suppose, NFT's.. everything around them, complexity, fear and exploits, best practices and more. **PLUS** This group will talk AI ART tools, techniques, artists, video, audio, prototypes and more in the AI assisted production space- ART specifically, but we can get into any aspect of some of the cooler things happening in AI in general.

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

Christians in Tech is a community at the intersection of faith and technology. Our meetups are designed to spark meaningful conversations, promote knowledge sharing, and encourage growth—both in your career and your spiritual walk with God. Whether you're an experienced professional or just starting your tech journey, CIT welcomes you. Our Website [https://linktr.ee/citcbus](https://linktr.ee/citcbus) Sponsors and Partners * Improving (Venue Sponsor) * Bethel World Prayer Center (Fiscal Sponsor) * Fruits & Roots (Coffee Partner)

**Important time note:** Please plan on arriving between 5:30 and 6:00 as the elevators lock after 6 and you'll need to message us and we'll need to come get you. The building address is 4450 Bridge Park The entrance is 6620 Mooney St, Suite 400 **Abstract** TBD **YouTube Link** TBA

Builders, creators, architects, admins, consultants - come one, come all. This one's for you. We're bringing a little friendly competition to the Columbus ServiceNow community while highlighting the cool things people have built on the platform. Five presenters will take the stage to showcase something they've built, solved, designed, or imagined on the ServiceNow platform - and a panel of judges (plus YOU, our amazing audience) will score them live. So basically, America's Got Talent but make it ServiceNow's Got Talent. Bring a notepad if you'd like 'cause you'll definitely be learning something new. Each presenter gets 10 minutes max to wow the crowd with: • A demo • A real-world business solution • A bold idea • A UX transformation • Or a creative use of the platform Judging Criteria: 🏆 Business Value 🚀 Innovation ✨ User Experience This event is about celebrating ideas, sharing knowledge, and showing how ServiceNow can drive both business impact and meaningful user value. Come learn. Come support. Come get inspired. Refreshments and bites will be provided. And maybe next time… you’ll be on stage.