Startup Funding

Pitch Labs is happy to partner with George Mason University's Computer Science Graduate Student Association to host a tech talk for anyone interested in entrepreneurship, AI, and more. Damon Feldman, co-founder of Advocara, will be joining us to share his experiences in a fireside-chat styled event. **About the Event** This fireside chat will bring together students, founders, and innovators for an engaging conversation at the intersection of AI, entrepreneurship, and real‑world problem‑solving. Damon will share insights from: * Building and scaling AI‑driven products * Navigating the startup landscape from idea to execution * Lessons learned from leading engineering teams and deploying mission‑critical systems * Opportunities for CS students in emerging tech and founder ecosystems The session will include a moderated discussion, audience Q&A, and opportunities to connect with fellow students, founders, and members of the DMV startup community. **About the Speaker** Damon Feldman is the President and Co‑Founder of Advocara, an AI‑based healthcare navigation startup working to bring transparency to medical billing. His career spans leadership roles in customer engineering, large‑scale data integration, and complex system design across healthcare, government, and enterprise technology. Damon holds a Ph.D. in Computer Science and has led engineering initiatives for organizations of various sizes and industries

**RESTON AREA ROCKERS** We meet 2x/mo, once in-person and once on Zoom. We meet for lunch on the 2nd Friday 11:30 to 1:00 pm at various locations in the Reston area. We meet on Zoom on the 4th Friday 9:30 to 10:30 am. Visit https://teamnetwork.affnetz.us/events for updates and details. NOTE: We welcome visitors, however, we are an "Exclusive Business Category" Networking group, therefore we vet all guests. Questions? Call Curt at 301-260-0060 Thank You! You can find the Reston Area Rockers and other Team Network groups and events at https://www.teamnetwork.com. Our group is made up of local area business people who wish to grow their business by developing relationships that grow partnerships and increase business through collaborative problem solving and education and introductions in a unique and stimulating environment. If you want to get on top of the latest thinking and hottest topics, and turn this intelligence and collaboration into game changing results for your business please join us. For guests, the first two meetings are free, then joining is required.

New players are always welcome to come try it out! What you need: A bathing suit. Preferably something light and tight. We have extra gear for new players. But if you have your own pair of flippers, a snorkeling mask, and a snorkel then bring them along. Please bring this signed and completed form to practice: https://cdn1.sportngin.com/attachments/document/c7dc-2321473/USOA_Waiver_2022-07-07.pdf Unless you are already a member of USOA: https://www.underwater-society.org/page/show/4284471-usoa-registration To find us: You can tell the front desk that you are here for underwater hockey and they will let you in for free. You can ask them for help finding the pool. If no one is at the front desk just walk past it and there will be a set of stairs on the left. Take the stairs and take a right at the bottom of the stairs. The men's and women's locker rooms are straight ahead, and you will need to go through them to access the pool deck. Once you are out on the pool deck you will be exactly where we practice. Agenda: First 15 minutes: Arrival at the pool, getting gear from the shared gear bin, dividing into two teams, getting gear on. Minutes 15-30: Getting in the water, teaching any new players the basics Minutes 20-70: Scrimmage/practice. Minutes 70-75: Putting away club gear, putting the lane lines back in place, clearing the pool deck. (optional) afterwards: Go to a local restaurant for food, drinks, and socializing.

**###PLEASE NOTE: Even if you RSVP on Meetup, you will need to grab a ticket here https://www.skipthesmalltalk.com/store/skip-the-small-talk-night-at-metrobar-dc-friday-march-13-2026 in order to attend###** This event is cross-posted so Meetup RSVPs won't accurately reflect the actual number of attendees; typically there are around 30-40 people in attendance. **What's It Like?** Do you wish you could have more of the kinds of conversations you have late at night where for some reason, you feel safe talking about the things you actually care about? Bring your friends (or come by yourself- most people do!) and spend your Friday night at an event where you know everyone else is there for the same reason. We'll be offering 'big talk' conversational prompts on them to get you started, and we'll have lots of structure to make sure that you actually talk to people and that it's not awkward. There will be drinks and snacks available for sale! **There is a 1 drink/food item minimum purchase for this event,** so please keep that in mind. **Check-in** for this event will begin around **6:45 pm**. Please do your best to arrive before 7:00 pm so we can begin as close to on time as possible. Skip the Small Talk is dedicated to providing an inclusive, welcoming environment for everyone. Check out our safety policy here: tinyurl.com/ststSafety Please see our event [page](https://www.skipthesmalltalk.com/store/skip-the-small-talk-night-at-metrobar-dc-friday-march-13-2026) for more accessibility info. **Ready to Skip the Small Talk With Us?** **[Grab a ticket](https://www.skipthesmalltalk.com/store/skip-the-small-talk-night-at-metrobar-dc-friday-march-13-2026)** since entry is on a first come first serve basis and we tend to sell out in advance for these-- once we are out of tickets, we will NOT be able to accommodate folks at the door. metrobar has lots of other fun events going on, too. Feel free to check them out **[here](https://metrobardc.com)**! If you want to be the first to hear about our events before we sell out, feel free to join our mailing list at [Skip the Small Talk Mailing List Sign-Up](https://sendfox.com/skipthesmalltalk) **###PLEASE NOTE: Even if you RSVP on Meetup, you will need to grab a ticket here https://www.skipthesmalltalk.com/store/skip-the-small-talk-night-at-metrobar-dc-friday-march-13-2026 in order to attend###** This event is cross-posted so Meetup RSVPs won't accurately reflect the actual number of attendees; typically there are around 30-40 people in attendance.

It is irresistible, to enjoy a Spanish and Portuguese convo with appetizers, glass of wine and rail drinks. ***GRAB A DRINK AND YOU ARE ALL SET TO FLEX YOUR LANGUAGE CAPACITY. YOU NEED TO GET AT LEAST A DRINK OR FOOD :) To get the event going and show support. We know that you like our events. P.S. : We have non-alcoholic drinks as well.*** We have a tiny venue and we hit capacity often and early arrival is suggested. We have the discretion to decide entry. HOW IT WORKS : We will try to assign tables for each represented languages and will direct attendees to their respective tables accordingly. Rules to abide : 1. Event is free and 21+ (bring ID). 2. Be respectful to your counterparts and give them a chance to exchange with others as well. 3. We all are native speakers of one or two languages and be willing to help others and try to accommodate as much as possible. 4. If you don't speak the other person's required language, LEAVE THEM ALONE. 5. Rude or aggressive members are removed from the group at an organizers discretion. 6. This is a face-to-face language exchange event. DO NOT try to arrange an online meeting, by using the comment box or direct message. 7. Most of our members complained about people writing in the comment box. Since it sends notification to all attendees. If you have any questions, send a message to the organizers. Don't write in the comment box. 8. We have ZERO TOLERANCE for solicitation. We don't allow anyone to run their own agenda at the Event. If you are interested to promote/sponsor/collaborate; contact us via ([info@merevents.com](http://info@merevents.com)). 9. When you get there, we will greet you and take you to your respective group. 10. Don't be shy of your local languages. We have diplomates assigned to different countries, who would love to practice your languages. 11\. Be patient for the first 30 minutes\, up until we form your respective language group\. 12\. We will have a registration station and check you in\. 13\. This is mainly a social for Intermediate/Advanced/Native Speakers\. It is not as such to learn a language\. Beginners\, if you want to learn a language\, reach out to us \(info@merevents\.com\)\. We have a school and will arrange you a class\. ***AFTER THE EXCHANGE, WE HIT THE DANCE FLOOR! BRING YOUR DANCING SHOES, WE WILL DANCE THE NIGHT AWAY!***

**Geek Nite Out Presents Kids Cheesy Line Reading Show!** Ever wanted to be an actor? Come share your talent with some of the corniest, cheesiest, most absurd lines ever uttered by kids from movies and television. Presented at Awesomecon Jr. Now this is podracing! This panel is in the Awesome Con Jr. Movement Zone Booth #442. **An Awesome Con pass is required for entry.** You can purchase them here: [https://awesome-con.com/badges/](https://awesome-con.com/badges/) We will also be hosting the Cheesy Line Reading Contest again this year! You can learn more about it here: [https://www.meetup.com/geekniteout/events/313586642/](https://www.meetup.com/geekniteout/events/313586642/) **GNO at Awesome Con:** [https://www.meetup.com/geekniteout/events/313368484/](https://www.meetup.com/geekniteout/events/313368484/)

Get all your green clothes out bitches, your temporary Irish tatoos, green face paint, green tutus, green Mardi Gras beads, fake red beards with green suspenders, and your Irish baseball hat and come CHILL OUT by the fire pit or DANCE & MINGLE with some cool as F*ck people!* WHAT TO BRING: Bring some type of app or dessert to share! BEVERAGES: BYOB DRINKING: You can bring your own booze (if you drink), just no drinking and driving like some ignorant person from the 80s and 90s, when Uber didn’t exist! 5 USELESS FUN FACTS ABOUT ST. PATRICK’S DAY (taken directly from https://www.history.com/.amp/news/st-patricks-day-facts) 1. The Real St. Patrick Was Born in Britain Much of what is known about St. Patrick's life has been interwoven with folklore and legend. Historians generally believe that St. Patrick, the patron saint of Ireland, was born in Britain (not Ireland) near the end of the 4th century. At age 16 he was kidnapped by Irish raiders and sold as a slave to a Celtic priest in Northern Ireland. After toiling for six years as a shepherd, he escaped back to Britain. He eventually returned to Ireland as a Christian missionary. 1. There Were No Snakes Around for St. Patrick to Banish from Ireland Among the legends associated with St. Patrick is that he stood atop an Irish hillside and banished snakes from Ireland—prompting all serpents to slither away into the sea. In fact, research suggests snakes never occupied the Emerald Isle in the first place. There are no signs of snakes in the country’s fossil record. 1. Leprechauns Are Likely Based on Celtic Fairies Leprechaun is commonly associated with St. Patrick’s Day. The original Irish name for these figures of folklore is “lobaircin,” meaning “small-bodied fellow.” Belief in leprechauns likely stems from Celtic belief in fairies— tiny men and women who could use their magical powers to serve good or evil. 1. The Shamrock Was Considered a Sacred Plant The shamrock, a three-leaf clover, has been associated with Ireland for centuries. It was called the “seamroy” by the Celts and was considered a sacred plant that symbolized the arrival of spring. According to legend, St. Patrick used the plant as a visual guide when explaining the Holy Trinity. 1. Corned Beef and Cabbage Was an American Innovation The meal that became a St. Patrick’s Day staple across the country—corned beef and cabbage—was an American innovation. While ham and cabbage were eaten in Ireland, corned beef offered a cheaper substitute for impoverished immigrants. Irish-Americans living in the slums of lower Manhattan in the late 19th century and early 20th, purchased leftover corned beef from ships returning from the tea trade in China. The Irish would boil the beef three times—the last time with cabbage—to remove some of the brine. Read more about Irish-American traditions here. ANOTHER USELESS BULLET TO SEE IF YOU READ THIS FAR: Damn, details must be important to you! That’s sooooo not me, but I love you detailed f*cker! See you at the FAF killer St. Patrick’s day PARTY! And the following week we have the dress up for the wrong party party, where we will celebrate our cohost who is the kindest, most generous, loving fun person on earth, Amanda‘s 50th birthday. This is going be super FUNNNN. Why are you not signing up for that as well?!!! Get on it. Let’s get your head in the game now brah…it’s 2026 the year of the fire horse! Xo, Janine, Your HAPPY Host Cell: 202-271-0922 *This event will sell out so sign up now and out it on your must do Calendar!!!

The Runstr District 5K is a charity race with a twist. Your finish decides which cause wins. Pick a team. Run your best. The charity with the most runners in the top 100 takes home $500. 🎟️ Tickets: [https://runsignup.com/Race/DC/Washington/Runstr5k](https://runsignup.com/Race/DC/Washington/Runstr5k) 🎫 You can also [buy a ticket with Bitcoin here](https://www.satlantis.io/events/1571/RUNSTR%3A-DISTRICT-5k) **Choose Your Charity** * Human Rights Foundation * ALS Network * Chimes International **Race Day** 📅 March 15, 2026 at 7:00 AM 📍 Haines Point, DC 🏃‍♀️‍➡️ Flat, scenic loop along the Potomac 🎶 After Party Brunch at [Pubkey DC](https://www.pubkey.bar/dc/home) with LIVE MUSIC and awards. 🎟️ Tickets: [https://runsignup.com/Race/DC/Washington/Runstr5k](https://runsignup.com/Race/DC/Washington/Runstr5k) 🎫 You can also [buy a ticket with Bitcoin here](https://www.satlantis.io/events/1571/RUNSTR%3A-DISTRICT-5k) [RUNSTR](https://www.satlantis.io/) is a free, privacy-first fitness app that turns your workouts into charitable impact, complete a workout, support a cause you care about.

Join us for a deeply relaxing and rejuvenating Sound Bath in sacred space every 3rd SUNDAY of the MONTH at 4:00PM at the Workhouse Arts Center in the beautiful McGuireWoods Gallery Bldg. 16 9518 Workhouse Way, Lorton, VA 22079 ***Bring a mat, blanket and pillow for your comfort laying down.*** For Tickets ($35/person) sign up at the **events calendar** of the Workhouse Arts Center: https://www.workhousearts.org/calendar and select Sound Bath at the 3rd Sunday of the month.

Join us on zoom call zoom from your phone free at 1929 436 2866; meeting id is 896 0197-4108 that's all, see you today 3rd Sunday at 12:45pm 2-15-26 ask for Howard!

Every year MoCo Makers is proud to partner with the DMV Petri Dish to celebrate Pi Day, 3/14, which is a celebration of the mathematical "transcendental number" pi - 3.14159.... Pi day is also a great excuse to be social and eat Pie! This event is open to all backgrounds, even if this is your first event! We are meeting at the 7 Locks Brewery, and they kindly let us bring our own food. No worries if you don't drink alcoholic drinks, all are welcome. Bringing your own food is encouraged but not required. If you are planning to bring something, please enter your name, item name, and quantity in the spreadsheet below: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1ldQxYBECyxwTeX_woLhbQZlj0EkAyB5qrc-Q16hBOn0/edit?usp=drivesdk There will be a countdown leading up to 1:59 pm, complete with disco ball drop. 🪩 Dr. Cheryl Lohman is sponsoring an assortment of chef-crafted savory-style pies, and they come well reviewed (just ask past attendees). Join us for some good times, and tasty eats!

**\*TO ATTEND GET TICKET At** [https://www.socialevents123.com/event-details.aspx?id=13306#tix](https://www.socialevents123.com/event-details.aspx?id=13306#tix) (Multiple Meetup groups are co-organizing so the RSVP's shown are just a very small portion attending. We'll have at least 20 registered.) Our last online Bingo Night Party was such a BIG hit, we're doing it again! Do you like to play BINGO or want to just do something different?! Then you will LOVE this event! Here is your opportunity to have some fun playing our Live "Bingo" game. You will also get to socialize and make other friends from the comfort of your home. Prizes included Amazon gift cards, free future events and more! This completely online event will be LIVE and you will be able to see and hear the other participants while playing. You will either need to print or draw out your bingo cards. We will email you with how to get it after registering. You can have more than 1 person on your team as long as they're from your house and use same device. Friends/family around the country can also play. They would just need to also register for a ticket. This event will be held on Zoom which you would access through your computer/webcam, or via your phone/tablet. On day of the event, you will get a secured Zoom link and link to print out Bingo cards. \*RSVPS ON HERE ARE NOT REFLECTIVE OF ACTUAL ATTENDANCE as this is a multi group event. Cost: $15-$20 depending on how early you register. **\*TO ATTEND GET TICKET AT -** [https://www.socialevents123.com/event-details.aspx?id=13306#tix](https://www.socialevents123.com/event-details.aspx?id=13306#tix) To find more fun events: Follow: [https://www.eventbrite.com/o/new-york-city-social-events-10797526283](https://www.eventbrite.com/o/new-york-city-social-events-10797526283) Join: [https://www.meetup.com/NYC-Social/](https://www.meetup.com/NYC-Social/) Click: [https://dljparty.ticketleap.com/](https://dljparty.ticketleap.com/)

**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.*

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!!*

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.

Join Sacred Sound Alchemy Columbus for a transformative Sound Bath experience that will take you on a journey of self-discovery and healing. Immerse yourself in the powerful vibrations of various sound instruments like crystal singing bowls and rain drums, carefully orchestrated to balance your chakras and uplift your spirit. The soothing sounds will help you release negative energy, reduce stress, and promote deep relaxation. This event is perfect for those seeking a moment of tranquility and a chance to connect with their inner selves. Whether you are new to sound healing or a seasoned practitioner, you will benefit from the harmonious frequencies that will resonate with your body and soul. Come and allow yourself to be enveloped in a wave of healing energy, leaving you refreshed, rejuvenated, and ready for life's next chapter. Please bring something comfortable to lay on like a yoga mat. Being a pillow for your head or for under your knees and a blanket to cover over yourou. The library can get cold. Bring some water to help flush your body for after the session.

📢 **RSVP Required - Limited Capacity** 🎟️ Please note that due to limited capacity, we cannot guarantee entry, food, or seating. Kindly understand that space is limited. Join us for a **FREE public event** with provided **refreshments**! Get ready for an exciting game meetup! We're thrilled to have you join us. Rest assured, we have ample space to accommodate multiple game playing. Game time: **2 pm to 5 pm**. Remember, just like in real life, you don't have to arrive on time to start playing. Here's the detailed **Agenda**: **1:45 pm - 2:00 pm: Opening & Setup** **2:00 pm - 2:30 pm: Food & Networking** **2:30 pm - 3:45 pm: Game Talk** **3:45 pm - 5:00 pm: Game Time** **5:00 pm - 5:15 pm: Closing** No need to bring anything other than yourself. Feel free to bring a friend and share some good jokes too! 🧐 We're excited to see you there! Don't forget to **RSVP to secure your spot**.

Join Sacred Sound Alchemy Columbus for a transformative Sound Bath experience that will take you on a journey of self-discovery and healing. Immerse yourself in the powerful vibrations of various sound instruments like crystal singing bowls and rain drums, carefully orchestrated to balance your chakras and uplift your spirit. The soothing sounds will help you release negative energy, reduce stress, and promote deep relaxation. This event is perfect for those seeking a moment of tranquility and a chance to connect with their inner selves. Whether you are new to sound healing or a seasoned practitioner, you will benefit from the harmonious frequencies that will resonate with your body and soul. Come and allow yourself to be enveloped in a wave of healing energy, leaving you refreshed, rejuvenated, and ready for life's next chapter. Please bring something comfortable to lay on like a yoga mat. Being a pillow for your head or for under your knees and a blanket to cover over yourou. The library can get cold. Bring some water to help flush your body for after the session.

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.)