Network Virtualization

Open Mic and Networking, Singers , Musicians , Bands, Hip Hop Artists, Sound Engineers, Producers Networking

**SPACES ARE LIMITED – BOOK YOUR TICKET BEFORE THE EVENT:** **[https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/1980804060266?aff=oddtdtcreator](https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/1980804060266?aff=oddtdtcreator)** Step into the vibrant world of artificial intelligence and machine learning at our exclusive London AI & ML Network Mixer. This event caters to innovators, thinkers, and investors in the AI and ML spheres, providing a unique opportunity to connect with industry leaders, discover cutting-edge projects, and explore potential collaborations. **Who Should Attend:** * **Emerging AI and ML Startups:** Showcase your innovations and seek partnerships or funding in a focused setting. * **Investors:** Find pioneering startups within the AI and ML domains that align with your investment criteria. * **AI and ML Professionals:** Network with peers, discuss advancements and industry challenges, and potentially find your next career move. * **Students and Academics:** Immerse yourself in the industry environment, gain insights, and connect with potential mentors and collaborators. **Why This Event is a Must:** * **Effective Networking:** Tailored specifically for the AI and ML communities, this mixer facilitates targeted networking, helping you build meaningful connections that can lead to collaborative projects or ventures. * **Opportunity for Exposure:** Startups can gain visibility by presenting their projects during one-minute pitches, directly communicating their value to an audience that includes potential investors and collaborators. * **Insight into Industry Trends:** Keep up-to-date with the latest research and commercial opportunities in AI and ML through conversations with industry insiders and thought leaders. * **Career Opportunities:** Professionals looking to advance in the AI and ML fields can discover new opportunities and expand their networks in a dynamic, supportive environment. Don’t miss this opportunity to engage with the forefront of AI and ML innovation. Whether you’re looking to invest, collaborate, or just learn about the next big thing in tech, our London AI & ML Network Mixer is the place to be. Secure your spot today and be part of shaping the future of technology! **AGENDA OF THIS NETWORKING EVENT IN LONDON** 7:00 pm - 7:30 pm: Meet and greet. Upon arrival, ask the receptionist about the business networking event, and they will guide you to our designated area. 8 pm - 8:30 - Presentations 8:30 pm -10 pm: Informal networking Dress code: business smart casual. **Register now - space is limited to 50 attendees only!** **P.S. Click Follow for future event alerts!**

**Looking for a business networking event in London's Canary Wharf?** Join us and connect with **startup founders, tech entrepreneurs, FinTech operators, and professionals in business, finance & tech**. Event by tech startup GMax Card and Getshop Today. Why Attend? • Meet founders, entrepreneurs, tech pros, FinTech operators • Build valuable business and startup connections
 • Discover new ideas and opportunities
 • Real conversations in a mid-sized group - not a crowded conference (max 40 people) • Paid ticket holders get a free GMax contactless business card Venue: The Sipping Room, Canary Wharf **The Sipping Room** is set in a beautifully converted dockside warehouse at West India Quay, blending Canary Wharf’s industrial heritage with a modern, social vibe. Surrounded by historic port docks and framed by a dramatic skyscraper skyline, it offers a relaxed yet buzzy atmosphere - perfect for business networking with character, views, and great energy. \*\* Note re contactless cards:\*\* Free RSVP gives entry only - no contactless card included. For the card, book a paid ticket when available. Agenda 18:30 – 21:30 Informal business networking in London, Canary Wharf. On arrival, please ask the receptionist about the networking event. Hosts can make introductions if necessary, followed by open, informal business networking. Meet and Connect with: • Startup founders & entrepreneurs
 • FinTech, Finance, banking & investment specialists
 • IT, tech & product professionals
 • Business owners & consultants
 • International professionals based in London and internationally Co-organised by tech startups: • [GMax Card - Digital & contactless business cards
](www.gmaxcard.com) • [Ciitab - AI-powered LinkedIn automation](www.ciitab.com) • [Getshop Today - Build an eCommerce site in minutes](www.getshop.today) ⚠️ Important Information: **Dress Code:** Smart or business casual. No hoodies or sportswear, please - this is a business networking event rather than a fully informal gathering. Age & ID: 18+. ID may be required for alcohol purchases. Photos & Video: Filming and photography by [CineEye (Visual Media Production in London)](www.cineeye.co.uk). Images may be used for promotion - inform organisers on arrival if you do not consent. ️ Liability: Attendance is at your own risk. Organisers and venue accept no responsibility for loss, injury, or damage to you or your property. ✅ Register Early - Only 40 Spots! Join this evening of relaxed networking with the business, tech, finance, and startup community in East London. We’re excited to meet you! Register now, and don’t forget to join the group for future event alerts.

**PLEASE MAKE SURE TO BOOK YOUR TICKET IN ADVANCE TO ATTEND THE EVENT. YOU CAN RESERVE YOUR SPOT HERE. [https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/1980986863034?aff=oddtdtcreator](https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/1980986863034?aff=oddtdtcreator)** Join us for an exclusive networking event designed to connect **business founders, CTOs, and technical partners** looking to collaborate, innovate, and scale their ventures. Whether you're a startup founder seeking a **technical co-founder**, a CTO looking for **new opportunities**, or a tech expert ready to partner with a growing business, this event provides the perfect setting to build meaningful connections. ### **What to Expect:** **Meet Business Founders & CTOs** – Engage with entrepreneurs, startup leaders, and experienced tech professionals looking to collaborate. **1-Minute Elevator Pitches** – Attendees will have the opportunity to introduce themselves, share what they are working on, and explain what they’re looking for—whether it's a co-founder, a new role, or investment opportunities. **Strategic Partnerships & Hiring Opportunities** – Find the right **technical talent**, **co-founders**, or **business partners** to take your startup to the next level. **SaaS, AI, Web3 & Tech Startups Networking** – Connect with professionals working on cutting-edge solutions in **software development, cloud computing, blockchain, AI, and more**. **Expert Industry Insights** – Learn from seasoned entrepreneurs and technical leaders about the challenges and opportunities in building and scaling successful tech ventures. ### **Who Should Attend?** * **Startup Founders & Entrepreneurs** – Business leaders looking for CTOs, technical partners, or experts to help build and scale their technology. * **CTOs & Technical Leaders** – Technology executives exploring new ventures, partnerships, or advisory opportunities. * **Software Engineers & Developers** – Tech professionals seeking collaboration with startups or potential co-founder roles. * **Investors & VCs** – Individuals and firms interested in connecting with promising **tech startups and technical talent**. * **Product Managers & Tech Strategists** – Professionals working in **SaaS, AI, fintech, Web3, and other tech-driven industries** looking to build connections. ### **Why Attend?** **Expand Your Network** – Meet and connect with industry professionals who can help you grow your startup or career. **Find Your Perfect Co-Founder or Tech Partner** – If you're a founder looking for a CTO or a CTO seeking new opportunities, this event is the perfect match. **Discover New Opportunities** – Whether it’s partnerships, funding, or new roles, this event will help you **unlock potential collaborations**. **Stay Ahead in Tech Innovation** – Learn from industry experts and connect with professionals at the forefront of **technology, AI, and SaaS development**. **Spaces are limited—secure your spot now and take the next step in building the future of tech.** **How our event works:** **You are invited to join the dedicated Whatsapp group for the event and start networking before the actual event.** 7pm - When you arrive your name will be checked off the guest list, the host will direct everyone to the reserved area and explain how the event will work. 7.30pm – Presentations starts, you will be introduced to each other in a nice relaxed environment in the semi private reserved area. 8pm - Elevator Pitch 8.30 - Networking 10 pm - Event ends, all guests are welcome to stay and enjoy chatting with each other. This event will be hosted till 9pm; the key to making the most of speed friending is to follow up with your contacts over time to develop friendships. Dress code is either business or office attire or smart casual, no T-shirts, no trainers. If you have any questions email contact@thebusinessminds.co.uk Ticket for 1 person allows 1 person to enter the venue from 7pm What to join this event and all our future events for **FREE**? Join **The Business Minds Membership** to unlock free entry to all our 290+ yearly networking events, plus exclusive networking opportunities. Learn more: [https://thebusinessminds.co.uk/membership](https://thebusinessminds.co.uk/membership). **Please Note:** **Tickets need to be bought online and are not available at the door!**

Join us **the night before Elastic{ON} London** for an exclusive meetup, a perfect warm-up to the big day ahead! This is your chance to connect with the Elastic community, mingle with fellow attendees, and get energized for a full day of presentations at Elastic{ON} London. Don’t miss out! Register for the meetup and make sure you’ve also signed up for [Elastic{ON} London](https://www.elastic.co/events/elasticon/london) as well to experience a full day of learning and networking! 📅**Date and Time:** Wednesday, February 25, from 6:00-8:30 PM 📍**Location:** Davidson Building Address: 1st floor, 5 Southampton St, London WC2E 7HA Note: please use Exeter St entrance as the main entrance is closed after 6pm **Agenda:** * 6:00 pm: Doors open; say hi and eat some food * 6:30 pm: #Talk 1 - Re-thinking significant term discovery Mark Harwood - Ex-Elastic Core Developer and Lucene committer * 7:00 pm: Q&A * 7:10 pm: #Talk 2 - From Specs to Play: How I Built a Generative AI Game with Elastic + Microsoft AI Mike Richter - Principal Partner Solution Architect at Microsoft * 7:30 pm: Q&A * 7:40 pm: Networking and event wrap-up * 8:30 pm: Event close If you’re a long-time Elastic user or just starting your journey, this is the perfect opportunity to share ideas, meet new people, and get inspired. Invite your friends and RSVP on this page! **⚡️ Interested in giving a talk? ⚡️** Have you ever considered presenting on your Elastic use case? We welcome 5-10 minute lightning talks, 45-minute deep dives, and everything in between. If you're interested, please submit via our [CFP](https://sessionize.com/elastic-meetups/) or send us an email at [meetups@elastic.co.](http://meetups@elastic.co./)

Join us on February 25th for talks from engineers at **Nebius, Fireworks AI,** **Together AI** and **Cerebras** \- four companies working on distinct approaches to AI infrastructure\, from cloud\-native training platforms to custom silicon\. Topics: * **Nebius** \- Tips and tricks for Training High\-Performance Speculators by Filipp Fisin * **Fireworks AI** \- LLM evaluations and closing the benchmark\-to\-production gap by Shaunak Godbole * **Cerebras -** Technology underpinning the fastest inference by Dmitry Gaynullin * **Together AI** \- Road to 5M Sequence Length: Breaking Memory Barriers in Context Parallelism by Max Ryabinin If you’d like to give a talk or become a partner for one of the upcoming meetups, message [https://www.linkedin.com/in/fedorshabashev/](https://www.linkedin.com/in/fedorshabashev/) or [https://www.linkedin.com/in/kirzharov/](https://www.linkedin.com/in/kirzharov/) In the meantime, you can watch the previously recorded talks: [https://youtube.com/@londonpytorchmeetup](https://youtube.com/@londonpytorchmeetup) Please subscribe to our channel! ❤️

**Please note this is an offline event with limited space. RSVP only if you will be able to attend in person. If you want to watch the live streaming, please RSVP to our [online meetup](https://www.meetup.com/producttank-london/events/313347025/?eventOrigin=group_events_list),** **\-\-\-\-\-\-\-** Join us for an exciting panel discussion at the next ProductTank London event on **Navigating the transition to a product-first operating model: leveraging AI to make faster and smarter decisions.** **Our speakers:** **[Alex Stergiou](https://www.linkedin.com/in/alex-stergiou-30465a67/)** - **Product Success Partner** Alex Stergiou is a transformation and product leader with nearly two decades of experience in complex sales and service organisations, primarily at BT and now in a high‑growth SaaS environment. He has led cross‑functional squads and business analysis teams to deliver major broadband, TV and converged product transformations, and more recently has rolled out Productboard and modern demand planning practices across BT Business. In his current Product Success role, he helps enterprises evolve their product operating models and unlock value from product tooling and AI‑enabled ways of working. **[James Reynolds](https://www.linkedin.com/in/jamesreyno/)** - **Director** A product leader with huge experience in Telco across roles in marketing, engineering and digital, covering consumer and business in multi national organisations. I love telco as it's the fabric that underpins all our digital lives. I'm passionate about the power of product to solve problems and excited about the possibilities AI brings. Away from work I taxi my 3 kids around, go on dog walks and follow Arsenal. **[Simon Evatt](https://www.linkedin.com/in/simonevatt/)**[ ](https://www.linkedin.com/in/simonevatt/)- **Digital Director** Simon Evatt, Digital Director is responsible for BT, EE and Plusnet digital journeys and experiences across Service and Sales channels, along with tools and tech in our Contact Centres and Retail stores. **[Amanda Ho](https://www.linkedin.com/in/amanda-ho-uk/) \- Product Manager**, will be our host for the evening. This event is sponsored by [Productboard](https://www.linkedin.com/company/productboard/) **Location:** EE, 1 Braham St, London, E1 8EE **Timings:** 6:30 - Doors open 7:00 - Talk starts / streaming starts 8:00 - Q&A 8:30 - Q&A Finish 9:00 - Close Please note that the event will be live-streamed on our YouTube channel, and images taken throughout the evening may be shared on our social media platforms. To keep up-to-date with our upcoming talks, follow our [LinkedIn page](https://www.linkedin.com/company/producttanklondon) and our [YouTube channel.](https://www.youtube.com/c/MindtheProductTV) \-\-\-\-\-\-\-\- By attending this event, you agree to give permission for any photos taken during the event to be used for promotional purposes, give permission for your name and surname to be used for registration purposes, and agree to be contacted by email by ProductTank and Productboard.

Join startup founders, tech entrepreneurs, business owners and professionals in business, finance and tech for an **evening of business networking in the elegant Sycamore Bar at the 5-star Middle Eight Hotel, Covent Garden.** \*\* Note re Contactless Cards\*\* 
Free RSVP gives entry only - the contactless business card is not included.
To receive a contactless networking card, please book a paid ticket when available. **This informal yet refined business mixer** is the perfect opportunity to exchange ideas, spark collaborations, and build meaningful business connections that go beyond LinkedIn. \*\* Dress Code\*\*
 As this is a 5-star hotel, smart or business attire is required. Please avoid casual wear, hoodies, or sportswear. **What to Expect** ✅ Relaxed, premium networking environment - no stage or speeches, just natural conversations with inspiring professionals.
 ✅ Mix of industries - startups, tech, finance and business. ✅ Guest list of max 40 attendees to encourage genuine connections as opposed to impersonal crowded conferences. **Why Attend** • Expand your network with startup founders, tech entrepreneurs, business owners and senior professionals in business, finance and tech from London and beyond.
 • Share insights and opportunities in tech, business growth, and digital innovation.
 • Experience luxury yet relaxed networking in one of Covent Garden’s most sophisticated venues. **Venue** Sycamore Bar, Middle Eight Hotel
A refined, design-led bar inside the 5-star Middle Eight Hotel.
Located in the heart of Covent Garden, within walking distance of Holborn, Covent Garden, and Tottenham Court Road stations. **Important Info** • Ages: 18+ (ID required for bar purchases)
 • Photography Notice: The event may be filmed or photographed for promotional use by [CineEye (audiovisual production company in London)
](www.cineeye.co.uk) • Dress Code: Smart/business attire only (see above). • Contactless Cards: Free RSVP does not include contactless business card (see above). **Join Us** Step into an evening where business meets elegance - designed for founders, innovators, and professionals who value meaningful business conversations. **Limited to 40 spots - reserve yours today!**

**Be part of the next Londroid event on Thursday, 26th February 2026, hosted by Vonage.** Spend the evening enjoying Android talks, conversation and community. Expect engaging sessions, the chance to meet others working in Android, and an opportunity to speak with the Vonage team. After the event, we’ll head to **The Fox** for post-event drinks and further conversation. **Tickets:** We have 100 tickets available. Don’t miss out. Follow us on Twitter and LinkedIn for updates. **Schedule:** 18:00 – Doors open & registration 18:30 – Welcome from Londroid and Vonage 18:45 – Zachary Powell - *Beyond the Smartphone: Android’s Identity Crisis in 2026* 19:30 – Nicola Corti – *What I Learned from Publishing Libraries to Maven Central for 10 Years* 20:15 – Q&A and socialising 20:30 – Drinks at The Fox **Our Hosts and Sponsors** **Vonage** Vonage is a cloud communications platform that enables developers to integrate voice, video, and messaging into their applications using communication and network APIs. Whether you’re building video calls, creating a chatbot, or working with programmable phone numbers, Vonage provides the tools to make it happen **Novoda** Novoda is a digital product agency dedicated to building high-quality software. Their team of engineers helps companies scale, modernise and improve their development practices to deliver exceptional digital experiences. Join us for an evening of learning, collaboration and community. We look forward to seeing you there.

This is a paid event Ticket Link: https://allevents.in/london/80001200259372?aff_id=u5zt4r&ref=sharer GLOBAL STARTUPS CLUB l STARTUP NETWORKING London 2026 Join us for world's largest & most engaging Startup Business & Investors network! Innovate. Network. Execute. WHAT YOU GAIN FROM THE MEET? Networking activity & games to know other delegates Business Speed Dating 30 sec Elevator Pitch for Startups Businesses Expert Discussions on relevant Startup & Investors Ecosystem Whatsapp group for all Attendees Introducing Global Startups Club - a networking hub & community powered by Mojo Capital (www.mojostartup.com) 100x Brands Gamezon.store & Market Forever Global (market-forever.com) that will meet once a month over tea & coffee. Our mission is to bring together talented founders experts consultants influential leaders and startup professionals. Business community will come together for a well curated agenda driven 2.5 hrs offline meet showcasing their businesses. (PS: Tickets cover the attendance fee. However Snack and beverages (as per your order) will be at your own expense. Kindly ensure to place an order to support the venue ) The club will hold its meetings once a month where you can meetup and improve your network and business prospects. The Eco-system consists of Founders Business Owners VCs Directors Power Networkers and Consultants connecting with each other. For Partnerships Sponsorships Ticketing queries: [brands@globalstartups.club](https://allevents.in/london/global-startups-club-l-startup-networking-london-2026-tickets/80001200259372#); [connect@mohitsureka.com](https://allevents.in/london/global-startups-club-l-startup-networking-london-2026-tickets/80001200259372#) Support: Mohit Sureka - +971 585797400

Hello and welcome to our next **GenAI UK x Cloud Native & Open-Source AI** meetup. 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. We run bi-monthly in-person meetups in London, bi-monthly online global events, and regional chapters across the UK, North America, and APAC. 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 **26th of February** with Netmind AI NetMind XYZ ([https://xyz.netmind.ai/](https://xyz.netmind.ai/)) is NetMind.AI's new agent platform where you can create your agents with just natural language. Agents on NetMind XYZ can now join moltbook. **Speakers and Sessions:** Speaker: Xiangpeng Wan, Product Lead at Netmind.AI Session Title: Gamifying Intelligence: Deploying Your Agents into the Arena Description: Got a custom agent built on Open Canvas or a unique ReAct loop? It’s time to see how it performs under pressure. Arena is an open-source sandbox where agents compete in multi-player environments—ranging from tactical "client poaching" simulations to high-stakes logic games. Speaker: Frank Contrepois, Independent FinOps Voice at Coblan Session Title: Coding standards - back to basics Description: In this session, I’ll walk through the coding standards behind the FinOps Toolkit and show how a few strict constraints unlock surprising flexibility at scale. The toolkit is unapologetically command-line-first and modeled on mature Unix-style ecosystems. **Agenda (GMT /UK ):** * 18:00: Welcome and refreshments * 18:30: Introduction - Ethan Sumner * 18:35: Xiangpeng Wan * 19:10: Break * 19:20: Frank Contrepois * 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)** 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 to ensure a respectful, inclusive, and welcoming environment for all attendees.

Over the past year, generative AI has gone from novelty to infrastructure. But while most people are still treating tools like ChatGPT as clever calculators, a small group are quietly rebuilding how they work around agentic systems, automated workflows, and personal knowledge bases. This talk is for anyone who suspects there is a big gap between “using AI” and actually being at the frontier. In this session, our own host Dr Manuel Corpas will share **10 concrete patterns** he has used to build a personal AI stack that now runs 24/7 alongside his research and teaching. Rather than a product demo or a hype talk, this will be a practitioner’s tour of what changes when you move away from simply ad-hoc promptings. Manuel will keep the examples grounded in genomics, health data and academic work, with patterns directly transferable to industry, clinical and data‑intensive roles. There will be time for Q&A and informal discussion afterwards (as usual, we’ll migrate to the pub after the main session). **About the speaker** Dr Manuel Corpas is a globally recognized genomicist and health data scientist whose work has advanced the frontiers of equity in precision medicine. His research spans population genomics, pharmacogenomics, and biobanking, with a longstanding commitment to underserved and underrepresented populations. As President of the Spanish Congress of Genomic Medicine, he leads the largest Spanish-speaking platform for genomic health equity. He has been a driving force behind major sequencing efforts such as the Peruvian Genome Project, which expands global reference datasets to include diverse Indigenous and Latin American populations. He has contributed to widely adopted clinical and open‑source tools, including DECIPHER for rare disease diagnosis and BioJS for genomic data visualization. Approximate schedule (@University of Westminster – Cavendish Campus): * 18:30 – doors open * 18:45 – chitchat, announcements * 19:00 – talk starts * 19:45 – talk ends, adjourn to pub Please RSVP at least the day before, and make sure your Meetup name is recognisable (e.g. “J Smith” rather than “weaselstabber”) so reception can match you to the attendee list and direct you to the room.

**Google Cloud enthusiasts!** **We at Go Reply, Reply’s team of Google Cloud specialists, are thrilled to host our first Quarterly Reply Google Techie Meetup in our London office — a space for developers, architects, and tech leaders to come together and dive into what’s new and next on Google Cloud.** **What to expect :** ### **The Rise of Agentic AI on Google Cloud** **AI is making the leap from tool to teammate. While traditional generative models laid the groundwork for synthesising information, agentic AI is now emerging as a technology with the potential to truly revolutionise industries. These are systems designed to reason, set goals, and execute multi-step tasks with minimal manual intervention. In this session, we’ll explore the fundamental shift toward autonomy in the AI landscape, and dive into how Google Cloud provides the infrastructure to build, deploy, scale, and get the most out of these sophisticated agents.** ### **Trends in 2026** **The year has only just begun but the Google Cloud ecosystem is evolving faster than ever. We have moved beyond the era of simple cloud migration and into an age of constant adaptation, where the ability to integrate advanced technologies into core operations is the new baseline for success. Join us for a high-impact session where we break down the most significant Google Cloud trends of the year and take a look at the hot topics you need to know to navigate the 2026 landscape with confidence.**

## DevOps Society Meetup with EDF **Location:** EDF UK, Nova North, 11 Bressenden Place London, SW1E 5BY **Time:** Doors open at 6PM **Drinks, snacks, talks, and networking.** We’re excited to invite you to our first in-person **DevOps Society Meetup** of 2026, proudly **sponsored by EDF**. This event brings together the DevOps, SRE, and cloud engineering community for an evening of honest conversations, real-world lessons, and networking with people who’ve actually done the work. A huge thank you to **EDF** for sponsoring the event and for providing the venue, refreshments, and support for our community. *** ## ️ Format of the Meetup: 6:00pm – 6:30pm — Networking on arrival, with food and drinks provided by EDF 6:30pm – 7:10pm — First speaker + Q&A 7:10pm – 7:20pm — Break for refreshments and networking 7:20pm – 8:00pm — Second speaker + Q&A 8:00pm onwards — More networking at the venue, then at a nearby pub. *Timings can vary slightly depending on Q&A.* *** We’re delighted to welcome **two fantastic speakers** to this EDF-hosted DevOps Society meetup. *** ## SPEAKER 1 – Steve Bowerman **Principal Software Engineer, EDF** ### Bio Steve is a technologist and thought leader with **25 years in the industry**, including **20 years in the utilities sector**, spanning startups through to large, established enterprises. Since stepping into the role of **Principal Software Engineer at EDF**, Steve has played a key role in reviewing and overhauling EDF’s approach to software engineering - bringing critical capabilities in-house and aligning teams with modern **DevOps and SRE principles**. His work focuses on long-term, sustainable transformation rather than tooling churn, helping large organisations evolve how they build, operate, and scale software. *** ### Talk Title **Rebooting the Enterprise: The DevOps Way** ### Talk Intro Building a DevOps mindset in a startup is relatively easy - it’s often the default DNA of modern engineering teams. Doing the same in a **large enterprise** is a very different challenge. In this talk, Steve will take you through **five years of transformation in 15 minutes**. He’ll share how EDF approached enterprise DevOps adoption, where things failed (and why), what ultimately worked, and the lessons learned along the way. Spoiler: **technology was the least difficult part**. This session is ideal for engineers, platform teams, and leaders working in complex organisations who want a realistic view of what enterprise DevOps transformation actually looks like. *** ## SPEAKER 2 – Matteo Emili **Director of Software Engineering, Avanade** **Bio** Matteo Emili is a Director of Software Engineering at Avanade UK and Ireland, leading the talent in Software Engineering and always looking at new ways of applying technology to solve business problems. He is a passionate Agile advocate and a technologist at heart, a Cloud Architect who is always driven by using technology as a vehicle for change and continuous improvement. A Microsoft MVP since 2010 (currently in the Azure DevOps and GitHub category), he enjoys sharing back as much as he can with the worldwide technical communities – especially within Agile and DevOps. He has founded several User Groups around Europe and he is a regular speaker at meetups and conferences. ### Talk Title **From Vibe Coding to Agentic Engineering: A Step-by-Step Guide** ### Talk Bio AI-augmented software development is evolving. What started as *“vibe coding”* \- intuition\-driven\, creative experimentation with AI \- is now moving toward **agentic engineering**, a more governed and intentional approach where AI agents actively collaborate with developers while enforcing best practices and organisational standards. In this session, Matteo explores how teams can transition from unstructured AI experimentation to **agentic workflows** that balance creativity with accountability. You’ll learn how agentic engineering enables: * Faster development without sacrificing quality * Built-in governance and standards * AI collaboration that scales across teams * A practical path from experimentation to production-ready AI-assisted engineering This talk offers a clear, pragmatic view of how AI will reshape software engineering in the years ahead - and how teams can adopt it responsibly. *** Please **RSVP to secure your spot**. Spaces are limited and available on a **first-come, first-served** basis. We’re really looking forward to getting the community back together again for our first event of 2026. [Our slack community](https://join.slack.com/t/devopssociety/shared_invite/zt-3mswuylw7-MhJg1IZ70rX_GpJTluG2Cw) \- join in and introduce yourself\! [Our Youtube Channel ](https://www.youtube.com/@DevOpsSociety)for regular podcasts with DevOps professionals + more DevOps content. [Website](https://thedevopsociety.com/) [To partner with us](https://thedevopsociety.com/partnerships) EDF website - https://www.edfenergy.com/ Thanks! From the DevOps Society team [Ben](https://www.linkedin.com/in/benwhitmarsh/) and [Vytas](https://www.linkedin.com/in/vytasdevops/)

## Overview Networking event for aspiring school leaders interested in building their own high-quality K-12 public school in their community. **About the Event:** Aspiring school founders in the Columbus, OH, area are invited to join us for this special in-person networking event where you will be able to ask questions, learn more about the BES Fellowship and make sure you are prepared for the application process and beyond. In addition to meeting like-minded leaders who are also committed to transforming education and bringing a high-quality K-12 option to their community, you’ll have the opportunity to meet our team and gain special insights from Dr. Chaundria Smith, BES Senior Director of Fellowship Coaching, who works closely to support BES Fellows. During this event, you can also learn more about the various regions across Ohio we are prioritizing for the BES Fellowship to ensure that new schools will respond to the needs of their community. **About the BES Fellowship:** Leaders in the BES Fellowship embark on a multi-year process to design, found, and lead an excellent K-12 public school that reflects and responds to community needs. We are currently accepting applications to the 2026 BES Fellowship. The extended deadline is March 30, and the 2026 Cohort will begin August 2026. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until all spots are filled. Learn more at [bes.org/fellowship](http://bes.org/fellowship "http://bes.org/fellowship").

Connected Westerville Night of Networking flips the script on networking, with surprises and connections that'll make you say, "Who knew networking could be this much fun?!"

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.

Want to be a speaker? submit your talk to our Call for Presenters!!! https://sessionize.com/cbus-hug-2026/

Welcome to Casual Boardgames, where we enjoy classic tabletop games and social deduction games while bonding over good food, drinks, and great conversations. 
We started this group to meet new people and make new friends, and bonding over games in a relaxed atmosphere is a great way to do that. We currently meet near route 23 and Polaris Parkway, and this is close to areas like Powell, Lewis Center, Worthington, and parts of Westerville and Columbus. 
Feel free to bring your own games or play one of the many games our members bring. If you are inexperienced, we will help you learn. 
Here are just a few examples of the kind of games we play. 
Tabletop/board games: Splendor, Catan, Azul, Dominion, 7 Wonders… 
Social deduction games: Code Names, Chameleon, Werewords… 
IMPORTANT: 
1. While we love playing a variety of games and competing, we are not just about the games. We interact and talk while playing, and this leads to a lot of laughter and fun. If you just want to compete and focus solely on the game, then this is probably not the group you are looking for. 
2. Many people join groups like this and never (or rarely) show up after weeks or months. If you join and never really come, we will eventually remove you from the group as a courtesy to our members. Why? Because limiting group conversations (on the app) to regular members makes communication and planning much easier. Also, while it may be rare, it protects members from people who join because they are interested in following a person instead of having a real interest in our group. If you get removed, it is just because you haven’t come, and we follow this protocol as a courtesy to our regular game players.