Product Management

**[CTRL+SHIFT & NovaForge AI Venture lab present Creative Strategy and Product Systems](https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/emerging-entrepreneurs-presented-by-novaforge-ctrlshift-jan-21-registration-1979168303674?aff=oddtdtcreator)** [​](https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/emerging-entrepreneurs-presented-by-novaforge-ctrlshift-jan-21-registration-1979168303674?aff=oddtdtcreator)**[Building Smarter in the New Year](https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/emerging-entrepreneurs-presented-by-novaforge-ctrlshift-jan-21-registration-1979168303674?aff=oddtdtcreator)** A practical, future-focused evening on how to work *with* AI to grow professionally, build stronger products, and move your ideas forward in 2026. Event registration: [Eventbrite](https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/emerging-entrepreneurs-presented-by-novaforge-ctrlshift-jan-21-registration-1979168303674?aff=oddtdtcreator) Rather than announcements or polished demos, we will explore what’s underneath: the signals people are reacting to, the constraints shaping their decisions, and the stories that rarely make it into public narratives. It’s a space for founders, artists, operators, and technologists to speak candidly about what’s actually shifting in their work, and why it matters now. ​**What to expect:** * ​Insightful talks on **Creative Strategy and Product Systems** * Stories with founders and makers * Short demos: Local AI rapid product spotlights * Networking with builders, creatives, and innovators Event Perks: * Complimentary professional headshots provided to attendees by Monochroam * Draw from NovaForge for ‘free innovation perks’

### The Hip Haus presents: [Professionals Networking Event](https://thehiphaus.com "https://thehiphaus.com")! Hosted at Isabelle's ### **\*\* What is The Hip Haus? \*\***The Hip Haus is an organization that exists to empower young and experienced professionals alike in the GTA and help the growth of local business. As professionals (especially post pandemic world) it is sometimes difficult to network with other like minded individuals, get good career advice or simply make connections with others you may be able to help or get help from. The Hip Haus is committed to providing social gatherings in an atmosphere where such networking can take place. **\*\* Who Should Attend? \*\***The Hip Haus events are ***19+***. The focus however is the growth and development of professionals in the GTA. It doesn’t matter if you are a business owner, have a job, are looking for a job, recently graduated university/college, still in university/college, looking for others to launch a new idea or just want to meet other professionals, our events are for you. Remember that Industry is Industry. One is not better than the other to The Hip Haus. We are expecting a diverse range of industry professionals. Our events in clude professionals from Tech & AI to Entrepreneurs, Musicians, Artists, Bankers, I.T Professionals, Accountants, Investors, Advertising/Marketing Professionals, Bloggers, Authors, Lawyers, Doctors, Dentists (This List Can Clearly Go On). ALL ARE WELCOME! **\*\* What to Expect at Our Events? \*\***Bring Business cards or have your LinkedIn QR code at the ready. Networking! That is the key to these events. Sure it can be a great place to hang out and have a beer with a few friends but it is important to come with an open mind to meet new people and make new connections. Build your network of friends/colleagues/advisors to help yourself as well as them. The Hip Haus wants the professionals of the GTA to come together to help foster personal and professional development. **\*\* Dress Code! \*\***This is a tricky one. There is NO strict dress code but remember this; you are meeting professionals in an informal manner and we all know first impressions last forever. Come dressed in a way that would allow you to be comfortable and professional according to your industry. Consider This…would a professional musician/artist necessarily dress the same as an investment banker at work? Be who you are or who you want to be. #YoungProfessionalsNetworking #ProfessionalsNetworking #EntrepreneurNetworking #FounderEvents #FounderNetworking #AINetworkingToronto #TechNetworkingEvents #YoungProfessionalsAI #EntrepreneursAI #AIandTechToronto #NetworkingEventsGTA #IssabellsToronto **\*\* Let's Get Social!\*\*** WEB: [www.thehiphaus.com](http://www.thehiphaus.com/ "http://www.thehiphaus.com/") [INSTAGRAM](m/thehiphaus/ "m/thehiphaus/") \| [FACEBOOK](https://www.facebook.com/thehiphaus "https://www.facebook.com/thehiphaus") \| [TWITTER](https://twitter.com/thehiphaus "https://twitter.com/thehiphaus")

***This is a paid event ($5 general admission, free for students & job seekers) with limited tickets - you must [RSVP on Luma](https://luma.com/zd29ibx6) to secure your spot.*** ​***Adversarial robustness remains a key concern in AI safety, with many interventions focusing on mitigating models’ capabilities to assist in harmful or criminal tasks. But how do LLMs behave in sociopolitical contexts, especially when faced with ambiguity?*** [​Punya Syon Pandey](https://www.linkedin.com/in/punya-syon-pandey-548532218/) will discuss research on accidental vulnerabilities induced by fine-tuning, and introduce new methods to measure sociopolitical robustness, highlighting broader implications for safe societal integration. ​**Event Schedule** 6:00 to 6:30 - Food and introductions 6:30 to 7:30 - Presentation and Q&A 7:30 to 9:00 - Open Discussions ​​​​If you can't make it in person, feel free to join the live stream starting at 6:30 pm, via [this link](https://www.youtube.com/@Trajectory-Labs/live).

### Thinking of Buying or Starting a Business? Want to buy an **existing business** or start one—but unsure about 💰 financing, 🏦 mortgages, or the buying process? Join this **casual, no-pressure meetup** where we’ll: * Walk through **real businesses currently for sale** * Discuss **how financing & mortgages work for business buyers** * Break down the **step-by-step buying process** * Answer real questions (no sales pitch) Perfect for: ✔️ First-time business buyers ✔️ Entrepreneurs & investors ✔️ Anyone exploring business ownership in Canada LOCATION: CF Sherway Gardens - Tim Hortons (Gourmet Fare) in FOOD COURT - GROUND FLOOR Questions? **Sami: +1-647-581-6588**

**🏛️ WHAT'S PRACTICAL PHILOSOPHY ABOUT?** Practical Philosophy is a weekly meet-up that brings critical thinkers together for an opportunity to dive deep on a topic, practice communicating, and building a community. All with no ‘official’ philosophy knowledge required! 😎 Practical Philosophy is based on the idea that philosophy should be accessible to all, and not something reserved only for academics. Each week we choose a topic, and the goal is to use the conversation to develop our critical thinking and communication as we explore that topic. The goal is to help develop our Critical Thinking, Communication, and Community 🙌 **📓 HOW DOES IT WORK?** Each week, we pick one topic and discuss it. The topic for the week is shared, generally in the [Whatsapp group](https://tally.so/r/81LP4A), along with jump-off points to get the conversation going. When groups get bigger than 7-8 people, it’s important that we break into smaller groups. This way we are able to maintain a conversational flow as opposed to having our meetups feel like a discourse or lecture. **General Meeting Agenda** Each Practical Philosophy meet-up follows this general timeline: * 19:00-19:15 - People arrive and chat, get to know each other before the official start. * 19:15-19:25 - Meeting introduction, explanation of Practical Philosophy and the topic for the week, read the guidelines and the overview so attendees know what to expect in terms of timelines. * 19:25-20:45 - Break into small groups - introduce yourselves and general thoughts on the topic, open discussion afterwards. At this point the group can review the ‘jump-off’ questions as needed, but they are just there to help guide the conversation. It’s not obligatory to answer them. * 20:45-21:00 - Bring everyone back together to discuss conclusions of the topic - each group gives a short 1-minute summary. Organizer concludes the meeting and everyone takes a group photo. * 21:00 - The official meeting is over but it’s a great opportunity to get to know people in a non-structured environment, so we often stick around, chat, and get to know each other. **🧧PRICING?** Practical Philosophy Club is FREE to attend! We just ask that if we are meeting in a café, buy a beverage! Some chapters rent a space for us to meet, and they may ask for donations to help contribute to the cost of rent. Donations will always be 100% voluntary though! **💛 WHAT PEOPLE SAY ABOUT PRACTICAL PHILOSOPHY** **🗣** “I feel like Philosophy Club helps someone build their own belief system through a series of perspectives while not promoting what’s right and wrong” - Ekam 🗣 “I got hooked from day 1 (the topic was authority) and felt it was the right place for me. I feel it is a place where people can go to learn and discuss new perspectives and increase critical thinking and community by interacting with people who might challenge your point of views but at the same time encourage you to have openness and mind flexibility.” - Daniel **🤓 FAQ** * **Do I need to study or read anything to attend?** No preparation is necessary. This isn’t a study of other thinkers. We want to know what you think about the topic, not what an old philosopher thought. If you have a perspective from a religion or a school of thought to share, throw it on the table and we’ll discuss it. * **Is there a specific philosophy that Practical Philosophy is focused on?** The goal of our meet-ups is to not have dogmatic discussions, and flex our critical thinking muscles. Because of this, we want to hear from every realm of thought, and don't study a particular school. * **Is it mostly men that attend?** Surprisingly, no! Although often, philosophy is seen as a Candelabra affair in a dark room with a bunch of guys, our Practical Philosophy meetups are generally 50/50 between genders, and we don’t meet in any dark rooms. * **Can I come alone?** Of course you can, we encourage it :) * **Can I be late?** Please don't be! We do have a 15 minute grace period where we allow people to funnel in while we hang out, but after that if you arrive too late, it disrupts the flow of the conversation. * **Where do you meet?** The location is posted in Meetup and our [Whatsapp](https://tally.so/r/81LP4A) group for this location. It is HIGHLY RECOMMENDED that you join the Whatsapp group! If you want to know what other cities have a Practical Philosophy Club, you can see our chapters on our [website](https://www.practicalphilosophy.club/). **PRACTICAL PHILOSOPHY CLUB - Philosophy, everywhere. ✨** We started in Practical Philosophy back in 2021 and there are now 15+ chapters in over 10 countries, including Canada, Spain, Japan, Mexico and many more! 🗺️ **\*\*\*** **Join our [Mississauga Whatsapp](https://tally.so/r/81LP4A) 👈** **Follow us on [Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/practicalphilosophyclub/) 👈** **Our [website](https://www.practicalphilosophy.club/) 👈**

Join Makkaerobics for Soca and Dancehall Dance classes. Sessions are 2hrs comprised of 30min warm up and 90 min of carefully structured choreography. The weekly classes alternates between soca and reggae built on unique choreography. Payment is received in cash or etransfer

Flourish is the ultimate one-day retreat to spark transformation and manifest your most successful life and business in 2026 **\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\> Get 50% off tickets for this event as a member or by signing up for a FREE 30 Day Trial of the Wellpreneur Club\!** https://hhwglobal.com/products/wellpreneur-club **OR Purchase a ticket on this page without a membership.** Join us at the HHW Headquarters for an empowering day of growth, connection, and inspiration with the Happy Healthy Women community. Designed to guide you on a step-by-step journey toward your most aligned and thriving self, *Flourish* is the ultimate one-day retreat to spark transformation and manifest your most successful life and business in 2026. Through a curated lineup of talks/workshops led by inspiring speakers, you’ll explore new ways to elevate your mindset, align your vision, and create a roadmap to achieve your goals. You'll leave the day equipped with clarity, confidence, and a ***[2026 Beautiful Business Planner](https://hhwglobal.com/collections/all-collections/products/beautifulbusinessplanner-2026)*** and HHW Tote bag **(included in your ticket)** to keep your momentum going. ✨ **What to Expect**: * **Interactive Sessions**: Dive deep into topics like mindfulness, goal setting, business strategy, and self-care. * **Your Beautiful Business in 2026 Mapped Out:** Use your new [2026 Beautiful Business Planner](https://hhwglobal.com/collections/all-collections/products/beautifulbusinessplanner-2026) (Included with our signature HHW Tote bag in your ticket!) to clarify your goals and strategize your success * **Inspiring Speakers**: Learn from women who’ve mastered the art of aligning, thriving, and manifesting success. * **Community Connection**: Network with like-minded women on the same journey of growth and empowerment. * **Lunch, Snacks, and Beverages:** Nourishing, Plant-based food to keep you feeling grounded and well all day. * **Yoga Class:** Take care of your mind, body, and business * **Aligned Marketplace:** Vendors sharing items designed to help you feel good and flourish. * **Gifts & Surprises**: Upon arrival, every attendee will receive a *2026 Beautiful Business Planner -* your essential tool for designing your most successful year, along with prizes throughout the day and swag. Let’s create a life and business you love. Together, we’ll align, thrive, and manifest your vision into reality. **TICKET INCLUDES:** * Snacks, Beverages, and a Nourishing Plant-based Lunch catered by the amazing [NourishMoi](https://nourishmoi.com/) * [The Beautiful Business 2026 Planner](https://hhwglobal.com/collections/all-collections/products/beautifulbusinessplanner-2026) & Tote bag - **[Click here to view!](https://hhwglobal.com/collections/all-collections/products/beautifulbusinessplanner-2026)** * All Speaker Sessions and Yoga (optional) * Networking, Connection and HIGH VIBES All day! **SPEAKERS:** [Kelly Hetherington - The Art of Identity Embodiment](https://hhwglobal.com/products/kelly-hetherington) [Josephine Carmela - Your Sacred Yes](https://josephinecarmela.com/) [Natalie Colalillo - Upgrading Your Life & Business](https://hhwglobal.com/collections/branch-directors-1/products/natalie-colalillo-global) [Tracy Lee - Clarity: From Noise to Knowing](https://www.traceyleeliving.com/) **MOVEMENT AND MEDITATION:** [Elizabeth Flemming - Morning Yoga: Gentle Movement & Visualization](https://www.instagram.com/journeytotheinsideout?igsh=MXVqczZwOXQ2cWgyZw%3D%3D) [Michelle Hillier - Breath & Fire Movement](https://www.breathandfire.com/) [April Miranda - Reiki Infused Meditation](https://www.holisticconnection.ca/april-miranda-delos-reyes) **VENDORS:** [Something Sweet by Sarah](https://www.somethingsweetbysarah.com/) [Serif+Soul Jewelry](https://www.serifandsoul.ca/) [Francesca Rea - Divine Wealth](https://francescarea.com/) [Ann Sirenko - Metabolic Balance](https://www.metabolic-balance.ca/team/ann-sirenko) [Diana Alvarado - Menopause Coach](https://dianaempowered.ca/) **LOCATION:** Happy Healthy Women Head Office 146 Thirtieth St Suite 100, Etobicoke, ON M8W 3C4 **Doors open at 9 am** This event is in support of the Shoebox Project, supporting women impacted by homelessness. Proceeds from our raffle will go towards our shoebox drive in 2025. [https://www.shoeboxproject.com/](https://www.shoeboxproject.com/) **\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\> Get 50% off tickets for this event as a member or by signing up for a FREE 30 Day Trial of the Wellpreneur Club\!** https://hhwglobal.com/products/wellpreneur-club **OR Purchase a ticket on this page without a membership.**

Join the Toronto Founders Hub every other Saturday at 3:30pm for our regular meetup at 5 Elements Espresso Bar. Sit down with other entrepreneurs to network and discuss business ideas or strategies. \- Broaden your network \- Get critical feedback \- Socialize in low pressure setting I look forward to seeing you!

Let’s do some coding together at a cafe! No more working alone in the weekend. Here, we write code together. And I mean together together. Not occupying-the-same-space-but-separate together. Here’s how it works: Jennifer brings her mobile app project, tells everyone that it is like Pinterest for recipes and she’d like to work on the nav bar. Paul and Chloe think Jennifer's project is fascinating, and they join the group. They gather around Jennifer’s laptop and work on the nav bar for 2 hours. Jennifer is the one typing out the code while Paul and Chloe research, brainstorm, and offer suggestions. If you’re feeling stuck on your own project or need a motivation boost, bring it to mob programming! Want to learn by watching how others code and solve problems? Join someone else’s project at this event! Oh and we love your half-done projects that you are a bit embarrassed to share. Absolutely bring those to the event! **Discord**: We use Discord to share screen & code snippets during the event. Also feel free to share your projects here before the event! https://discord.gg/Da9fZFxPfs **Event policy**: * We have 0 tolerance for harassment. * We don’t allow the projects that are not meant to be shared in public such as school assignments, interview tasks, or trade secrets. * The goal is to write code. We discourage you from pitching business ideas here, doing code reviews, or spending the whole event on planning what to do. * Please buy a drink, and tip the barista well.

AI companions have become increasingly popular. A recent study estimates that around 70% of teens in the US has tried an AI companions in the past year. But is their impact on our lives overall positive? Can they provide true friendship or fulfill any of our social needs? With their popularity on the rise, what are the social and political implications they carry? Come discuss these and other questions with us at the Centre for Ethics. Registration is free and everyone is welcome! Speakers Yiran Hua, Michael Inzlicht and Paul Bloom will discuss ethical questions surrounding AI companions. **About the Speakers:** [Paul Bloom](https://www.psych.utoronto.ca/people/directories/all-faculty/paul-bloom), Professor, Department of Psychology, University of Toronto * Paul Bloom studies how children and adults make sense of the world, with special focus on pleasure, morality, religion, fiction, and art. He has won numerous awards for his research and teaching. He is past-president of the *Society for Philosophy and Psychology*, and co-editor of *Behavioral and Brain Sciences*. He has written for scientific journals such as *Nature* and *Science*, and for popular outlets such as *The New York Times*, *The Guardian*, *The New Yorker*, and *The Atlantic Monthly*. He is the author of seven books, including his latest *Psych: The Story of the Human Mind*. [Yiran Hua](https://sites.google.com/view/uoftc4e/people), Post-Doctoral Fellow, Department of Philosophy, Centre for Ethics, University of Toronto * Yiran works on ethics and aesthetics. Before coming to Toronto, she was a postdoctoral fellow at the University of Notre Dame’s Institute for Ethics and the Common Good. She received her doctorate from Brown University, and her BA from UNC-Chapel Hill. When doing philosophy, Yiran thinks about intimacy, love and beauty, and social/political relationships. She also has research interests in tech ethics, feminist philosophy, and Chinese philosophy. When not doing philosophy, Yiran is a creative writer. [Michael Inzlicht](https://utsc.utoronto.ca/psych/person/michael-inzlicht), Professor, Department of Psychology, University of Toronto * Professor Inzlicht uses methods borrowed from social psychology, cognitive science, and neuroscience to understand the nature of the mental effort we use to reach our goals and the nature of leisure activities we do for fun. His research includes projects on self-control, motivation, and empathy (work) as well as projects on digital device use, social media, and recreational cannabis use (play). His lab is committed to open and transparent science, which includes publicly posting data and materials, often preregistering studies, and regularly running replication studies. **\* \* \* \* \* \* \* \* \* \* \* \* \* \* \* \* \* \* \* \* \* \* \* \* \* \* \* \*** This is a panel discussion with audience Q&A presented by the University of Toronto's Centre for Ethics that is free to attend and open to the public. Please register in advance [here](https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/ai-companion-event-tickets-1978161502304) to attend. About the Centre for Ethics (http://ethics.utoronto.ca): The Centre for Ethics is an interdisciplinary centre aimed at advancing research and teaching in the field of ethics, broadly defined. The Centre seeks to bring together the theoretical and practical knowledge of diverse scholars, students, public servants and social leaders in order to increase understanding of the ethical dimensions of individual, social, and political life. In pursuit of its interdisciplinary mission, the Centre fosters lines of inquiry such as (1) foundations of ethics, which encompasses the history of ethics and core concepts in the philosophical study of ethics; (2) ethics in action, which relates theory to practice in key domains of social life, including bioethics, business ethics, and ethics in the public sphere; and (3) ethics in translation, which draws upon the rich multiculturalism of the City of Toronto and addresses the ethics of multicultural societies, ethical discourse across religious and cultural boundaries, and the ethics of international society. The Ethics of A.I. Lab at the Centre For Ethics recently appeared on a list of 10 organizations leading the way in ethical A.I.: https://ocean.sagepub.com/blog/10-organizations-leading-the-way-in-ethical-ai

**NO PHILOSOPHY EXPERTISE REQUIRED!** **🏛️ WHAT'S PRACTICAL PHILOSOPHY ABOUT?** Practical Philosophy is a weekly meet-up that brings critical thinkers together for an opportunity to dive deep on a topic, practice communicating, and building a community. All with no ‘official’ philosophy knowledge required! 😎 Practical Philosophy is based on the idea that philosophy should be accessible to all, and not something reserved only for academics. Each week we choose a topic, and the goal is to use the conversation to develop our critical thinking and communication as we explore that topic. The goal is to help develop our Critical Thinking, Communication, and Community 🙌 **📓 HOW DOES IT WORK?** Each week, we pick one topic and discuss it. The topic for the week is shared, generally in the [Whatsapp group](https://chat.whatsapp.com/KRy6VgwgGRm3hSGeYlAzDE), along with jump-off points to get the conversation going. When groups get bigger than 7-8 people, it’s important that we break into smaller groups. This way we are able to maintain a conversational flow as opposed to having our meetups feel like a discourse or lecture. **General Meeting Agenda** Each Practical Philosophy meet-up follows this general timeline: * 19:30-19:45 - People arrive and chat, get to know each other before the official start. * 19:45-19:55 - Meeting introduction, explanation of Practical Philosophy and the topic for the week, read the guidelines and the overview so attendees know what to expect in terms of timelines. * 19:55-21:15 - Break into small groups - introduce yourselves and general thoughts on the topic, open discussion afterwards. At this point the group can review the ‘jump-off’ questions as needed, but they are just there to help guide the conversation. It’s not obligatory to answer them. * 21:15-21:30 - Bring everyone back together to discuss conclusions of the topic - each group gives a short 1-minute summary. Organizer concludes the meeting and everyone takes a group photo. * 21:30 - The official meeting is over but it’s a great opportunity to get to know people in a non-structured environment, so we often stick around, chat, and get to know each other. **🧧PRICING?** Practical Philosophy Club is FREE to attend! We just ask that if we are meeting in a café, buy a beverage! Some chapters rent a space for us to meet, and they may ask for donations to help contribute to the cost of rent. Donations will always be 100% voluntary though! **💛 WHAT PEOPLE SAY ABOUT PRACTICAL PHILOSOPHY** **🗣** “I feel like Philosophy Club helps someone build their own belief system through a series of perspectives while not promoting what’s right and wrong” - Ekam 🗣 “I got hooked from day 1 and felt it was the right place for me. I feel it is a place where people can go to learn and discuss new perspectives and increase critical thinking and community by interacting with people who might challenge your point of views but at the same time encourage you to have openness and mind flexibility.” - Daniel **🤓 FAQ** * **​What will we talk about? What's the topic?** ​The topic for the week is shared every Sunday in the Whatsapp group. We try to add the topic to the comment section on this event page as well but if you don’t see it, the topic and the jump-off points will be in our [Whatsapp](https://chat.whatsapp.com/KRy6VgwgGRm3hSGeYlAzDE). * **Do I need to study or read anything to attend?** No preparation is necessary. This isn’t a study of other thinkers. We want to know what you think about the topic, not what an old philosopher thought. If you have a perspective from a religion or a school of thought to share, throw it on the table and we’ll discuss it. * **Is there a specific philosophy that Practical Philosophy is focused on?** The goal of our meet-ups is to not have dogmatic discussions, and flex our critical thinking muscles. Because of this, we want to hear from every realm of thought, and don't study a particular school. * **Is it mostly men that attend?** Surprisingly, no! Although often, philosophy is seen as a Candelabra affair in a dark room with a bunch of guys, our Practical Philosophy meetups are generally 50/50 between genders, and we don’t meet in any dark rooms. * **Can I come alone?** Of course you can, we encourage it :) * **Can I be late?** Please don't be! We do have a 15 minute grace period where we allow people to funnel in while we hang out, but after that if you arrive too late, it disrupts the flow of the conversation. * **Where do you meet?** The location is posted in Meetup and our [Whatsapp](https://chat.whatsapp.com/KRy6VgwgGRm3hSGeYlAzDE) group for this location. It is HIGHLY RECOMMENDED that you join the Whatsapp group! If you want to know what other cities have a Practical Philosophy Club, you can see our chapters on our [website](https://www.practicalphilosophy.club/practical-philosophy-locations/). **PRACTICAL PHILOSOPHY CLUB - Philosophy, everywhere. ✨** We started in Practical Philosophy back in 2021 and there are now 30+ chapters in over 18 countries, including Canada, Spain, Japan, Mexico and many more! 🗺️ **\*\*\*** **Join our Toronto [Whatsapp Group](https://chat.whatsapp.com/KRy6VgwgGRm3hSGeYlAzDE) 👈** **Follow us on [Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/practicalphilosophyclub/) 👈** **Our [website](https://www.practicalphilosophy.club/) 👈**

**Important! Please register on [Luma Page](https://luma.com/n7h7ynr4)** This event is organised by Projector Institute community and Ukrainian Tech Space DC MD VA Join us for an exclusive evening dedicated to exploring what it truly means to be a Product Designer — and how to manage this role more effectively in today’s fast-changing digital landscape. ​ During this session, we’ll dive into: • The pros and cons of working in product vs. non-product companies • Communication as one of the main design tools • Business-oriented approaches to product design • Practical insights for both junior and senior designers • The use of AI tools and workflows — backed by real-world examples ​ Speaker: [Misha Rybachuk](https://www.linkedin.com/in/mike-rybachuk/) — Co-founder of [Projector Institute](https://prjctr.com/en/about), Art Director at [Lezo.io](https://lezo.io/en), and former designer at Accenture. With over 10 years of experience in interface design, Mike has helped build impactful digital products by merging creativity, strategy, and technology. ​ This event is your opportunity to connect with fellow professionals, gain hands-on insights, and see how design bridges creativity, communication, and business success.

Dulles Code & Coffee is a collaborative community of software and technology enthusiasts seeking to learn, grow, and help each other. All skill levels are welcome. The concept is simple. Bring a laptop and ideas. We’ll provide coffee, tea, and donuts. Thank you to [BTI360](https://www.bti360.com/) for sponsoring this event. ## **Event Format** 1. At 9:15 everyone introduces themselves and briefly describes what brought them out this morning (project, homework, networking, etc.). 2. For the rest of the day folks work in the communal space, socializing and asking/giving help as desired. ## **Location** BTI360’s Office in Herndon The office is across from Worldgate, looking down on the toll road. ## **Address** 12930 Worldgate Dr, Ste 400, Herndon, VA 20170 [[map](https://goo.gl/maps/pF5ZrPUviX1vtmdSA)] ## **Logistics** * **Must be a U.S. Citizen to attend. Real ID verification is required.** * PARKING: Use the surface lot. All spaces marked MIII are open for parking. Please avoid Management spaces, State Farm and SP+ * ARRIVAL: Follow the signs from the front entrance to the freight elevator located in the parking garage on level P2. Take the elevator to Suite 400 (Floor 4). * How to find us video: [https://youtu.be/ohqFzyqiASE](https://youtu.be/ohqFzyqiASE) ## **Community Guidelines** We value the participation of each member of the community and want all attendees to have an enjoyable and fulfilling experience. To ensure a conducive environment, all participants are required to conform to our [code of conduct](https://github.com/DullesCodeCoffee/.github/blob/main/code-of-conduct.md).

HYBRID EVENT, VIRTUAL SPEAKER In this talk, Sean Hoar will explore the transformative journey of AI’s role in modern software engineering, from rapid prototyping (“Vibe Coding”) to strategic AI integration by skilled practitioners. It clarifies the distinctions between AI-assisted, AI-enabled, and practitioner-led approaches, offering insights into how developers can effectively adapt to and harness AI tools. The presentation also highlights recent advancements and practical strategies for leveraging AI in daily workflows and long-term development.

**Cabell Harris** is always thinking, It’s what he does... Ad Man. Designer. Professor. Entrepreneur. Futurist. Cabell’s career began in Richmond, Virginia. Fortunately, he was in the right place at the right time. Richmond was getting national attention as being one of the few creative hot spots outside New York. He continued building his reputation and portfolio by working for many distinguished companies in New York, Boston, and Los Angeles. In Los Angeles, Cabell founded WORK Inc. as an agency for agencies. He returned to his roots and relocated the agency to Richmond in 1995. Few individuals have worked for more agencies or brands than Cabell. Along with managing WORK, creating ad campaigns, corporate identities, packaging products, publishing books, building apps, and taking his own brands and products to market, Cabell was a professor for over 10 years at the VCU BrandCenter. Today, WORK has evolved into a brand consultancy working directly with clients who need innovative thinking. Cabell has been recognized, multiple times, in every major industry award show including Cannes, the Clios, the One Show, New York Addys, Art Directors Club, Graphis, Athena, Andy’s, British Design & Art Direction, Effie’s, Communication Arts, and over 10 Best of Shows for the local Richmond Addy’s. Various publications have also declared him one of the top creatives in the country. March of 2020 Cabell was inducted into the Virginia Communications Hall of Fame. **WORK Labs** is a creative branding agency located in Richmond, Virginia. Whether we’re creating an advertising campaign that will break through the clutter or bringing our own products to market, we know we are ultimately in the idea business. We publish books. We brew our own beer. We’re designers, writers, strategists, professors and students. And we’re all brought together by one common belief: nothing is more compelling than a smart idea, executed well. **Thnk Collecive** is a lifestyle brand and retail store with curated, unique and consciously sourced products for home, gifts, and self-care: * Home & Living * Wellness & Self Care * Apparel & Accessories * Family & Fun Thnk Collective is located at 4913 Grove Ave, Richmond, VA **The Discussion.** This series of hybrid events is perfect for budding entrepreneurs, experienced executive mentors cultivating an entrepreneurial mindset, early-stage investors, and students exploring innovative product design. At each session, business founders serve as guest speakers share about their career, their firm's business model, as well as the successes and challenges in the product development process. Participants learn from the speakers’ experiences, discuss valuable insights, and connect with other entrepreneurs, students, faculty, and investors. **Logistics.** A light lunch is served, as entrepreneurs connect with one another, learn from peers, and contribute to the conversation: * Friday, January 23, 2026 * 11:30am EST - Coffee & Connection * 12:00pm - 1:00pm EST - Presentation & Discussion No pre-registration is required. Join us: Robins School of Business 102 UR Drive, iLab Room 123 University of Richmond, VA 23173 **Parking.** Free parking is available in the U5 and U6 lots immediately adjacent to the Robins School. Please enter the main foyer, turn to the left and proceed to room 123 (EY Innovation Lab) on the ground floor. Please note that visitors have a two-hour parking window. Please sign in when you enter the room, providing your license plate number. **On Zoom Webinar:** https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89608419334?pwd=am0F9r85xPfh7aBaxtdUDILYsvNAwJ.1

## **1 Million Cups Loudoun Workshop: How AI Can Work for Your Business** **Wednesday\, January 28 \| 9:00 AM – 10:00 AM** **Venture X Loudoun – Ashburn** Artificial Intelligence is no longer just a buzzword — it’s a practical tool that businesses of all sizes can begin using today. Join **1 Million Cups Loudoun** for a special **workshop-style presentation** led by **Victor Meer of AI Prime** and **Jay Jay Billings of Band Gap AI**, designed to help entrepreneurs understand how AI can realistically support their business operations. This workshop will provide: * A clear, practical overview of what AI actually is * Real-world examples of how businesses are using AI today * Insight into where automation can save time and reduce friction * Guidance on how to start leveraging AI without needing technical expertise Whether you’re AI-curious, overwhelmed by the noise, or ready to explore automation in your business, this session will help you think clearly about where AI fits — and where it doesn’t. As always, coffee, conversation, and community are at the heart of 1 Million Cups Loudoun. ### What Is 1 Million Cups? 1 Million Cups is a national program powered by the Kauffman Foundation that brings together entrepreneurs and community members for weekly conversations that educate, support, and inspire. Loudoun’s chapter meets on the 2nd and 4th Wednesdays of each month. Join us on **January 14 at 9:00 AM** for coffee, connection, and a meaningful conversation about reimagining after-school education in Loudoun County. **We look forward to seeing you there.**

**PLEASE REGISTER ON THE [LUMA PAGE](https://luma.com/92fskwbl) (only this registration will be valid)​** Ukrainian Tech Space DC MD VA and Projector Global Community are very excited to invite you to the panel discussion “Education in the age of AI” held at the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library on January 24th at 3:30 pm ​Our panelists: ​[Nina Borysova](https://www.linkedin.com/in/nborysova/) uses AI-powered tech in financial data analysis in her role as Director of Product at Mastercard and occasionally asks ChatGPT to help redesign her house in her free time. Her domain, among many others, is obtaining technical knowledge without the traditional IT background. ​[Mike Rybachuk](https://www.linkedin.com/in/mike-rybachuk/) co-founded Projector - the biggest creative and tech educational institution in Ukraine - and is passionate about building professional education that really adds value and supports Ukraine’s strive to rebuild after the devastation of a long war. ​[Andrew Tsintsiruk](https://www.linkedin.com/in/tsintsiruk/) is a seasoned product development executive that brings vast experience of building AI-powered products to this panel. His background as an AI startup founder and broad educational reach with focus on IT and data science adds a blended perspective on the importance of both traditional and self-starter learning efforts, especially as AI continues to enrich the ways we consume new information. ​ Join our discussion, and we promise that you’ll walk away with new knowledge on how AI is disrupting education and get a better understanding of what to focus on in your professional development. ​Moderated by [Maksym Tereshchenko](https://www.linkedin.com/in/maxter/), CEO at Mantis Analytics. ​ Join the discussion to dive into practical challenges, share hands-on experience, and exchange ideas you can start applying right away. Please add the questions you’d like us to bring into the panel discussion. See you!

We will be meeting at Starbucks to learn together. Come with an online class you're already going through or an interest and we will try to connect you with a course where you can learn it. Already have a skill you want to contribute to a Kaggle Datascience competition? We will work on these too! Laptop required :)