Scalability

\*\* RSVP soon to avoid disappointment as seats are strictly limited \*\* We have a very special LSCC this month! We are delighted to welcome Dr. Alistair Cockburn, the renowned agile expert who will host a fun and interactive Ask Me Anything style event where he will answer questions with a story. Bring along your burning questions and Alistair will answer them if he has a relevant story to tell that helps to provide an answer. About Alistair: Dr. Alistair Cockburn (pronounced CO-BURN) was named as one of the “42 Greatest Software Professionals of All Time" in 2020, as a world expert on methodologies, project management, software architecture, use cases and agile development. He co-authored both the Agile Manifesto and the Project Management Declaration of Inter-dependence. Since 2015 he has been working on expanding agile to cover every kind of initiative, including social impact projects, governments, and families. For his latest work, books and services, see his website [alistaircockburn.com/](http://alistaircockburn.com/) Agenda: 6:00-6:30pm - arrive and networking with pizza & drinks 6:30-7:30pm - answering questions with stories 7:30-8pm - networking and drinks 8pm - leave This is a unique opportunity to meet and ask questions to one of the most influential experts in Agile methodologies, project management, and object-oriented design. Food and Drinks Pizza and drinks will be provided upon arrival sponsored by [Codurance](https://www.codurance.com/), with vegetarian and vegan options available.

Date of Travel :- Anytime suits your preference and day of departure. A notice of minimum 3 weeks must be given once confirmation on the trip are finalized. A minimum deposit of US$50 per person is needed to secure your booking and will offset upon confirmation which the balance will be paid to the host on your arrival in Malaysia. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- AFFORDABLE LOCAL HOST PACKAGE IN MALAYSIA ( 8DAYS/7NIGHTS ) Day 1 Arrival Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia - Pick up and transfer to hotel. - Free & easy. - Overnight in KL and dinner. Day 2 After breakfast, drive to outskirt city tour:- - Kuala Ganda Elephant Santuary named Kuala Gandah Elephant Conservation Centre or the Elephant Orphanage Sanctuary. ( 2 hours drive ) - After that proceed to Deer Land. - Overnight in KL Day 3 Kuala Lumpur City Tour Full Day - King Palace - Tugu Malaysia & Parliament House - Batu Caves - KL Tower - Twin Tower ( photo shot ) - National Mosque - Dataran Merdeka & Heritage Building - Overnight in KL Day 4 ( D ) After Breakfast checkout and drive to Taman Negara ( 3-4 hours drive depending traffic ) - Arrival check-in an air-con chalet - Rest and after dinner go for night jungle walk - Overnight/Leisure in Taman Negara Day 5 ( B, L, D ) Taman Negara - Jungle Trekking to Canopy walkway & hiking to Teresek hill. - Rapid shooting ( Boat trip ) - Visiting Aboriginal Settlement ( culture/lifestyle ) - Overnight/Leisure in Taman Negara Day 6 ( B ) After breakfast, check-out and long drive to Malacca ( 5 hours drive ) - Arrival Malacca, check-in and leisure - Overnight in Malacca - Night cruise in Melaka Rriver - Walk Jonker Walk night market. ( weekends only ) Day 7 Malacca full day city tour after breakfast. - St. Paul’s Hill - Cheng Hoon Teng Chinese oldest temple - Malacca clock tower and museum - A’ Famosa Fort - The Stadthuys - Baba Nyona Heritage House - Melaka Sultanate Palace - Menara Taming Sari - Overnight in Melaka or KL city ( depend on situation ) Day 8 Departure Day - Breakfast and have last minute shopping for souvenir - Drive to airport - Bye2 MINIMUN 2 PAXS Cost per person – US$680 ( twin sharing tourist class hotel ) Single supplement - additional US$120 for whole 7nights. MINIMUN 4 PAXS Cost per person - US$600 ( twin sharing tourist class hotel ) Single supplement - additional US$120 for whole 7 nights. ONLY 1 PAX - US$850 Packages includes: - - Vehicle air-con car with host cum driver, fuel, parking & toll charges. - All tourist places as mentioned above. If more time available he will drive you to more places without any charges. - Accommodation for all the 7nights. It is a tourist class hotel with air-con and attached bathroom. Not fantastic room but decent, clean and safe hotel and happening place location. - In Taman Negara full board for 3days/2nights stay including all activities, meals and entrance fees. Excludes :- - All breakfast and meals unless stated. I will assist you to have good authentic local crusine and reasonable cheap. - All entrance fee, boat rides and activities except in Taman Negara. - Camera Fees in Taman Negara ( US$1.50 ) - Shopping and personal effects.

Join us for some fun, competitive, but friendly games at our 4-court sports hall. We use Yonex Mavis 600 Nylon shuttles during the 2-hour session. **PAYMENT** * **Session Fee: £9** * We are cashless, kindly pay the session fee **by midnight** on the night before the session. You are welcome to pay early! You can even pay when you book! See our About page for the full process. * If no payment is received, you will be removed and may even be liable for a late cancellation fee if your spot is not taken. * Please use **“your meetup name + date of event”** as payment reference * **Account name:** Thomas Lam * **Sort code:** 04-00-03 * **Account number:** 7478 8608 **LATE CANCELLATION OR NO-SHOW** * **All** **no-shows or late cancellations** (24 hrs or less) will be charged if your spot is not taken by someone else - you will have a title next to your name with the amount and date owed. * Members with 2 no shows/late cancellations will be removed from the group unless outstanding payment is received * **The late cancellation policy** is set up to discourage last-minute cancellations and therefore applies with or without the presence of a waitlist * **Note:** If you are on the Waitlist and a spot becomes available, you will automatically be bumped onto the On list provided the event has not yet started. It is your responsibility to **remove yourself from the waitlist** if you can no longer make it to avoid being charged a no-show if someone cancels late. **PLAYING** * Please wait to be marked off before entering the hall. * Sessions are to finish promptly on the hour by school requests. * If you finish a match with 5 minutes to go, please start packing up instead of starting a new game. **RACKET HIRE** * Please note that we won't be hiring out rackets, so kindly bring your own racket. **PARKING** * There is parking available, but it is now paid parking. Parking is opposite the entrance. Please check the signs for parking payment instructions. **TRACK & TRACE** * We will collect your phone number on-site. Your phone number will also be used in case of fire to contact you if you have not made it to the fire evacuation areas. You can see maps at the venue. We are excited to see you guys on the court! Team LSBC

**PLEASE VISIT THE WEBSITE TO CONFIRM SESSION DETAILS AND LET US KNOW YOU PLAN TO ATTEND. THIS IS MANDATORY.** **Want to do something useful with your exercise? GoodGym is no ordinary gym. We're a group of people who get fit by doing good - helping out local charities and community groups with physical jobs like shifting compost and planting trees.** **📍 We meet at** **2 High St, London, SE20 8RZ** **at 7:00pm.** **🏃‍♂️ At 7:15pm we'll run, walk or cycle to do a 30-40 minute task.** **🏃‍♂️ Then we'll head back to where we started by 9:00pm, do some stretches and maybe grab a beverage?** It's FREE. It's fun. It's fulfilling. And we're a very friendly bunch. 🍇 — **BOOK ONTO THE SESSION** **To come to the session click here:** https://www.goodgym.org/areas/ealing/happenings **You will need to confirm your attendance on the GoodGym website** (this includes creating an account with us if you haven’t already - it only takes a few mins). The link above takes you to the session listings in your area - if this session doesn’t fit your schedule, you may find something that does so check it out. p.s. GoodGym is a charity and you will be asked whether you’d like to donate when first creating an account. The choice is yours and does not affect your ability to attend a session. — **FAQ** Not sure you'll keep up? GoodGym is for everyone (18+). Whether you've never run before, or are chasing a marathon PB, you are 100% welcome. We always have a back-marker so no one gets left behind. 70% of GoodGym members start as non-runners so if you're new to this kind of thing you will be supported by people who are all on the same journey. 👍 What do I need to wear? Most of us wear gym/running gear. Make sure you're prepared for the weather. Don't feel like you're fit enough? Our tasks are simple and fun. There are easy jobs as well as more challenging things for those who want a workout! The choice is always yours. Do I need to bring anything? Gardening gloves are really useful for a lot of GoodGym tasks. And a head torch too if it’s likely to get dark. Please bring some if you can but there’s no requirement 🧤💡🧤 What is GoodGym? We're a (really lovely) group of people who use our energy to make a difference in our local community (and in communities across the UK!). We often meet on a weeknight, at least once a week, for a session to do good and get fit. We'd love you to come and join us. Any questions, just pop a comment below or send me a message. Find out everything you need to know at goodgym.org

The Data Science Speakers Club is a Toastmasters International club enabling the current and next generation of Data Scientists to improve their Public Speaking Skills. This is a HYBRID Meeting! So join us Online via ZOOM or In-Person. Joining the Data Science Speakers Club means joining a supportive environment to build your confidence in public speaking and to practice speaking in front of an audience. You will also gain the opportunity to receive feedback on your speeches in a friendly environment, including what you have done well and guidance on the areas you can improve upon. We also run a mentorship program where an experienced mentor supports you on your public speaking journey. Meeting Theme: **TBC** Tentative Schedule: 18:30 - President's welcome 18:40 - Prepared Speeches (3 prepared speeches with evaluation) 19:25 - Guest introduction 19:30 - Break 19:40 - Table Topic 20:30 - Wrap up, awards, announcements End of Meeting The theme is to do with exploring various aspects of power, including how it is distributed, challenged, and transformed in different contexts. In the first part, there will be speeches. In the second half, we will have impromptu speeches preparation in groups called Table topics where guests can participate. We meet on the 1st, 3rd, and 5th Mondays of each month from 6:30 pm online. Each meeting is a mixture of prepared speeches by our members, speaking roles, and impromptu speaking challenges by members and guests. Our meetings are free to attend and you only have to speak if you want to. For in-person attendance, snacks will be provided. Entrepreneurs, Innovators, and Mathematical and Logical Thinkers aiming to focus on their communication and leadership development are always welcome to attend our meetings, to increase their self-confidence, become better speakers, and become better leaders. TEAMS LINK: [https://teams.microsoft.com/meet/37924845702312?p=8YYC1dkBEXuIubi2po](https://teams.microsoft.com/meet/37924845702312?p=8YYC1dkBEXuIubi2po "Meeting join") FACEBOOK: [https://www.facebook.com/datasciencespk/](https://www.facebook.com/datasciencespk/) LINKEDIN: [https://www.linkedin.com/company/data-science-speakers-club](https://www.linkedin.com/company/data-science-speakers-club) TWITTER: [https://twitter.com/datasciencespk](https://twitter.com/datasciencespk) INSTAGRAM: [https://www.instagram.com/datasciencespk/](https://www.instagram.com/datasciencespk/)

*This event is supported by [languagecalendars.com](https://www.languagecalendars.com/)* Get **£5 off** their language calendars, posters & tees 👉 use code **HOLA5** or click this link: [https://www.languagecalendars.com/discount/HOLA5](https://www.languagecalendars.com/discount/HOLA5) **🌍 Connecting locals and internationals in London 🌍** Join us every Monday evening in Clapham for the London Language Exchange, where over 40 people gather each week to practice new languages, share cultures, and make new friends. See pics of our previous events on our [Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/babblelondon), and chat to other members who are coming via our [whatsapp group](https://languagexchanges.com/whatsapp/). **🙋 Who is this for?** All languages and levels are welcome, and we are inclusive of all ages, races, religions etc. Whether you're a polyglot, a beginner just starting with Duolingo Spanish, or you just want to come and socialise, you will be welcomed to our community of language learners and international friends. **🙌 What to Expect:** * **Language Practice:** Whether you’re fluent in Spanish, Italian, English, Arabic, Russian, Mandarin, or any other language, our hosts will help you connect with people who match your language interests. * **Friendly Hosts:** Our hosts will greet you at the entrance, give you a label where you can write the language(s) you speak and the ones you’d like to learn or practice. * **Inclusive Atmosphere:** We welcome all languages and levels, and make sure everyone feels comfortable—especially if you're coming alone! It’s a relaxed environment perfect for making new friends and practising languages at your own pace. * **Socialising:** Coming alone or with friends, this is a great opportunity to meet new people in the city. Unlike some other meetup ‘groups’, we do not fill our events with fake members, and you can check how many people attend each week via our [Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/babblelondon). **👋 How does it work?** * **Arrive!** No need to register, just come to our event any time between 7-9pm and our event host will welcome you. They will have an orange lanyard and will be sitting next to our sign. * **Write your ‘Language Label’.** Here you can write your name, the languages you are learning, and the languages you can help others with. * **Pay.** Our £1 event fee pays for our lovely event hosts and keeps the event going. Card only please. * **Get talking!** With the help of our host you will be able to find other people attending the event with compatible language interests - we are all very friendly and the majority of our attendees come alone, so there’s no need to worry about getting involved! **📌 Where are we?** We’re normally located in the back room at O'Neill's in Clapham ([https://g.co/kgs/M4APaFg](https://g.co/kgs/M4APaFg)) 196 Clapham High St, London SW4 7UD However, always check the location on this meetup event and in our [WhatsApp Group](https://languagexchanges.com/whatsapp) just in case there is a change. **💡 Important Info:** Please disregard the attendee numbers shown on Meetup or Facebook. Because we meet at the same time and place every week, many regulars do not sign up beforehand, but we always have a great turnout, often exceeding 40 people. We also have many more participants who join through other platforms. **🔗 Connect With Us:** Stay updated by joining our WhatsApp and Facebook groups or following us on Instagram. You’ll get event updates and stay connected with the community! [https://linktr.ee/londonlanguageexchange](https://linktr.ee/londonlanguageexchange) **FAQ:** **Who is this for?** Anyone interested in languages, from complete beginners to fluent speakers! We welcome all levels and languages. **Do I need to sign up?** You don’t need to sign up, but feel free to join our WhatsApp group for updates and announcements. **Can I come alone?** Absolutely! Many people come solo, and it’s a great way to meet new friends in a relaxed environment. **How does the event work?** When you arrive, you’ll get a sticker to write your native language and the one(s) you’d like to practice. Our hosts will help you find people to chat with based on your preferences. **What if I don’t speak multiple languages?** No problem! Whether you’re fluent or just starting out with a new language, everyone is welcome. **More Questions?** Check out our [full FAQ here](https://languagexchanges.com/what-is-a-language-exchange/) **💛 WHAT THEY SAY** **🗣** “It's so great that people are very friendly and nice here. I practised my English speaking and listening.” - Gerome 🗣 “The language exchange events are a really great way not just to practise languages but also to meet new people in your area. I’ve made many local friends since I moved to the area” - Monika 🗣 “Everything was perfect. The host was so friendly and wonderful!” - Mojtaba 🗣 "It was a lovely language exchange, with lovely people. I practised so much German!" - Sara **About Languagexchanges:** We started in Leeds back in 2014 with the desire to provide a welcoming space that brings people together from all different walks of life, with a shared love of learning languages and culture. We now have communities across the UK including Birmingham, Bristol, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Leeds, London, Liverpool, Manchester, Newcastle, Sheffield and York - [see all our locations.](https://languagexchanges.com/product-category/events/) 👔 Interested in working with us? [https://languagexchanges.com/work-with-us/](https://languagexchanges.com/work-with-us/) ✍️ Feedback form: [https://languagexchanges.com/events-feedback](https://languagexchanges.com/events-feedback) 📩 Email: [info@languagexchanges.com](http://mailto:info@languagexchanges.com/)

**Kindly note that this is a paid event and the average number of attendees for our events is 60-70 people. You can register on [https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/womens-networking-event-women-connector-business-leadership-tickets-1980192562259?aff=meetup](https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/womens-networking-event-women-connector-business-leadership-tickets-1980192562259?aff=meetup)** Connect with inspiring women entrepreneurs, leaders & professionals at the 37th Women Connector® networking event in London. **London’s Leading Women-Only Business Networking Event** **Women Connector®** is one of London’s most established and highly regarded **women-only business networking events**, bringing together women in business, leadership, entrepreneurship, and founding roles. Now in its **36th edition**, Women Connector® is proudly part of the **London Connector® events portfolio**, sharing the same core beliefs and values that define all London Connector gatherings: **Every relationship is human-to-human first**, and business is approached with a **win-win mindset built on trust, respect, and long-term collaboration**. Women Connector® offers a relaxed yet high-quality environment designed to spark **meaningful conversations, authentic relationships, and lasting professional opportunities**. *“Amazing evening and people—wow! Truly fabulous, strong, independent, intelligent, wonderful, kind, friendly, and beautiful souls that I cannot wait to work with, learn from, and grow alongside.”* ❤️💋🥳 — *Attendee feedback from a previous Women Connector®* **Who Attends Women Connector®?** Women Connector® is created for women who value **both professional growth and genuine connection**. Attendees typically include: * Female CEOs and founders * Women entrepreneurs and business owners * Senior business leaders and professionals * Investors and decision-makers * Female members of the hosting **Hay Hill Private Members’ Club** All attendees share a mindset of **ambition, openness, generosity, and collaboration**, reflecting the core London Connector belief in **mutual value creation**. **Event Experience & Programme** ### **6:00 PM – Arrival & Check-In** Guests arrive, register, and are welcomed by the hosts. **This is an exclusive, guest-list-only event.** ### **6:00 – 10:00 PM – Curated Networking** Enjoy a relaxed yet purposeful evening of hosted networking where you can: * Mix and mingle naturally * Be personally introduced to like-minded women * Build meaningful, long-term business relationships You’ll leave with **valuable connections, fresh ideas, new opportunities**, and the uplifting energy that defines every Women Connector® evening. ## **How Women Connector® Helps You Connect** Women Connector® is intentionally designed to remove the awkwardness of traditional networking: * Fully hosted with facilitated introductions * A **private WhatsApp group** created for all attendees * Opportunity to introduce yourself in advance * Begin building relationships **before the event starts** * A warm, inclusive atmosphere where everyone feels welcomed This reflects the London Connector philosophy that **strong relationships come before transactions**. 🔒 **This is a women-only event** ## **Dress Code** Smart casual, chic, or business attire—choose what makes you feel **confident, comfortable, and yourself**. ## **What Women Say About Women Connector®** *“Thank you once again for a wonderful event and the opportunity to meet such amazing women. It was truly empowering—I hope we have many more like this.”* 🙌🏻🤩❤️ *“What a wonderful opportunity to connect with an educated, progressive group.”* *“I’ve attended many networking events, but the energy in the room was particularly warm and buzzy. Thank you for creating such a special space.”* ## **Refund Policy** Tickets are **non-refundable**. If you are unable to attend, you may **transfer your ticket** to another attendee—simply inform us of the replacement name in advance. ## **Event Disclaimer** Please note that **photos and videos may be taken** during the event and used for London Connector® and Women Connector® social media channels and promotional materials. If you prefer not to appear in any photos or videos, kindly inform the host upon arrival and your preference will be fully respected. * [United Kingdom Events](https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/d/united-kingdom/events/) * [Greater London Events](https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/d/united-kingdom--greater-london/events/) * [Things to do in London](https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/ttd/united-kingdom--london/) * [London Networking](https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/d/united-kingdom--london/networking/) * [London Business Networking](https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/d/united-kingdom--london/business--networking/) * [#business](https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/d/united-kingdom--london/%23business/) * [#networking](https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/d/united-kingdom--london/%23networking/) * [#women](https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/d/united-kingdom--london/%23women/) * [#entrepreneur](https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/d/united-kingdom--london/%23entrepreneur/) * [#london](https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/d/united-kingdom--london/%23london/) * [#womeninbusiness](https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/d/united-kingdom--london/%23womeninbusiness/) * [#londonevents](https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/d/united-kingdom--london/%23londonevents/) * [#businessnetworking](https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/d/united-kingdom--london/%23businessnetworking/) * [#women_entrepreneurs](https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/d/united-kingdom--london/%23women_entrepreneurs/) * [#business_professional](https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/d/united-kingdom--london/%23business_professional/)

Elixir London Meetup; February 2026 edition. All are welcome. **Session 1: Bryan Hunt - Faria Data Platform: Building a data platform in Elixir** How to build an ETL pipeline using Amazon Athena, and Elixir: techniques, tools, UX, lessons learned. **Session 2: Christoph Beck** **\- Structured Generation and Logits Processing with Elixir** Ever tried to get a poem from an LLM doesn't contain the letter \`e\`? Large Language Models are kind of amazing and surprisingly unreliable at the same time. Using Elixir's Bumblebee and open source LLMs, you can get much better control over the generation. We introduce you to logits processing, and how it can be used to achieve what ChatGPT can not accomplish. *The event is kindly sponsored by* [Verna](https://verna.earth). **Time** Doors open at 18, start at 18.30. **Venue** Geovation F4, Sutton Yard, 65 Goswell Rd., London EC1V 7EN **Refreshments** Food and drinks will be provisioned on the day. **IMPORTANT**: **If you wish to take photos and post online during the event, please notify organisers first, so that attendees can opt-out from being in photos.**

**🚨**Spoiler alert: We built the space we couldn’t find. A place where you show up alone, say hi first, and meet new people naturally. We celebrate the curious and the hungry—if you’re ready to expand your circle, you’re in the right place. Ps. You can check us out on [Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/_balancers/) 🚨 Find Your People (Over Uno, Murder… and maybe a Chicken vs Hotdog showdown). This isn’t your average board game night. No sitting in one spot for hours. We’re mixing it up with rotating tables, quick rounds, and games made for laughs, chats, and meeting a whole bunch of new faces. Pick your vibe, or try them all: * 🃏 **The Classics** – Think Uno, Cards Against Humanity, Mario Kart (Wii) and other easy favourites * ⚡ **High Energy** – Quick-fire games like 20 Second Rule and Chicken vs Hotdog * 🕵️‍♀️ **Roleplay & Mystery** – Yep, Spy Game and The Killers are back by popular demand 👋 Host Support – Our hosts are low-key legends. Need a hand, a nudge, or a friendly intro? They’ve got you. **After the Games Social, the night doesn’t stop there.** **Your ticket also gives you access to the main Social. We kick things off with a fresh icebreaker to bring everyone together, then a team game, and after 10 the Musician takes over and the vibe turns up.** ✨ **Pro Tips:** ✅📲 **Download our free [app](https://onelink.to/balancers)** to **track your rewards from the games** throughout the night and stay connected with the people you meet after the event. ### **Important Reminders:** 🔹 **Stay connected:** [Join our ](https://chat.whatsapp.com/IJKXDkwUTlmDsYTOCIUg7O)**[WhatsApp group \[here\]](https://chat.whatsapp.com/IJKXDkwUTlmDsYTOCIUg7O)**[ for last-minute updates.](https://chat.whatsapp.com/IJKXDkwUTlmDsYTOCIUg7O) 🔹**Many attendees join via our app, so the Meetup ‘Going’ list only shows part of the crowd.** 🔹 **Coming alone?** Most people do. You don’t need a plus-one to have a great Saturday. Our hosts are on the floor to get you involved in the games and challenges as soon as you arrive. We make it easy to start those first conversations so you can connect with the room naturally. *Remember, our pillars are Openness, Respect, Kindness and Authenticity.* *Attendance at this event is subject to our [Code of Conduct](https://www.balancers.app/code-of-conduct) and [Terms of Service](https://www.balancers.app/term-of-service). By joining, you may receive emails about Balancers events and community updates. You can unsubscribe at any time.*

Hi Architects, Welcome to our the inaugural AWS London Well-Architected User Group Meetup!!! 🥳🥳🥳 The AWS London Well-Architected Meetup is the latest chapter in the most popular AWS Meetup group globally. At each meetup we covered off various pillars of AWS best-practice in detail including insights from industry leaders that specialise in the Well-Architected Framework. And a drones giveaway. We'll be announcing more speakers during the coming months but our speakers this month include: * **Are you Well-Architected? Will Lawrie - Business Development Manager @ AWS** * **Well-Architected as a Business Tool: Translating Pillars into Business Outcomes - James Harding, Technical CSM @ Green Custard** * **Identifying and remediating opportunities -** **Aoife Egan, Customer Optimization Success Solutions Architect II @ AWS** This month's menu will include: * Pizzas * Beer * Wine: Big and red 🤤 So come join us at 5:30 for a 6pm start, followed by beer, wine, pizza and friendly networking after our talks :-) \*\*\*NB: No entry to the building after 6pm. Photo ID required.\*\*\*

🚨 Spoiler alert: We built the space we couldn’t find. A place where you show up alone, say hi first, and meet new people naturally. We celebrate the curious and the hungry—if you’re ready to expand your circle, you’re in the right place. Ps. You can check us out on [Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/_balancers/)🚨 **To get the full experience, just [download our app 📲](https://onelink.to/balancers)—you’ll be able to connect with others, grab the best ticket deals, track the rewards you win, and relive the night through our photo gallery.** 🎉 Get ready for another Social!! Here\`s the plan: 🔥 **7:30 PM – Spark Conversation Begins** Head to the welcome desk to grab your **Spark Conversation game**—your key to breaking the ice in a fun and effortless way! Play the challenge, connect with new people, and **win golden coins for free drinks!** ✨ **Keep the connections going!** ***[Download our app](https://onelink.to/balancers)*** to track your rewards and stay in touch with the people you meet after the event! 🎲 **9:00 PM – Choose Your Vibe:** * **Games Area:** Jump into **silly, lighthearted games—no skills needed!** just jump in, have a laugh, and win prizes! Every week, we feature a **new game** to keep things fresh and fun. 🎉 * **Mingling Zone:** Prefer a relaxed vibe? Grab a drink, chat, and connect in a more laid-back setting. * **Beer Pong & Jenga:** Feeling playful? Challenge someone to a **fun match** and enjoy some friendly competition. * **Welcome Desk:** Need help? Our friendly hosts are here for you! 🎶 **10:00 PM – The Night Turns Up** The vibe picks up! The DJ sets the mood with timeless tunes and crowd favourites, keeping the energy high. Whether you're singing along, swaying to the rhythm, or just soaking in the atmosphere, let the music bring the night to life! ✨ **Pro Tips:** ✅ Start early with **Spark Conversation** to meet people right away. ✅ Explore different areas and find the vibe that suits you. ✅📲 **Download our free [app](https://onelink.to/balancers)** to **track your rewards from the games** throughout the night and stay connected with the people you meet after the event. ### **Important Reminders:** 🔹 **After-party?** Bring your **ID!** 🔹 **Stay connected:** [Join our ](https://chat.whatsapp.com/IJKXDkwUTlmDsYTOCIUg7O)**[WhatsApp group \[here\]](https://chat.whatsapp.com/IJKXDkwUTlmDsYTOCIUg7O)**[ for last-minute updates.](https://chat.whatsapp.com/IJKXDkwUTlmDsYTOCIUg7O) 🔹**Many attendees join via our app, so the Meetup ‘Going’ list only shows part of the crowd.** 🔹 **Coming alone?** Most people do. You don’t need a plus-one to have a great Saturday. Our hosts are on the floor to get you involved in the games and challenges as soon as you arrive. We make it easy to start those first conversations so you can connect with the room naturally. *Remember, our pillars are Openness, Respect, Kindness and Authenticity.* *Attendance at this event is subject to our [Code of Conduct](https://www.balancers.app/code-of-conduct) and [Terms of Service](https://www.balancers.app/term-of-service). By joining, you may receive emails about Balancers events and community updates. You can unsubscribe at any time.*

**Join us for a fireside chat with Claudia Stankler, COO at Connectd, who helped scale the company from zero to $14M ARR.** **Claudia will share the critical decisions behind building a high-performance operations function, from timing that first ops hire to managing distributed teams and maintaining culture through hypergrowth.** **Whether you’re a founder navigating your first scale-up or an operator looking to level up, you’ll leave with actionable frameworks and hard-won lessons from someone who’s been in the trenches.**

## Details Welcome to the DevSecOps London Gathering February Event on Wednesday 19 Feb in collaboration with London DevOps! We bring you two amazing talks, as well as the usual conversations, pizza and beer! 📍 **Hosted at Autogen AI, Pentonville Road, London** 📅 **Wednesday, 19 February** 🕕 **6:00–8:00 PM** ## Talk 1 **Abstract:** Concrete CMS, a popular open-source content management system, contains a critical flaw in its file upload functionality that can be exploited in two distinct ways. This talk demonstrates how a single upload can lead to a Server-Side Request Forgery (SSRF), allowing access to internal cloud resources, and a double race condition that enables Remote Code Execution (RCE) via a malicious backdoor. We’ll walk through the exploitation process, show how existing protections can be bypassed, and highlight practical steps to secure file upload mechanisms in real-world applications. ## Talk 2 **Abstract** Treat authentication as a production-critical system with its own failure modes and operational risks. In this talk, I break down real-world auth incidents involving JWKS rotation errors, refresh token storms, clock drift, and session store outages. I show how to define SLIs and SLOs that measure user impact and how to build monitoring and alerting that expose real reliability problems. I demonstrate practical guardrails such as token caching, exponential backoff with jitter, circuit breakers, and feature-flagged degraded modes. Finally, I walk through an incident runbook that helps teams diagnose, mitigate, and recover from authentication failures safely and quickly.

We're hosting our first meetup of 2026 in collaboration with our friends from **DevSecOps London Gathering**. We'll be generously hosted at the AutogenAI offices near King's Cross, and we'll feature two talks that should be of interest to both audiences. **6:00pm - Arrival** **6:45pm - Introductions** **7:00pm - The Talks** **Concrete Evidence: Two Races, One RCE** - [Adrian Tiron](https://www.linkedin.com/in/tironadrian/) Concrete CMS, a popular open-source content management system, contains a critical flaw in its file upload functionality that can be exploited in two distinct ways. This talk demonstrates how a single upload can lead to a Server-Side Request Forgery (SSRF), allowing access to internal cloud resources, and a double race condition that enables Remote Code Execution (RCE) via a malicious backdoor. We’ll walk through the exploitation process, show how existing protections can be bypassed, and highlight practical steps to secure file upload mechanisms in real-world applications. Adrian is the Co-Founder and Principal Pentester/Red Teamer at Fortbridge, bringing over 20 years of hands-on experience in cybersecurity. Adrian is known for delivering highly technical, practical content drawn from real-world assessments, and is passionate about pushing the boundaries of modern application security. **Keeping login from taking down your product with an SRE approach to auth –** [Viola Lykova](https://www.linkedin.com/in/violaly/) Treat authentication as a production-critical system with its own failure modes and operational risks. In this talk, I break down real-world auth incidents involving JWKS rotation errors, refresh token storms, clock drift, and session store outages. I show how to define SLIs and SLOs that measure user impact and how to build monitoring and alerting that expose real reliability problems. I demonstrate practical guardrails such as token caching, exponential backoff with jitter, circuit breakers, and feature-flagged degraded modes. Finally, I walk through an incident runbook that helps teams diagnose, mitigate, and recover from authentication failures safely and quickly. Viola is a Senior Software Engineer in fintech with an SRE mindset, focused on authentication as a production system. I care about reliability, incident patterns, and the kind of testing that still holds up when traffic spikes, dependencies misbehave, or keys rotate at the worst possible time. Viola speaks on practical auth topics across security and reliability. **Participate in a future Meetup** If you'd like to speak at a future meetup, or if you are able to host or sponsor the event, please fill in this [form](https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1FYGHEWTeBb5vVztGGg2YoUJmKR03o9mZaFIghf6vjzo/viewform?edit_requested=true) and we'll get back to you.

## **1 Million Cups Loudoun – February 25 Business Presentation** **Featuring Jennifer Zitelli, Founder of ESL Thrive** **Wednesday\, February 25 \| 9:00 AM – 10:00 AM** **Venture X Loudoun** Join us at 1 Million Cups Loudoun as we welcome **Jennifer Zitelli**, founder of **ESL Thrive**, for a dynamic conversation focused on workforce communication, business growth, and supporting employees for long-term success. **About the Business** ESL Thrive provides **on-the-job English training designed specifically for business success**. Through customized instruction, Jennifer helps employees gain the language skills they need to communicate effectively, perform confidently, and thrive in their roles — ultimately strengthening the businesses they support. Her programs are tailored to meet the real-world needs of small businesses, ensuring employees learn practical workplace language that directly impacts productivity, team collaboration, and customer experience. **Who Jennifer Is Looking to Hear From** Jennifer is seeking feedback from business owners and leaders in industries such as: * Hospitality * Home services * Restaurants * Retail * Any business with employees whose first language is not English **Current Business Focus & Barriers** As ESL Thrive continues to grow, Jennifer is looking for insight around: * Overcoming barriers to business growth * Strengthening marketing strategy * Expanding business development efforts * Effectively reaching her target markets This is an excellent opportunity to share your perspective while supporting a business dedicated to empowering both employers and employees. **Why Attend?** * Learn about a service that directly impacts workplace success * Provide valuable feedback to a growing business * Connect with fellow entrepreneurs and community leaders * Be part of a collaborative, solutions-focused conversation **What is 1 Million Cups?** 1 Million Cups is a national program that brings entrepreneurs and communities together to learn, connect, and grow through presentations and discussion. Loudoun’s chapter meets on the 2nd and 4th Wednesdays each month. Join us on **February 25 at 9:00 AM** for coffee, connection, and a meaningful conversation about communication, workforce development, and business growth. We look forward to seeing you there!

Styled after a 'pitch competition', this event is for entrepreneurs, and the entrepreneurial-curious. Learn about on-going initiatives from local area founders, and there will be ample time for networking. This event will bring together start-up founders and enthusiasts in the DMV area for an exciting opportunity to hear about a fellow founder, and give feedback on their pitch and product, and get to network around founders from the area. Location: 401 N Washington St, Rockville MD **Our Agenda:** 1\. Basic group introductions 2\. First "Pitch" Presentation \(\~15 minutes\) 3\. Community Q&A 4\. Second "Pitch" Presentation \(\~15 minutes\) 5\. Community Q&A 6\. Break out sessions & general networking More information will be provided as we get closer to the meetup. **Speakers** TBD - Fill out [Speaker Interest Form](https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeOHg0f5Mwhhl6ogz7l_7cezz_bCuqZTOP1zTqxD8z5Tq5d9g/viewform?usp=header) if you're interested in presenting at a Pitch Labs event. Pitch Labs is a member of the [DMV Petri Dish Network](https://www.dmvpetridish.com/ "https://www.dmvpetridish.com/")

Attendance is $35 (cash, credit/debit card, or ApplePay - paid at the door), which includes water/soda/coffee, bread, choice of a plated lunch entrée, and a dessert assortment. Parking is also validated in the Reston Station garages (3 hours of validation). Join one of Northern Virginia's most successful business networking groups (part of BNI). Open to the public and is typically attended by business owners, business developers, and entrepreneurs. Meetings are typically attended by 30-40 members and guests. \*\*\*PLEASE RSVP here: [REGISTER HERE](https://square.link/u/0WvC6Eir) \*\*\*If you do not register on the BNI website, there may not be a seat available for you.

Come celebrate, meet fellow escape room fans, and help us mark 4 awesome years. This mixer-style event is open to *anyone* in the DMV who loves (or wants to try!) escape rooms—no prior events required. **Everyone’s welcome!** Ticket price includes:🧩 Games, 🍰 Cake, 🥨 Appetizers,🍷 Beer & wine, 🎁& more * Base price: $15 * Base price plus an escape room: $70 There's even a special message from a mysterious being known only as 'The Architect' [https://youtu.be/pmz571iV9XY](https://youtu.be/pmz571iV9XY) **RSVPs are being collected outside of Meetup using this link!** [https://forms.gle/CHeng1y4mJCz4iuV8](https://forms.gle/CHeng1y4mJCz4iuV8)

## **1 Million Cups Loudoun – February 25 Business Presentation** **Featuring Seeman Saeed, Founder of LeakzAlert** **Wednesday\, February 25 \| 9:00 AM – 10:00 AM** **Venture X Loudoun** We’re excited to welcome **Seeman Saeed**, founder of **LeakzAlert**, to the 1 Million Cups Loudoun stage to share an innovative solution focused on prevention, protection, and smarter property management. **About the Business** LeakzAlert provides **water leak detection and monitoring services** designed to identify issues early and help prevent costly damage. By delivering proactive alerts and monitoring, LeakzAlert supports property owners and managers in protecting their assets, reducing risk, and avoiding unexpected disruptions. **Who Seeman Is Looking to Hear From** Seeman is eager to connect with professionals across: * Property management * Property maintenance companies * Home insurance providers * Hotels and hospitals * Homeowners * Anyone responsible for facility or property oversight **Current Focus** As LeakzAlert gains traction, Seeman is seeking feedback on: * Sales scalability * Sustainable growth strategies * Expanding market reach * Building strong industry partnerships **Why Attend?** * Learn about a service that directly impacts workplace success * Provide valuable feedback to a growing business * Connect with fellow entrepreneurs and community leaders * Be part of a collaborative, solutions-focused conversation **What is 1 Million Cups?** 1 Million Cups is a national program that brings entrepreneurs and communities together to learn, connect, and grow through presentations and discussion. Loudoun’s chapter meets on the 2nd and 4th Wednesdays each month. Join us on **February 25 at 9:00 AM** for coffee, connection, and a meaningful conversation about communication, workforce development, and business growth. We look forward to seeing you there!

This training is designed for real estate agents who want to learn how to play the Agent Investor game. The goal of this training is to help you flip your income into ownership. ━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━ **Investors move fast. Most agents don’t.** If you can’t evaluate a deal quickly and confidently, you lose credibility—and the opportunity disappears. Deal or Disaster teaches a simple, repeatable framework to determine in minutes whether a deal prints money or burns it. In this session, you’ll learn a 5-minute investment evaluation system that works across flips, rentals, BRRRRs, wholetails, and creative deals. The goal isn’t perfection—it’s speed, clarity, and credibility. We’ll break down: * How to identify the investor’s true goal before running numbers * A fast, reliable method to estimate ARV with confidence * How to calculate the real all-in acquisition cost * Simple heuristics to ballpark rehab and improvement costs * The key metrics that reveal whether a deal works—or should be killed You’ll also learn the most common red flags that signal bad deals, thin margins, and hidden risk, so you know when to pause or walk away. When you can analyze deals in minutes, you earn authority, build trust, and become indispensable to investors. Speed creates opportunity—and opportunity creates repeat business. If you want to move from real estate generalist to trusted investment strategist, this session gives you the framework to do it. ━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━ **Did you miss it?** [Watch all GRID Reston event playback on YouTube](https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLOTh5kxLLJI1G3VH6Pqhlhu0uTA8yrdpi) ━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━ **Join the GRID Facebook Community** [Join the online GRID community here](https://www.facebook.com/groups/gridinvestor) to post deals, ask questions, and connect with other investors across the globe.