VLAB

Digital Contact Tracing: Blazing a Trail Back to Normal?
2020-07-23 18:00 - 20:30 (America/Los_Angeles) | Online Event
Digital Contact Tracing
Blazing a Trail Back to Normal?

Thursday, July 23, 2020
6:00 pm to 8:00 pm

As people around the world deal with the COVID-19 pandemic, everyone everywhere is asking one simple question: when will it end? A key component to answering this all-important question stems from having a more complete understanding of how the disease spreads. This is where contact tracing can play a huge role.
Just about everyone today has a mobile phone, so it makes sense to try to track the movement of these phones to understand the spread of COVID-19. The level of international collaboration is unprecedented, involving governments, health organizations, universities, and private companies. Silicon Valley giants like Google and Apple are leading efforts to develop a shared API that will automatically collect location data on mobile devices. The implications of knowing every person with whom any person has had contact are both enormously beneficial and enormously scary at the same time, but if it works, this contact tracing data could help provide a path back to normal.
Understandably, venture capital firms and startups are working hard (remotely, of course) to incorporate these APIs into existing and emerging apps — and to explore new opportunities in this space. Our panel will discuss the impact of universal adoption of this technology and several related hot-button issues, such as:

What mechanisms are needed to ensure that this location data is not misused?
Will people be willing to sacrifice some privacy to help stop the pandemic?
How will companies and organizations be able to use this data once the crisis has ended?

Join us for our interactive online event on July 23 as we explore digital contact tracing together.

Moderator

Thomas C. Kingsley, Senior Associate Consultant, Mayo Clinic

Panelists

Ramesh Rasker, Founder, PathcheckMIT Safe Paths
Clint Van Marrewijk, Founder and CEO, SaferMe
Mohammad (Mo) Islam, Partner, Threshold Ventures
George Rutherford, Epidemiologist, UCSF

Free Online Event

A Note about Ticket Sales

We understand that many people may be having a rough time during the COVID-19 pandemic. Therefore, the tickets for this online event will be offered free of charge to anyone who is interested in attending.
Normally, ticket sales are our main source of revenue, so VLAB could really use your support. When you register for the event, please consider making a donation to help keep VLAB going.
VLAB is a registered 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, and any help you could provide would be greatly appreciated. We thank you for your support and hope to see you soon.

The Future of Privacy: Will Cryptography and Secure Computation Protect Us?
2020-08-27 18:00 - 20:30 | Online Event
The Future of Privacy
Will Cryptography and Secure Computation Protect Us?

Thursday, August 27, 2020
6:00 pm to 8:00 pm

It is hard to argue with the statement that “data is the new oil.” Unfortunately, the ever-expanding collection of data from social networks, smartphones, and IoT devices has created an alarming trend. Every month, it seems, there is another huge data breach somewhere in the cyberworld, and people are understandably concerned about how well — or even if — their online privacy is being protected. The current pandemic has accelerated the growing demand for sharing health-care data and highlighted the need for digital contact tracing. When exacerbated by the questionable behavior of some online services, this has all simply added fuel to the fire.
Both governments and private companies have been trying to assuage these fears. Governments have passed new laws and regulations, such as the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA). And emerging technologies, including secure multiparty computation (MPC), Fully Homomorphic Encryption (FHE), and zero-knowledge proofs (ZKP) are attempting to put stronger protection in place. But is this enough?
In this VLAB event, a panel of experts in cryptography, privacy, and security — including trailblazing startups, Internet giants like Google, and VCs focused on this field — will discuss the role of cryptography and secure computation and examine the impact that these technologies could have on protecting privacy.

Can companies effectively balance the desire for data and the needs of consumers?
Will new technologies be strong enough to provide proper protection?
How can entrepreneurs leverage this opportunity?

Join us on August 27 to find out.

Moderator

Patrick Lincoln, Director of Computer Science Lab, SRI

Panelists

Kurt Rohloff, Co-founder and CTO, Duality Technologies
Vishwanath Raman, Product and Engineering, Oasis Labs
Moti Yung, Research Scientist, Google; Adjunct Research Professor, Columbia University
Chenxi Wang, Managing General Partner, Rain Capital

Free Online Event

A Note about Ticket Sales

We understand that many people may be having a rough time during the COVID-19 pandemic. Therefore, the tickets for this online event will be offered free of charge to anyone who is interested in attending.
Normally, ticket sales are our main source of revenue, so VLAB could really use your support. When you register for the event, please consider making a donation to help keep VLAB going.
VLAB is a registered 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, and any help you could provide would be greatly appreciated. We thank you for your support and hope to see you soon.

Telehealth Hypergrowth: Will Virtual House Calls Replace Office Visits?
2020-10-01 18:00 - 20:30 | Online Event
Telehealth Hypergrowth
Will Virtual House Calls Replace Office Visits?

Thursday, October 1, 2020
6:00 pm to 8:00 pm

Using technology to deliver health care from a distance has been available for decades. In recent years, telehealth usage has steadily increased, and many large medical groups today offer telehealth services. A growing number of both physicians and patients are satisfied with their telehealth experience and enjoy the convenience and efficiency resulting from removing the need to travel to a doctor’s office. However, despite its many advantages, telehealth has been slow to catch on, partly due to barriers involving regulations and licensing issues.
With the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, telehealth is suddenly understood to be the safest way to see patients. This realization has been accompanied by the accelerated innovation and adoption of new telehealth technologies, and the U.S. government has eased regulations regarding reimbursement and licensing. As a result, the use of video visits has surged dramatically. For example, the average number of weekly telehealth visits for non-HMO Medicare patients increased from about 13,000 pre-pandemic to nearly 1.7 million in the last week of April 2020.
As a result, interest in telehealth technology has understandably surged among entrepreneurs and investors. Digital health has quickly become one of the most heavily invested sectors in the startup community, with telehealth being the number one top-funded category. Is telehealth here to stay or will the excitement dissipate when the pandemic ends? In this online event, our panel of entrepreneurs, investors, and health professionals will discuss the realities, roadmaps, and future potential of telehealth.

What are the biggest barriers to expanding the adoption of telehealth services?
How can telehealth startups gain a competitive advantage over existing platforms?
How can extending telehealth services to underserved areas help reduce health disparities?

Join us on October 1 to find out.

Moderator

Jack Higgins, MD – President & Chief Medical Officer, Global Telehealth Network

Panelists

Brad Younggren, MD – Chief Medical Officer, 98point6
Albert Chan, MD – Chief of Digital Patient Experience, Sutter Health
Alpa Sanghavi, MD – Chief Quality and Patient Experience Officer, San Mateo Medical Center
Sunny Kumar, MD – Partner, GSR Ventures

Free Online Event

A Note about Ticket Sales

We understand that many people may be having a rough time during the COVID-19 pandemic. Therefore, the tickets for this online event will be offered free of charge to anyone who is interested in attending.
Normally, ticket sales are our main source of revenue, so VLAB could really use your support. When you register for the event, please consider making a donation to help keep VLAB going.
VLAB is a registered 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, and any help you could provide would be greatly appreciated. We thank you for your support and hope to see you soon.

Carbon-Friendly Concrete: Can We “Build” Our Way Out of the Climate Crisis?
2020-10-27 18:00 - 20:30 | Online Event
Carbon-Friendly Concrete
Can We “Build” Our Way Out of the Climate Crisis?

Tuesday, October 27, 2020
6:00 pm to 8:00 pm

Record-breaking temperatures. Millions of acres engulfed in wildfires. Storms that are stronger and more frequent than at any time in recorded history. The effects of the rise in greenhouse gasses in our atmosphere seem to be more devastating every year.
While many of the major contributors to the climate crisis are familiar to most of us — automobiles, power plants, factories, agriculture, etc. — there is one source that may surprise you: concrete. With the explosion of construction in developing and developed countries around the globe, the production of concrete accounts for approximately 7% of annual carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions.
As the demand for more construction globally continues unabated, the world is building the equivalent of twelve New York Citys every year! Several companies are exploring ways to reduce the carbon footprint of concrete and cement — and even make them carbon-negative. These new technologies could scale to trap up to 25% of yearly CO2 emissions. When the market size for concrete and cement is $440B worldwide, there is ample potential to make money and make progress toward saving the planet.

How are startups maximizing the potential of carbon-negative concrete and cement?
Will synthetic materials fill a role in the construction industry?
How will concrete and cement be able to terraform our planet?

Join us on October 27 to find out.

Moderator

Marcius Extavour, Ph.D., Executive Director, NRG COSIA Carbon XPRIZE, Xprize Foundation

Panelists

Brent Constantz, Ph.D., Founder & CEO, Blue Planet Ltd.
Tom Schuler, CEO, Solidia Technologies Inc.
Jeremy Gregory, Ph.D., Executive Director of the Concrete Sustainability Hub, MIT
Arvind Gupta, Partner, Mayfield Fund

Free Online Event

A Note about Ticket Sales

We understand that many people may be having a rough time during the COVID-19 pandemic. Therefore, the tickets for this online event will be offered free of charge to anyone who is interested in attending.
Normally, ticket sales are our main source of revenue, so VLAB could really use your support. When you register for the event, please consider making a donation to help keep VLAB going.
VLAB is a registered 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, and any help you could provide would be greatly appreciated. We thank you for your support and hope to see you soon.

Eliminating Passwords: Does Abolishing the Password Create Stronger Security?
2021-02-16 18:00 - 20:30 | Online Event
Eliminating Passwords
Does Abolishing the Password Create Stronger Security?

Tuesday, February 16, 2021
6:00 pm to 8:00 pm

Passwords are a source of endless frustration — for both users and organizations. According to Verizon’s Data Breach Investigation Report, 81% of data breaches are caused by compromised, weak, and reused passwords. They often lead to employee downtime and abandoned shopping carts. In today’s networked economy, passwords may no longer be a suitable tool for protecting access.
Moreover, password issues can have a huge financial impact on businesses, as a result of recovering from data breaches, employee downtime, and rebuilding corporate reputations. In 2020, cybercrime cost the global economy $2.9M every minute. Even regular maintenance itself is extremely expensive, with most enterprises spending more than $1M per year just to reset passwords. And the problem is getting worse. Data breaches have both a significant short-term impact — with an average cost of $8.9M per breach — and long-term consequences, as billions of login credentials from these breaches are circulated across the dark web.
Fortunately, help is on the way. Several startups are working on new solutions that could eliminate the need for passwords by replacing them with simpler and stronger forms of authentication, often leveraging physical security keys and biometrics. These new authentication technologies have the potential to completely transform digital security.
In our upcoming VLAB panel discussion, industry experts and entrepreneurs will discuss the future of password-less authentication and how companies can build it into their security plans.

What are the current in-market solutions and how effective are they?
How can companies successfully transition to password-less authentication?
What are the opportunities for entrepreneurs and technologists?

Join us on February 16 to find out.

Moderator

Andrew Shikiar, Executive Director & CMO, FIDO Alliance

Panelists

Ori Eisen, Founder & CEO, Trusona
Stina Ehrensvärd, CEO & Co-founder, Yubico
Candace Worley, CPO, Ping Identity
Asheem Chandna, Partner, Greylock Partners

Check out these videos from our event partners:
Trusona
Yubico

Free Online Event

A Note about Ticket Sales

We understand that many people may be having a rough time during the COVID-19 pandemic. Therefore, the tickets for this online event will be offered free of charge to anyone who is interested in attending.
Normally, ticket sales are our main source of revenue, so VLAB could really use your support. When you register for the event, please consider making a donation to help keep VLAB going.
VLAB is a registered 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, and any help you could provide would be greatly appreciated. We thank you for your support and hope to see you soon.

Founders’ Series: Raising Capital During the Pandemic
2021-03-24 18:00 - 20:30 | Online Event
Founders' Series

Raising Capital During the Pandemic

Wednesday, March 24, 2021Fireside Chat: 6:00 pm – 6:30 pm
“Hot Seat” Startups: 6:30 pm – 6:50 pm *
Q&A: 6:50 – 7:00 pm
* 3-4 selected founders from audience will be featured on the virtual stage.

The COVID-19 pandemic has introduced an extraordinary set of new challenges for both startups and venture capital investment funds. Startups are finding that their networking opportunities have shrunken dramatically, and VCs are forced to make investment decisions in a virtual environment and put their investment portfolios under increasingly rigorous scrutiny.
Despite these challenges, however, the pandemic has also created new opportunities. Startups are exploring new ways to apply their technologies, and VCs are discovering exciting new investment possibilities.
In this VLAB Founders’ Series event, Paul Asel, managing partner at NGP Capital, will share his thoughts concerning the pandemic investment atmosphere and provide advice for startup founders about addressing current challenges and opportunities:

Will it be more difficult to get VC investment in 2021 than prior to the pandemic?
How have VCs changed their investment criteria during the pandemic?
Are there specific kinds of business models that are more attractive to VCs?
What alternatives to VC investment should founders consider in 2021?
What will be the key factors for VCs post-pandemic?

In addition to a general discussion about these topics, a few select founders will have the opportunity to get in the “hot seat” and receive some individual counseling about their unique situations.
Join us on March 24, 2021, for this exciting and thought-provoking fireside chat.

Our Panelists

Speaker

Paul Asel, Managing Partner, NGP Capital
Paul is a managing partner at NGP Capital, a global venture firm with $1.2 billion assets under management and offices in Europe, China, and the United States. He has realized over 20 successful exits throughout his career, including 5 IPOs and four exits exceeding $1 billion, of which UCWeb and Ganji are two of the largest technology acquisitions in China. Current investments include Workfusion, Lime, Fetchr, Juvo, Next Trucking, Scoop, Zoomcar, and Zum.
Prior to NGP Capital, Paul led technology investments in Southeast Asia at the International Finance Corporation. He received an MBA from Stanford University and a BA from Dartmouth College. Paul is co-author of Upward Bound: Lessons of How Nine Leaders Achieved Their Summits. Follow Paul on Twitter and Medium: @PaulAsel.

Moderator

Ravi Belani, Managing Director, The Alchemist Accelerator
Ravi Belani is the Fenwick & West Lecturer of Entrepreneurship at Stanford University and Managing Director of the Alchemist Accelerator, an enterprise seed accelerator backed by Cisco, DFJ, Khosla Ventures, Salesforce, Sapphire Ventures, and USVP. Alchemist grads include MightyHive, Rigetti Quantum Computing, and Zipongo.
Ravi formerly spent six years as part of the investment team at Draper Fisher Jurvetson’s Menlo Park global headquarters, where he led investments and served on the boards as the first institutional investor in companies such as Justin.TV & Twitch (acquired by Amazon for $970m), Pubmatic, Vizu (acq’d by Nielsen), and Yield Software (acquired by Autonomy). Ravi formerly worked in product management at two Kleiner Perkins enterprise startups, and as a consultant in McKinsey and Company’s San Francisco office. Ravi is a Phi Beta Kappa and Tau Beta Pi graduate of Stanford University, holding a BS with Distinction and MS in Industrial Engineering. Ravi also holds an MBA from Harvard Business School.

Free Online Event

A Note about Ticket Sales

We understand that many people may be having a rough time during the COVID-19 pandemic. Therefore, the tickets for this online event will be offered free of charge to anyone who is interested in attending.
Normally, ticket sales are our main source of revenue, so VLAB could really use your support. When you register for the event, please consider making a donation to help keep VLAB going.
VLAB is a registered 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, and any help you could provide would be greatly appreciated. We thank you for your support and hope to see you soon.

About the VLAB Founders’ Series
Founders’ Series events provide a unique opportunity for startups and technologists to take part in an interactive session. Come prepared with your burning questions!
If you would like to have the rare opportunity to take the “Hot Seat” on stage to receive feedback from the speakers, please be sure to enter your question in the field below. Startup founders selected for the “Hot Seat” will be notified in advance.
For all other questions, please contact founders.series@vlab.org.
Note: Founder's Series tickets are for startup founders and are subject to approval. Please allow 24-48 hours for final ticket confirmation.

Indoor AgTech: Planting the Seeds of a Better Food Supply
2021-05-27 18:00 - 20:30 | Online Event
Indoor AgTech
Planting the Seeds of a Better Food Supply

Thursday, May 27, 2021
6:00 pm to 8:00 pm

The indoor AgTech market is poised to revolutionize the food supply system, disrupting conventional “open field” and greenhouse growers. As population growth, urbanization, and climate change reshape the farming landscape — both figuratively and literally — traditional farming is facing new and increasing challenges. Extended droughts, record-breaking cold, floods, and wildfires have resulted in tens of billions of dollars in crop losses across the country and around the globe. An estimated 90% of crop losses in the United States are caused by extreme weather (source: U.S. Department of Agriculture).
Moreover, the distance over which crops must be transported typically exacerbates farming’s carbon footprint, and there is growing demand for easy and affordable access to fresh and nutritious produce in regions and neighborhoods that historically have been underserved.
Taking farming indoors may provide a solution for these and myriad other issues. Recent advances have created a confluence of technologies that extend indoor farming far beyond conventional greenhouses. From environmental controls, energy-efficient lighting systems, and robotics to genetics, AI-based crop management, and automated harvesting, both small startups and large agribusiness enterprises are exploring ways to maximize indoor crop yields, enhance product quality, and promote hyper-local production and distribution.
In our upcoming VLAB panel discussion, industry experts and entrepreneurs will discuss the opportunities and the challenges associated with controlled environment farming — and help “separate the wheat from the chaff.”

To what extent will current greenhouse and field growers be disrupted?
Which technologies and business models have the greatest potential to make an impact?
Are we ready to bet the farm on indoor AgTech?

Join us on May 27 to find out.

Moderator

Gene Giacomelli, Professor, Biosystems Engineering Department, University of Arizona

Panelists

Sam Bertram, CEO, OnePointOne
Sam Schatz, Managing Director & Global Head of Farm Development, AeroFarms
Marta Baptista, Global Director of Strategic Research and Technology Adoption, Driscoll’s Berries
Michael Rose, Partner, Better Food Ventures

Free Online Event

A Note about Ticket Sales

We understand that many people may be having a rough time during the COVID-19 pandemic. Therefore, the tickets for this online event will be offered free of charge to anyone who is interested in attending.
Normally, ticket sales are our main source of revenue, so VLAB could really use your support. When you register for the event, please consider making a donation to help keep VLAB going.
VLAB is a registered 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, and any help you could provide would be greatly appreciated. We thank you for your support and hope to see you soon.

Robotic Process Automation: A “Magic Switch” for Enterprises?
2021-09-29 18:00 - 20:30 | Online Event
Robotic Process Automation
A “Magic Switch” for Enterprises?

Wednesday, September 29, 2021
6:00 pm to 8:00 pm

The digital transformation of enterprises across the globe has been a key driver of innovation in recent years, fundamentally changing the way a company operates and delivers value to its customers. As enterprises continue to explore new ways to integrate digital technology into every aspect of their business, Robotic Process Automation (RPA) is poised to accelerate this transformation even further. RPA is one of the fastest-growing segments of the global enterprise software market, with the RPA market expected to reach ≈$2 billion in 2021 and an expected CAGR of ≈32% until 2028.
Simply put, RPA uses software-based “robots” to automate business tasks and processes. By analyzing data from a wide spectrum of sources, RPA tools gather the intelligence needed to process a transaction, trigger responses, and communicate with other digital systems. Tasks executed by RPA may be as simple as filling in forms or as complex as integrating artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) tools to perform cognitive processes.
The ability to complete these tasks automatically has several substantial benefits for enterprises, from significantly reducing operating costs to minimizing or even eliminating human error. Moreover, RPA systems are designed to be enterprise-ready. They’re easy to deploy (using a low-code development platform) and extremely scalable. For most installations, there is no disruption to underlying systems and minimal upfront investment. The return on investment (ROI) for implementing RPA is both immense and immediate.
In our upcoming VLAB panel discussion, thought leaders, founders, and investors will explore how businesses and entrepreneurs can take advantage of the oncoming RPA wave.

What are the challenges of enterprise-wide deployment of RPA?
Which industry sectors are poised to be disrupted by RPA? Which will benefit?
What threats does RPA pose to the human workforce in the next 5 years?

Join us on September 29 to find out.

Moderator

Pascal Bornet, Member and Contributor, Forbes Technology Council

Panelists

Dmitry Karpov, Founder, ElectroNeek Robotics
Babu Sivadasan, Chairman and CEO, Jiffy.ai
Prince Kohli, CTO, Automation Anywhere
Josh Shirazi, Principal Investor, Alkeon Capital Management

Free Online Event

A Note about Ticket Sales

We understand that many people may be having a rough time during the COVID-19 pandemic. Therefore, the tickets for this online event will be offered free of charge to anyone who is interested in attending.
Normally, ticket sales are our main source of revenue, so VLAB could really use your support. When you register for the event, please consider making a donation to help keep VLAB going.
VLAB is a registered 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, and any help you could provide would be greatly appreciated. We thank you for your support and hope to see you soon.

Founders’ Series: The Great SPAC Explosion of the 2020s
2021-11-09 18:00 - 20:30 | Online Event
Founders' Series

The Great SPAC Explosion of the 2020s
Are SPACs Better than IPOs or Acquisitions?

Tuesday, November 9, 2021
6:00 pm to 8:00 pm
(Pacific time)

The popularity of using a special-purpose acquisition company (SPAC) to go public has exploded, and SPACS have significantly disrupted the path to liquidity for a growing number of startups. In 2020, there were more SPAC transactions than traditional IPOs, and this number has continued to increase substantially. So far in 2021, there have been almost four times the number of SPAC transactions than traditional IPOs, with the value of SPACs more than double that of traditional IPOs.
Despite this dramatic growth, one key question remains: are SPACs really the best exit strategy for a startup? SPACs may not be appropriate for every startup, and founders considering the SPAC option should understand the advantages and disadvantages when deciding whether a SPAC makes sense for their company.
For our next event, VLAB has assembled a panel of experts, entrepreneurs, and investors with considerable SPAC experience. The panel will examine the pros and cons of “going SPAC” and review the key elements needed for a successful SPAC. While the conversation may examine the issue more from a founder’s perspective, the panel will also discuss the opportunities and risks for investors in SPAC transactions. The panel will also review some of the important regulatory issues related to SPACs.
In addition to the moderated discussion, the panel will also field questions from the audience and provide specific, relevant advice for both what-if and real-world situations. Startups attending this event should leave with a better understanding of whether they would be a good candidate for a SPAC.

What are the benefits of a SPAC related to pricing, speed, and flexibility?
How should startups evaluate a SPAC vs. alternative strategies?
What are the regulatory implications and ramifications of SPACs?

Join us on November 9 to find out.

Moderator

Manny Fernandez, Founder & Angel Investor, SF Angels Group

Panelists

Lise Buyer, Partner and Founder, Class V Group
Scott Leonard, Founder and CEO, Sustainable Opportunities Acquisition Corporation
John H. Booher, Partner, Sheppard Mullin

Free Online Event

A Note about Ticket Sales

We understand that many people may be having a rough time during the COVID-19 pandemic. Therefore, the tickets for this online event will be offered free of charge to anyone who is interested in attending.
Normally, ticket sales are our main source of revenue, so VLAB could really use your support. When you register for the event, please consider making a donation to help keep VLAB going.
VLAB is a registered 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, and any help you could provide would be greatly appreciated. We thank you for your support and hope to see you soon.

About the VLAB Founders’ Series
Founders’ Series events provide a unique opportunity for startups and technologists to take part in an interactive session. Come prepared with your burning questions!
If you would like to have the rare opportunity to take the “Hot Seat” on stage to receive feedback from the speakers, please be sure to enter your question in the field below. Startup founders selected for the “Hot Seat” will be notified in advance.
For all other questions, please contact founders.series@vlab.org.
Note: Founder's Series tickets are for startup founders and are subject to approval. Please allow 24-48 hours for final ticket confirmation.

Founders’ Series: Investing in the Next Wave of NFTs
2022-04-28 18:00 - 20:30 | Online Event
Founders' Series

Investing in the Next Wave of NFTs
Unique Opportunities or Just Another Asset Class?

Thursday, April 28, 2022
Fireside Chat: 6:00 pm – 6:30 pm
“Hot Seat” Startups: 6:30 pm – 6:50 pm *
Q&A: 6:50 – 7:00 pm
* 3-4 selected founders from audience will be featured on the virtual stage.

The evolution of blockchain-based digital assets has continued to create new opportunities, markets, companies, and products around the globe, attracting ever-increasing levels of capital inflow and furthering the approaching transition from Web2 to Web3. Leveraging the power of blockchain, decentralization, and smart contracts, the non-fungible token (NFT) is a special class of asset that is uniquely identifiable and non-interchangeable. NFTs are different from cryptocurrencies in that they are defined by metadata that ensures that their intrinsic role, function, and value are unique.
With sales now averaging $160 million dollars per day and a total market cap of over $23 billion, NFTs are innovating, disrupting, and transforming industries in several unique ways — including the digitalization of physical assets, arts, media, and gaming; the monetization of virtual assets in the metaverse; and the ownership and distribution of assets.
If founders and entrepreneurs want to capitalize on the potential of NFTs, there remain several challenges that they need to overcome — for example, volatility, plagiarism, regulatory implications, financial risk, cyber security, and standardization.
In this VLAB Founders’ Series event, Michael del Castillo, senior editor at Forbes, and Jordan Woods, founding partner at StarChain Ventures, will share their thoughts concerning the atmosphere for investing in NFT technology and provide advice about addressing current challenges and opportunities:

How can investors capitalize on this potential outgrowth opportunity?
What are the do’s and don’ts when raising capital for NFT companies?
What are the perceived risks, opportunities, and regulatory implications now and in the future?

In addition to the fireside chat, a few select founders will have the opportunity to get in the “hot seat” and receive individual counseling about their unique situations.
Join us on April 28 to help us explore.

Our Panelists

Speaker

Jorden Woods, Founding Partner, StarChain Ventures
Jorden is a Caltech-trained astrophysicist, successful 3-time serial entrepreneur with exits, and a pioneer in Web3 decentralized technologies & online globalization strategy. He is a founding partner at StarChain Ventures, a Silicon Valley-based venture studio solving significant global challenges with Web3/Blockchain plus other advanced technologies such as AI/ML and IoT – a core thesis of his best-selling book, Enterprise Blockchain Has Arrived, co-authored with Radhika Iyengar. Jorden is the host of The Future of Business, an educational videocast series focused on business opportunities with Web 3 the Metaverse. He is also a managing partner at DoubleNova Group, a boutique Silicon Valley-based management consultancy advising the Global 2000 and top startups on advanced tech & global markets.
Jorden has raised over $200 million from top-tier Silicon Valley and global investors for both his own companies and advised startups. His first company GlobalSight became a market leader and was rated as one of the “Top 50 Private Companies in the World” by both the Red Herring and Upside magazines. His second company, in 2002, was focused on decentralized technologies and what we now call the Metaverse (the 3D Web). He has also generated millions of dollars in revenue, managed a $15M P&L, and expanded startups both nationally and internationally. Jorden has a successful track record leading strategy and technology initiatives with Fortune 500 organizations generating millions in positive ROI.

Moderator

Michael del Castillo, Senior Editor, Crypto and Blockchain, Forbes
As the senior editor covering cryptocurrencies and blockchain applications at Forbes magazine, Michael reports on how those technologies are being adopted by enterprises and the broader business community. His coverage includes the use of cryptocurrencies and extends to non-cryptocurrency applications of blockchain in finance, supply chain management, digital identity, and a number of other use cases.
Previously, he was a staff reporter at blockchain news site, CoinDesk, where he covered the increasing willingness of enterprises to explore how blockchain could make their work more efficient and in some cases, unnecessary. Michael has been covering blockchain since 2011, been published in the New Yorker, and been nationally syndicated by American City Business Journals. His work has been published in Blockchain in Financial Markets and Beyond by Risk Books, and he is regularly cited in industry research reports. Since 2009, Michael has run Literary New York, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to showing Manhattan’s rich literary heritage.

Free Online Event

A Note about Ticket Sales

We understand that many people may be having a rough time during the COVID-19 pandemic. Therefore, the tickets for this online event will be offered free of charge to anyone who is interested in attending.
Normally, ticket sales are our main source of revenue, so VLAB could really use your support. When you register for the event, please consider making a donation to help keep VLAB going.
VLAB is a registered 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, and any help you could provide would be greatly appreciated. We thank you for your support and hope to see you soon.

About the VLAB Founders’ Series
Founders’ Series events provide a unique opportunity for startups and technologists to take part in an interactive session. Come prepared with your burning questions!
If you would like to have the rare opportunity to take the “Hot Seat” on stage to receive feedback from the speakers, please be sure to enter your question in the field below. Startup founders selected for the “Hot Seat” will be notified in advance.
For all other questions, please contact founders.series@vlab.org.
Note: Founder's Series tickets are for startup founders and are subject to approval. Please allow 24-48 hours for final ticket confirmation.

Accelerating through the Turn: Which Electric Cars Will Get the Checkered Flag?
2022-11-15 18:00 - 20:30 | Online Event
Accelerating through the Turn
Which Electric Cars Will Get the Checkered Flag?

Tuesday, November 15, 2022
6:00 pm to 8:00 pm
(Pacific time)

It is no secret that the global automotive landscape is undergoing a monumental transformation from internal combustion engines (ICEs) to engines using alternative, carbon-friendly fuel sources. Perhaps the most well-known of these new automobile designs is the battery-powered electric vehicle (BEV). BEVs are being chosen to drive the future (pun intended) for several key reasons. BEVs typically have better fuel economy and lower fuel costs than ICE vehicles, and their reduced carbon emissions can help achieve global sustainability goals.
The demand among consumers for BEVs continues to accelerate, and governments have jumped on the bandwagon, adopting new measures to reduce or eliminate the production of gas-powered vehicles. These market-shifting developments have ignited both established manufacturers and startups, and industry leaders are placing huge bets on an all-electric future. With over 1 billion cars on the road today, the stakes are enormous.
Understandably, these massive numbers have attracted massive amounts of capital, and companies are scrambling to take the pole position and adopt a “BEV-first” mentality. For example, Stellantis has invested a staggering $35 billion in the BEV space, and Ford has invested $20 billion to facilitate the BEV transition in its product line. Large deployments of capital can also be seen on even small BEV startups, and the transportation sector has become the fourth-largest investment sector among VCs.
In our upcoming VLAB panel discussion, thought leaders, founders, and investors will discuss the key challenges and opportunities in the BEV space and whether legacy automakers will be quick and nimble enough to keep up with or overtake the BEV startups.

What are the key challenges faced by BEV startups and incumbents?
What new incentives are governments providing to help accelerate BEV adoption?
Which companies have the inside track in the BEV race?

Join us on November 15 to find out.

Moderators

John McElroy, Host, Autoline Daily
Sandy Munro, Chief Executive Officer, Munro & Associates

Panelists

Chris Anthony, Chief Executive Officer, Aptera
Volker Kaeser, Chief Technology Officer, Indigotech
Alexei Andreev, Managing Director, Autotech Ventures

Free Online Event

A Note about Ticket Sales

We understand that many people may be having a rough time during the COVID-19 pandemic. Therefore, the tickets for this online event will be offered free of charge to anyone who is interested in attending.
Normally, ticket sales are our main source of revenue, so VLAB could really use your support. When you register for the event, please consider making a donation to help keep VLAB going.
VLAB is a registered 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, and any help you could provide would be greatly appreciated. We thank you for your support and hope to see you soon.

Founders’ Series: A New Model for Startup Success
2023-04-18 18:00 - 20:30 | San Francisco, CA
Founders' Series

A New Model for Startup Success
Navigating Funding Challenges in 2023

Tuesday, April 18, 2023
Fireside Chat: 6:00 pm – 6:30 pm
“Hot Seat” Startups: 6:30 pm – 6:50 pm *
Q&A: 6:50 – 7:00 pm
* 3-4 selected founders from audience will be featured on stage.

Following a similar pattern in past economic downturns, changing factors in the current economic environment — including inflationary pressures, market uncertainties, and risk aversion — have caused massive disruptions among startups and venture capitalists (VCs), and the ripple effects are extending across the entire community of founders and investors.
Showing a promising outlook into the future is no longer enough to get the funding that companies need to deliver on their ideas. Consequently, a potential nose-dive in available funding has shifted from a what-if scenario to become a harsh reality. Compared to the previous year, funding from VCs decreased by over 30% in 2022.
Despite the abundant negativity surrounding the current investment atmosphere for startups, there is a counterargument that now might be a good time to invest in startups and VC funds, for a variety of reasons:

Lower current valuations of startups
Increased accessibility to top talent
Ability of VCs to “stretch” their money longer
Better discipline in the decision-making process

The net result is increased pressure on VC firms to improve the efficiency of their funds, enhance productivity, and reach their targets — all of which translates into higher returns for shareholders.
In this VLAB Founders’ Series event, André Thiollier (partner and business attorney at Foley & Lardner LLP) will moderate a “fireside chat” with SC Moatti (managing partner at Mighty Capital). During their conversation, these experts in their field will share their thoughts concerning the current investment atmosphere and provide advice for startup founders about addressing challenges and opportunities:

How can founders adapt to the current macro-economic environment?
What are the do’s and don’ts when pitching your idea and raising capital?
How should startups modify their company strategy — i.e., short-term vs. long-term?

In addition to fireside chat, a few select founders will have the opportunity to get in the “hot seat” and receive some individual counseling about their unique situations.
Join us on April 18 for this exciting and thought-provoking event.

Speaker

SC Moatti, managing partner, Mighty Capital
SC Moatti is the founding managing partner of Mighty Capital®; the founding CEO of Products That Count, the most influential product acceleration platform; and a lecturer at Stanford and Columbia Universities. Previously, SC built products at Facebook and Nokia that billions of people use. Andrew Chen, general partner at Andreessen Horowitz, called SC “a genius at making products people love.” SC serves on the boards of public and private companies, earned a master’s in electrical engineering and a Stanford MBA, and is a Kauffman Fellow.

Moderator

André Thiollier, partner and business attorney, Foley & Lardner LLP
André is a partner with Foley & Lardner LLP, based in the firm’s Silicon Valley office, where he is a member of the firm’s transactions practice.
André’s practice focuses on mergers and acquisitions, private equity, emerging growth, and venture financings, and general corporate and business counseling. He represents a variety of clients ranging from late-stage private companies and strategic buyers to venture capital and private equity funds across various industries, including life sciences, technology, financial services, healthcare, and outsourcing.
André’s extensive experience in multiple jurisdictions combined with fluency in different languages allows André to better advise clients in cross border transactions, particularly in Latin America, including Brazil, Argentina, Chile, and Mexico.
Prior to joining Foley, André worked as an associate at the Silicon Valley office of a global law firm. With over 15 years of experience in transnational transactions, André has practiced law in top law firms in São Paulo, New York, and Madrid.

About the VLAB Founders’ Series
Founders’ Series events provide a unique opportunity for startups and technologists to take part in an interactive session. Come prepared with your burning questions!
If you would like to have the rare opportunity to take the “Hot Seat” on stage to receive feedback from the speakers, please be sure to enter your question in the field below. Startup founders selected for the “Hot Seat” will be notified in advance.
For all other questions, please contact founders.series@vlab.org.
Note: Founder's Series tickets are for startup founders and are subject to approval. Please allow 24-48 hours for final ticket confirmation.

Founders’ Series: Investment Landscape and Opportunities in Generative AI
2023-08-24 18:00 - 20:30 | San Francisco, CA
Founders' Series

Investment Landscape and Opportunities in Generative AI
Just the Tip of the Iceberg?

Thursday, August 24, 2023
Fireside Chat: 6:00 pm – 6:30 pm
“Hot Seat” Startups: 6:30 pm – 6:50 pm *
Q&A: 6:50 – 7:00 pm
* 3-4 selected founders from audience will be featured on stage.

As companies continue to seek innovative ways to differentiate themselves, Generative AI has emerged as a game-changing technology with tremendous potential for disruption across a wide range of fields and industries. From creating unique content and designs to optimizing complex processes, Generative AI is opening a new world of untapped opportunities for startups to explore.
This VLAB Founders Series event will provide an opportunity for founders to hear firsthand from a leading VC in this space and gain new perspectives about the rise of generative AI and its profound impact on the startup ecosystem. Whether you are a startup founder looking to explore the potential of generative AI, an executive considering a pivot to building AI-capable products, or simply an aspiring entrepreneur seeking inspiration, this event is tailored to provide you with the insights you need to stay ahead in this game.
In this event, Arjun Chopra (partner at Floodgate Fund) and André Thiollier (partner at Foley & Lardner LLP) will discuss the latest trends in generative AI, share their insights on its potential, and examine how these technologies are being used by startups to create new products and services:

How will startups be able to leverage Generative AI to scale their business?
What are the potential risks associated with Generative AI for startups?
How can startups position themselves strategically to attract investment?

In addition to the “fireside chat” discussion, a few select founders will have the opportunity to get in the “hot seat” and receive some individual counseling about their unique situations.
Join us on August 24 for this exciting and thought-provoking discussion.

Speaker

Arjun Chopra, partner, Floodgate Fund
As a partner at Floodgate, Arjun leads the firm’s investments in opportunities that transform the “IT stack” in ways that help companies change the way they do business and compete. Before Floodgate, Arjun was the CTO at Cambridge Technology Enterprises (CTE), a publicly traded cloud services company, where he launched and led their cloud business. He was a member of the board and executive team that raised multiple rounds of financing. He led 350+ people, managed 200M hours of uptime in the public cloud and was recognized as one of Amazon Web Service’s top 22 partners world-wide. Arjun joined CTE when they acquired Vox Holdings, the open-source startup he founded. Arjun holds multiple technology patents that have been cited as prior art by firms like Apple, AT&T, and iRobot. He has also held several technology development and management positions in consumer and enterprise software companies, including Microsoft, Motive, and IBCC.

Moderator

André Thiollier, partner and business attorney, Foley & Lardner LLP
As a partner in the Silicon Valley office of Foley & Lardner LLP, André is a member of the firm’s Transactions Practice, where he focuses on mergers and acquisitions, private equity, emerging growth and venture financings, and general corporate and business counseling. He represents a variety of clients ranging from late-stage private companies and strategic buyers to venture capital and private equity funds across various industries, including life sciences, technology, financial services, healthcare, and outsourcing. André’s extensive experience in multiple jurisdictions, combined with fluency in different languages, allows André to better advise clients in cross-border transactions, particularly in Latin America, including Brazil, Argentina, Chile and Mexico. Prior to joining Foley, André worked as an associate at the Silicon Valley office of a global law firm. With over 15 years of experience in transnational transactions, André has practiced law in top law firms in São Paulo, New York, and Madrid.

About the VLAB Founders’ Series
Founders’ Series events provide a unique opportunity for startups and technologists to take part in an interactive session. Come prepared with your burning questions!
If you would like to have the rare opportunity to take the “Hot Seat” on stage to receive feedback from the speakers, please be sure to enter your question in the field below. Startup founders selected for the “Hot Seat” will be notified in advance.
For all other questions, please contact founders.series@vlab.org.
Note: Founder's Series tickets are for startup founders and are subject to approval. Please allow 24-48 hours for final ticket confirmation.

Fully Homomorphic Encryption: Is FHE the Holy Grail for Security?
2023-12-05 18:00 - 20:30 | Los Altos Community Center, 97 Hillview Avenue, Los Altos, CA, 94022, United States
Fully Homomorphic Encryption
Is FHE the Holy Grail for Security?

Tuesday, December 5, 2023
6:00 pm to 8:30 pm
6:00 pm: Reception and networking
7:00 pm: Panel discussion (with Q&A)

Fully Homomorphic Encryption (FHE), widely recognized as one the most secure encryption methods in cryptography, has recently seen major breakthroughs that could unlock FHE’s true potential.
FHE is a powerful cryptographic algorithm that allows trusted parties to work with encrypted data without the need of first decrypting the data. This means that organizations can view, process, and analyze data without compromising the security of that data. This capability could solve key problems and create new opportunities across a wide range of applications, such as healthcare, finance, artificial intelligence (AI), and other industries that manage highly sensitive data.
Even though the first feasible FHE scheme was proposed back in 2009, the ability to deploy FHE effectively has been limited by the processing power of existing hardware. Now in its fourth generation, recent advances in both software and hardware have triggered a new race among R&D centers and startups to apply FHE architecture to cloud services and other applications.
Using FHE to protect data in virtual environments could unlock billions of dollars in business potential in data privacy-challenged applications. Other encryption methods — such as secure-enclaves, or zero-knowledge proof — simply cannot provide the same level of security and flexibility as FHE.
In our upcoming VLAB panel discussion, thought leaders, founders, and investors will discuss the latest developments in FHE:

Which players are leading the race to be the first to provide FHE solutions?
What are the potential risks and challenges associated with FHE?
Does FHE truly have the potential to be the holy grail of encryption?

Join us on December 5 to learn more about FHE.

Moderator

Brett Hartman, Lecturer, California Polytechnic State University

Panelists

Jorge Myszne, Chief Product Officer, Niobium Microsystems
Mache Creeger, Vice President Business Development, Cornami
Eric Ball, Founding General Partner, Impact Venture Capital

The Future of Drug Discovery: Is Generative AI the Next Breakthrough in Drug Design?
2025-03-20 18:30 - 21:00 | SVB Experience Center, 532 Market Street, San Francisco, CA, 94104, United States
The Future of Drug Discovery
Is Generative AI the Next Breakthrough in Drug Design?

Thursday, June 25, 2026
6:00 pm to 8:30 pm
6:00 pm: Reception and networking
7:00 pm: Panel discussion (with Q&A)

Buy Tickets on Eventbrite

Purchase Tickets

Buy Tickets on Eventbrite

Purchase Tickets

New drugs have revolutionized healthcare, with over 200 novel therapeutics gaining FDA approval over the past five years. One key aspect to product success has been – and will continue to be – finding the right drug to bring into development, as up to 85% of new synthetic chemical compounds fail to reach the market. Traditionally, drug candidates have been vetted using a process called high-throughput screening (HTS), where thousands of drug candidates are evaluated through their reactivity with specific biological targets. The hit rate of HTS, however, can be quite low, with some estimates at significantly less than 0.01 percent.
New Generative AI promises to transform drug discovery through new approaches to identifying drug candidates. By leveraging recent innovations in AI, companies have mined databases to discover new drug-target interactions or design novel compounds. These revolutionary advances are accelerating the development of treatments for cancers and other complex diseases, improving patient outcomes and reducing healthcare costs. For both startups and established companies, this represents an unprecedented opportunity to reshape the future of drug development.
New Featuring pharmaceutical executives, biotech entrepreneurs, and AI innovators, our event panel will explore whether AI is truly a breakthrough in drug discovery, and how it can address long-standing challenges in the industry.

What are the key approaches to using Generative AI to invent new drug candidates?
What challenges and limitations remain in AI-driven drug discovery?
How can startups navigate FDA evaluation of AI-driven drug discovery approaches?
How are pharmaceutical companies and startups collaborating to accelerate AI-driven innovation around drug discoveries?

New Join us on March 20 to peer into the future of drug discovery.

Buy Tickets on Eventbrite

Purchase Tickets

Moderator

AaronArvey
Head of Computational Discovery, Third Rock Ventures

LinkedIn

Panelist

PetrinaKamya
Vice President & Global Head of AI Platforms, Insilico Medicine

LinkedIn

Panelist

VenkateshMysore
Chief Technology Officer and Co-Founder, Aikium

LinkedIn

Panelist

DavidSolow-Cordero
Associate Director, High Throughput Screening Knowledge Center & Innovative Medicine Accelerator (IMA), Stanford University

LinkedIn

Panelist

LuWang
Investment Director, Foothill Ventures

LinkedIn

Ticket Includes Food and Drink

View or download flyer for event:

Download printable PDF.

View Page on Eventbrite

Special Thanks to Our Event Sponsors

Monthly Planning Meeting
2025-09-02 19:00 - 20:30 | Sheppard Mullin, 1540 El Camino Real, Suite 120, Menlo Park, CA, United States
Monthly Planning Meeting
Open to Anyone with a Passion
for Emerging Businesses and Technologies

Thursday, June 25, 2026
6:00 pm to 8:30 pm

You are warmly invited to join us for our monthly planning meetings. At these meetings, we interactively discuss and plan for upcoming events and brainstorm about the types of new cutting-edge technologies, trends, and emerging companies on the horizon.

Hear about events currently being planned.
Share your ideas for future VLAB events.
Pitch new topics for discussion.
Learn more about the VLAB community.
Grab a slice of free pizza.

VLAB provides an excellent opportunity to be on the leading edge of new innovations and technologies long before they hit the mainstream market. Our planning meetings are open to anyone with the passion for emerging business and technology. We would love to have you join us.

Free Admission
Please RSVP on our Meetup page to reserve your spot:

View Meetup Calendar

Founders’ Series: How to Build Products That Stand Out in the Age of AI
2026-06-25 18:00 - 20:30 | San Francisco, CA
Founders' Series

How to Build Products That Stand Out in the Age of AI
Is Generative AI Destroying Differentiation?

Thursday, June 25, 2026
6:00 pm: Reception
7:00 pm: Fireside Chat
7:30 pm: “Hot Seat” Startups *
7:50 pm: Q&A
* 3-4 selected founders from the audience will be featured on the stage.
— Bonus Gift —(See below.)

Purchase Ticket

Very Limited Seating

Building new products has never been easier. But there’s a catch: it is becoming harder than ever to build products that stand out.
Generative AI is dramatically lowering the time and the cost required to create and launch products, flooding almost every category with new entrants. However, this huge influx is having unintended consequences, with an increasing number of similar-looking products offering similar-looking features. In many markets, the ability to create is far outpacing the ability to differentiate.
Meanwhile, the cost to acquire new customers is escalating rapidly, with global ad spending projected to surpass $1 trillion this year. As these conditions continue to evolve, winning customers will be defined by a company’s ability to embed differentiation, customer value, and trust into its product from day one.
In this special Founders’ Series event, Lifang He, author of Brand Power Built In, and Stephanie Zeppa, partner at Sheppard Mullin Richter and Hampton, will share their thoughts on how founders and entrepreneurs can avoid costly mistakes and make high-stakes decisions with confidence.

Beyond innovation, what else do you need to differentiate your product?
Why should your brand be an integral part of your product offering?
How can you use positioning to guide what you build, not just how you market it?

In addition to the “fireside chat” discussion, a few select founders will have the opportunity to get in the “hot seat” and receive some individual counseling about their unique situations.
Join us on June 25 to hear more about differentiation in the age of AI — and get a free signed copy of Lifang’s book.

Get Your Ticket Now

Speaker
Lifang He, author and brand strategist, LifangHe.me

Lifang is the author of Brand Power Built In: How Tech Products Really Win Hearts and Minds. She brings nearly 20 years of experience driving brand strategy, product marketing, and go-to-market excellence for companies like Apple, Amazon, and Ring. From launching iPhones globally to shaping entirely new product categories, her career has been defined by building products and brands that scale fast and deliver results. She now advises startup founders and C-suite executives on brand strategy and product innovation.

Moderator
Stephanie Zeppa, partner, Sheppard Mullin Richter and Hampton LLP

Stephanie advises founders, startups, and investors on company formation, venture financing, mergers and acquisitions, and strategic growth across tech and life sciences. Her clients have described her as “an excellent negotiator” with a “broad understanding of issues.” She also serves as an advisor to VLAB and has extensive experience helping emerging tech companies navigate the journey from startup to scale and successful exit.

In-Person Event
San Francisco, CA
(Location details will be sent to registered attendees.)
Ticket Pricing
Only $35 per person
This is our pre-pandemic, pre-inflation price— and includes a bonus gift:

Bonus: Signed Copy of Brand Power Built In

The first 30 people who purchase a ticket to this event will receive a free signed copy of Brand Power Built In: How Tech Products Really Win Hearts and Minds (a $30 value).
Get your ticket early to secure your bonus gift.
Sorry, no shipping. You must attend the event to receive your book.

Purchase Ticket Here

View event on Eventbrite.

Special Thanks to Our Event Sponsor

About the VLAB Founders’ Series
Founders’ Series events provide a unique opportunity for startups and technologists to take part in an interactive session. Come prepared with your burning questions!
If you would like to have the rare opportunity to take the “Hot Seat” on stage to receive feedback from the speakers, please be sure to enter your question in the field below. Startup founders selected for the “Hot Seat” will be notified in advance.
For all other questions, please contact founders.series@vlab.org.
Note: Founder's Series tickets are for startup founders and are subject to approval. Please allow 24-48 hours for final ticket confirmation.
