4 Can't-Miss Entrepreneurial Events in NYC This Spring
Discover the top gatherings to elevate your startup journey and connect with industry leaders this April-May.
I’m writing this feeling energized after a week at the Skoll World Forum, where we saw one of the largest convenings of social entrepreneurs, innovators, and funders. Events like the forum are brilliant opportunities for the top game changers in a field to come together and swap ideas, resources, experiences, and connections.
Thinking of my friends in the tech and start-up spaces, they, too, have many exciting opportunities coming up soon to experience the magic of having some of the brightest people in a room together. Hence, this week, I’m talking about four must-attend events you can’t afford to miss this Spring:
1. The Trailblazers Conference’s Post-Conference Mixer by Series
If you’re an entrepreneurial mind looking to connect with the brightest university students, leading entrepreneurs, and top investors, the Trailblazers Conference is where you need to be. Hosted by NGEN, this conference brings together a community of passionate founders, venture capitalists, and thought leaders from across the globe - all focused on supporting student founders working on cutting-edge ideas.
This year, for all those who couldn’t attend the main conference itself, Series, a start-up in the NGEN community, is hosting a post-conference mixer for top entrepreneurs around the area. Series has been with us since our very first conference and recently closed its $3 million seed round for its AI networking platform (Congrats, guys! This is definitely a testament to the type of entrepreneurs you’ll meet at the event).
Starting at 7:30 p.m. on Friday night, 80+ of the best entrepreneurs from top universities on the East Coast will convene. This is shaping up to be a can’t-miss event for those in the entrepreneurship space. Space is limited, so make sure you RSVP as soon as possible!
2. NYC Fintech Week
Fintech is taking the world by storm, and NYC Fintech Week is the epicenter of this revolution. Organized by Empire Startups, this event brings together founders, investors, and executives from the financial technology space to explore new trends, discuss challenges and create solutions.
Whether you're in payments, digital banking, or wealth management, this week-long sprint from April 21st to 25th will feature insightful panels, networking opportunities, and deep dives into emerging fintech innovations. For anyone looking to navigate the rapidly changing landscape of finance and technology, this is the perfect opportunity to gain industry-specific knowledge, connect with potential partners, and discover new opportunities to scale your business.
3. Founders NYC Summit
If you're contemplating launching a startup or are in the early stages of your entrepreneurial journey, Founders NYC is an event tailored for you. Scheduled for May 9 in New York, NY, this free, day-long summit is a collaborative effort by BoxGroup, First Round Capital, Lux Capital, and Union Square Ventures.
It's designed to unite top talent, shaping the future of New York City's tech ecosystem. Attendees will have the opportunity to exchange ideas, connect with like-minded builders, and gain insights from influential voices in tech. The speaker lineup includes notable figures such as Olivier Pomel of DataDog, Dev Ittycheria of MongoDB, and Neil Blumenthal of Warby Parker, among others.
Whether you're actively founding or just startup-curious, this summit offers a unique platform to immerse yourself in the city's vibrant tech scene with some of the best entrepreneurs and VCs in the ecosystem.
4. The OOO Summit
Set for May 16 in Queens County, New York, The OOO Summit is the flagship event for “Owners, Operators, and Outliers” and an excellent space for those at every level of the entrepreneurship space to convene and connect.
Hosted by Carry and expert connector Andrew Yeung, this summit is crafted for those aiming to elevate their businesses, careers, and networks. The event boasts a stellar speaker lineup, including Sahil Bloom, a New York Times Best-Selling Author; Andrew Yang, founder of Venture for America; and Simran Kaur, founder of Girls That Invest.
Programming spans from a kickoff party on May 13 to the main event on May 16, featuring keynotes, panels, and workshops designed to provide actionable insights and foster game-changing connections. Whether you're a bootstrapped founder or a venture-backed CEO, The OOO Summit offers invaluable resources to propel your entrepreneurial journey forward.
Conferences, events, and networking sessions have always been the underrated superpowers that help your start-up grow. I’ve derived so much value from just being at these events and sharing about my start-up's work. The main reason for this is that it gathers together all the people who you want to talk to in your industry but otherwise may not even know exist.
Need help crafting your pitch or finding out how to curate your event schedule for your GTM strategy or fundraising?
I also provide consultation services to help start-ups prepare for GTM, applications, pitching, or investment based on my experiences as a founder and VC scout.
Book a free fundraising consultation session with me here to get feedback on your venture (5 slots available for April).
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