AI, Athletes, and Keith Rabois: StrictlyVC Makes Its New York Comeback on September 10

Mark your calendars: on Thursday evening, September 10, StrictlyVC — TechCrunch’s exclusive evening series — is heading to New York’s West Village (the genuine one, complete with its charming brownstones and cobblestones — not the Mission Bay section of San Francisco that’s been playfully called “Vest Village” by the Patagonia-clad VCs milling about).

This will be our first event in New York in two years, and after a series of fantastic evenings this year in San Francisco, L.A., and Athens, we are thrilled to return with an impressive lineup. Here’s a glimpse of what to expect:

Keith Rabois. We’ll kick off the evening with the dynamic Keith Rabois, who recently transitioned from Silicon Valley to the East Coast and is primed to make an impact. Rabois is known for sharing his candid beliefs about what works in venture capital — he’s backed Ramp multiple times and invested in State Affairs, a company utilizing AI and local journalists to keep tabs on state-level news and policy data nationwide. He’ll share his firm views on founders raising excess capital simply because it’s available. Additionally, we’ll explore Khosla Ventures’ most ambitious AI investment to date: its early $50 million investment in OpenAI in 2019, at a time when it had no clear business model — and gain his insights on the current challenges OpenAI faces compared to its rivals.

Craig Shapiro and Jason Levien. After our talk with Keith, stay for a one-of-a-kind discussion. Craig Shapiro’s venture fund, Collaborative Fund, is graciously co-hosting the evening, and we’ll engage in a conversation with Shapiro and Jason Levien, CEO of D.C. United, about the business opportunities within sports organizations and the intricate interplay of sports, fandom, commerce, and community.

Tristan Walker. Continuing with our community theme, we’ll have a dialogue with two founders making an impact in a world where AI not only enhances but also complicates our lives. Tristan Walker, who sold his previous venture, Walker & Company Brands (the creator of Bevel), to Procter & Gamble in 2018, is now leading Heirloom Craft, a startup dedicated to reviving American craftsmanship — nurturing a new generation of artisans and reconstructing the supporting supply chains.

Brynn Putnam. Joining Walker will be Brynn Putnam, who sold her last venture, the connected-fitness startup Mirror, to Lululemon for $500 million just three years after its launch. Putnam’s latest endeavor is Board, a game company that integrates physical play with AI-driven creation tools — designed to combat the isolation technology has fostered, reuniting people around a literal board.

Deven Parekh. Lastly, we’re excited to reconnect with Deven Parekh, who has co-led Insight Partners — a premier investment firm in New York — for more than 25 years. Typically, Insight maintains a discreet presence, but Parekh will share insights on how the firm navigates a landscape where distinguishing asset classes has become increasingly difficult, especially as some of the largest funds have expanded dramatically. We’re eager to learn: how does Insight stay competitive when capital itself has grown to be a commodity, while the potential returns on significant investments have never been higher?

Expect a delightful evening filled with drinks, hors d’oeuvres, and plenty of networking opportunities before and after the fireside chats, including chances to mingle with Connie Loizos, Rebecca Bellan, and other TechCrunch journalists (as well as our friends from various media outlets).

A huge thank you once again to the team at Collaborative Fund for facilitating this event. For more information and ticket details, click here. We can’t wait to see you in the (authentic) West Village.