eChai: The AI Gold Rush – Behind The Bets SF
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Dr. Martin Luther King - Jr. Library, 150 E San Fernando St, San Jose, CA 95112, United States. | San Jose
Event Details
Submitted by the Event Organizer
San Francisco is ground zero for the AI gold rush — but what’s fueling the next wave of AI innovation?
Join us for an intimate fireside chat with Mala Ramakrishnan, Founder & Managing Partner at Progressive Ventures, where she breaks down what she’s seeing at the frontlines of the AI startup landscape: the patterns, the pitfalls, and the hard truths founders need to face if they want to build something enduring.
With over 20 years of experience as a product, growth, and GTM operator — and now as an investor in the next wave of B2B AI companies — Mala brings a rare, dual-lens view of what it takes to succeed in a market moving faster than the hype cycle itself.
This isn’t about trends. It’s about traction.
You’ll walk away with sharp, grounded insights on:
- What makes a B2B AI pitch compelling right now
- The blind spots most founders don’t realize they have
- How GTM and product expectations have shifted in the enterprise AI space
- What it actually takes to scale beyond the buzz
Then, stay for a panel of growth-stage founders who are in it right now — navigating product pivots, fundraising chaos, AI integration, and the everyday realities of building while the market shifts beneath them.
Agenda
6:00 PM – Check-in + Welcome Chai
Arrive, settle in, and grab a cup of chai while connecting with others as they arrive.
6:30 PM — Investor Unplugged
A candid fireside chat with Mala Ramakrishnan, Founder & Managing Partner at Progressive Ventures, where she shares what VCs are really looking for in AI founders — and what she’s betting on next. Q&A with Mala.
7:15 PM — Startup Sparks: Founder Spotlights
A showcase of bold ideas and live product stories from founders building what’s next in AI. From product demos to early traction — watch innovation unfold in real-time.
***Will share more details on our Amazing Founders soon.
7:45 PM – Open Networking
Will have Pizza and Chai. So, stick around, spark conversations, and maybe meet your next collaborator or investor.
8:00 PM – Closing & Carry Forward
We’ll wrap up officially, but feel free to stick around and continue connecting if the ideas are still flowing.
🧠 Who Should Attend
- Founders building (or breaking into) the enterprise AI space
- Product & growth leaders exploring where AI meets adoption
- Investors looking for early signals beyond the noise
- Operators curious about what traction looks like in 2025
- Anyone building in B2B AI who’s ready for real talk, not just hot takes
✨ This is the kind of room where momentum builds — and clarity cuts through.
Spots are limited. RSVP to join us.
Hosted by: Khyati Brahmbhatt | Powered by: eChai Ventures
Disclaimer: Please double check event information with the event organizer as events can be canceled, details can change after they are added to our calendar, and errors do occur.
Cost: FREE*
