Palo Alto is set to host the final StrictlyVC event of 2025 on December 3, an exclusive gathering dedicated to exploring the cutting edge of deep tech and the innovations poised to reshape our world. Held at PlayGround Global, this highly anticipated event promises candid discussions from an impressive lineup of industry luminaries, including former Intel CEO Pat Gelsinger, Neuralink co-founder Max Hodak, and pioneering physicist Nicholas Kelez. Attendees will gain direct insights into technologies that are currently beyond mainstream understanding but hold immense future potential, making it a crucial opportunity for anyone invested in the future of venture capital and technology innovation.

A Legacy of Unveiling Future Innovations

The StrictlyVC series, operating under the auspices of TechCrunch, has consistently brought together visionaries working on genuinely important developments. Its unique format fosters intimate discussions, allowing for insights into groundbreaking technologies before they become widely recognized. From Steve Case hosting in Washington, D.C., to discussions with Greece's prime minister in Athens, the core concept remains: connect innovators with those keen to understand what's next.

A memorable moment from 2019 saw Sam Altman candidly share OpenAI’s early monetization strategy with a StrictlyVC crowd: "build AGI, then ask it how to make money." While met with laughter at the time, he was not joking, a sentiment that resonates powerfully today.

Spotlight on Deep Tech Pioneers

This year's event features an exceptional roster of speakers pushing the boundaries of technology:

  • Nicholas Kelez: A particle accelerator physicist who spent two decades at the Department of Energy, Kelez is now tackling a critical challenge in semiconductor manufacturing. He is developing next-generation chip fabrication technology in the U.S. using particle accelerator tech, aiming to reduce reliance on the single Dutch company that currently dominates the market for advanced chip machinery. His work is exceedingly important for future technological independence, especially amidst growing competition in this space.
  • Mina Fahmi: Co-founder of Sandbar, Fahmi will introduce the Stream Ring, a smart device that captures whispered thoughts and turns them into text. Developed with co-founder Kirak Hong after years at Meta, the Stream Ring aims to extend cognitive capabilities. Backed by Toni Schneider of True Ventures (known for investments in Peloton, Ring, and Fitbit), Sandbar recently emerged from stealth with a promising vision.
  • Max Hodak: The founder of Science Corp and a co-founder of Neuralink alongside Elon Musk, Hodak has already made significant strides by restoring vision to dozens of blind individuals using retinal implants, earning him a Time magazine cover. His current focus is on "biohybrid" brain-computer interfaces, where stem cell-seeded chips integrate with brain tissue, enabling paralyzed individuals to control devices with their thoughts. Hodak believes these advancements are just the beginning, predicting a radically different technological landscape by 2035.

Venture Capitalists Challenge the Status Quo

The event will also feature insights from two prominent venture capitalists:

  • Chi-Hua Chien of Goodwater Capital and Elizabeth Weil of Scribble Ventures. These VCs have an impressive track record, having backed early-stage companies like Twitter, Spotify, TikTok, Slack, SpaceX, Figma, and Coinbase before they became household names. Chien leads Goodwater Capital, while Weil founded Scribble Ventures after stints at Andreessen Horowitz and Twitter, making over 100 angel investments and achieving 4x returns on her first fund. Her network is famously extensive. Both contend that Silicon Valley is currently misjudging the market by overwhelmingly channeling capital into enterprise AI, and they will elaborate on why they believe this strategy is flawed.

Connect with Industry Leaders

Hosted by PlayGround Global, with general partner Pat Gelsinger, the event will offer valuable opportunities for networking, accompanied by drinks and delicious food. Given the limited seating, prospective attendees are encouraged to register for your seat before it's gone to engage directly with these influential figures in the tech and venture capital sectors.

For those interested in partnering with the StrictlyVC series in 2026, please get in touch here.