Palo Alto is set to host the highly anticipated StrictlyVC event tonight, marking the final gathering of 2025 for this influential series. Held at Playground Global, the event promises an exclusive deep dive into the future of deep tech, bringing together an extraordinary lineup of innovators and venture capitalists.

A Legacy of Groundbreaking Insights

Under the auspices of TechCrunch, the StrictlyVC series has established itself as a premier platform for candid discussions on groundbreaking developments, hosting events globally from Washington, D.C. to Athens and San Francisco. The core mission remains consistent: to convene pioneers working on truly significant advancements in an intimate setting, long before their impact becomes widely recognized.

A memorable moment from the series includes Sam Altman's 2019 revelation to a StrictlyVC audience regarding OpenAI's monetization strategy: "build AGI, then ask it how to make money." What was initially met with laughter has since proven to be a prescient insight into the trajectory of AI.

Meet the Visionaries Shaping Tomorrow

This year's Palo Alto lineup is particularly compelling, featuring visionaries who are pushing the boundaries of what's possible:

  • Nicholas Kelez, a distinguished particle accelerator physicist with two decades at the Department of Energy, is now addressing a critical challenge in semiconductor manufacturing. He's developing next-generation technology in the U.S. to counter the reliance on highly specialized machines from a single Dutch company, leveraging particle accelerator expertise to innovate beyond current limitations.
  • Mina Fahmi, co-founder of Sandbar, will introduce the Stream Ring, a smart device that translates whispered thoughts into text. Fahmi, alongside co-founder Kirak Hong, honed this technology during their tenure at Meta. Backed by Toni Schneider of True Ventures (known for early investments in Peloton, Ring, and Fitbit), Sandbar's emergence from stealth suggests a significant leap in extending human cognition.
  • Max Hodak, founder of Science Corp. and co-founder of Neuralink with Elon Musk, has already made strides in restoring sight to blind individuals through retinal implants. His current focus lies in "biohybrid" brain-computer interfaces, where stem cell-infused chips integrate with brain tissue, enabling paralyzed individuals to control devices with their thoughts. Hodak is set to share his bold predictions for a radically transformed 2035.

Leading Voices in Venture Capital

The event also boasts leading venture capitalists who offer critical perspectives on the investment landscape:

  • Chi-Hua Chien of Goodwater Capital and Elizabeth Weil of Scribble Ventures will share their insights. Both have an impressive track record, having backed industry giants like Twitter, Spotify, TikTok, Slack, SpaceX, Figma, and Coinbase before they became household names. Chien leads Goodwater Capital, while Weil, following stints at Andreessen Horowitz and Twitter, founded Scribble Ventures, achieving remarkable 4x returns on her first fund. They will articulate why they believe Silicon Valley is currently misjudging the market by overwhelmingly funneling capital into enterprise AI.

Secure Your Seat for Exclusive Insights

The event is hosted by Playground Global, with general partner Pat Gelsinger, former CEO of Intel, in attendance. Attendees can look forward to networking opportunities, drinks, and food.

Given the StrictlyVC events' limited seating, those seeking candid insights directly from these tech and VC heavy hitters and desiring to forge meaningful connections are encouraged to register for their seat immediately before availability runs out.

For organizations interested in partnering with the StrictlyVC series in 2026, further details can be found by getting in touch here.