Ex-YC, a16z Pros Host Exclusive Founder Summit
▼ Summary
– Former Y Combinator and Andreessen Horowitz employees are hosting an invite-only event called the To Do List Summit for 80 early-stage founders, costing $600 per attendee.
– The event aims to teach founders how to handle press and social media, countering the belief that expensive PR agencies are necessary.
– Y Combinator laid off the event organizers in 2022 and 2023, despite their events being key to San Francisco’s AI startup community growth.
– Early-stage startups feel pressure to go viral, as seen with successes like Rork and Theseus, which gained funding and opportunities from viral posts.
– The organizers believe their expertise can benefit founders outside Y Combinator affordably, without requiring equity.
Former Y Combinator and Andreessen Horowitz professionals are hosting an exclusive summit designed to help early-stage founders master press relations and social media strategy. The invitation-only To Do List Summit, limited to just 80 participants, will take place on August 9 with a $600 attendance fee. Organizers aim to provide practical guidance often overlooked by startups that might otherwise spend tens of thousands on external agencies.
The team behind the event includes former YC events and PR staff, along with an ex-Andreessen Horowitz social media manager. Their expertise comes from years of shaping the narratives of some of Silicon Valley’s most successful startups. Their goal is to empower founders with the tools to generate organic buzz without relying on costly PR firms or sacrificing equity.
Recent layoffs at Y Combinator, which affected many of these organizers, raised eyebrows given the incubator’s influential role in San Francisco’s tech ecosystem. YC’s events have long been a cornerstone of the city’s startup culture, helping propel companies like OpenAI into the spotlight. Now, these seasoned professionals are leveraging their experience to support founders outside the YC network.
The timing couldn’t be more relevant. Viral moments on social media have become game-changers for early-stage startups. Companies like Rork and Theseus saw explosive growth after single posts attracted investor attention and major opportunities. With platforms like X (formerly Twitter) serving as launchpads, founders increasingly recognize the power of strategic online presence.
Rather than pushing expensive solutions, the summit focuses on actionable insights, teaching founders how to craft compelling narratives, engage with journalists, and maximize organic reach. In an era where visibility can make or break a startup, this event offers a rare chance to learn from those who’ve shaped some of tech’s biggest success stories.
(Source: TechCrunch)
