Your future will be revealed to you in Palo Alto

Upcoming StrictlyVC Gathering: A Glimpse Into Tomorrow’s Innovations

This Wednesday night, PlayGround Global in Palo Alto will host a gathering where brilliant innovators—working on technologies most of us haven’t even imagined—will reveal what lies ahead. Marking the final StrictlyVC event of 2025, the speaker lineup is truly exceptional.

StrictlyVC events, previously held under the TechCrunch banner, have spanned the globe. From Steve Case reserving a theater in Washington D.C., to conversations with Greece’s prime minister in Athens, and a memorable session hosted by Kirsten Green at San Francisco’s Presidio, the mission has always remained: unite forward-thinking creators in an intimate setting, well before their breakthroughs become mainstream.

One standout memory dates back to 2019, when Sam Altman candidly told the StrictlyVC audience that OpenAI’s business plan was essentially “build AGI, then ask it how to make money.” The crowd laughed, but he was completely serious.

This year’s event features Nicholas Kelez, a physicist with two decades at the Department of Energy, renowned for building seemingly impossible machines. Now, he’s addressing a critical challenge in chip manufacturing: the world’s most advanced semiconductors rely on $400 million laser machines produced exclusively by a single Dutch company—a technology originally developed in America and later transferred to Europe. Kelez is pioneering a new generation of these machines in the U.S., leveraging particle accelerator technology. While the science is complex, the implications are enormous, especially as global competition intensifies.

Also speaking is Mina Fahmi, who, alongside cofounder Kirak Hong, has developed a ring capable of transcribing your whispered thoughts into text. After years at Meta following their startup’s acquisition, they launched the Stream Ring—not as a digital companion, but as an extension of human cognition. Supported by Toni Schneider, an early WordPress leader and current partner at True Ventures (known for backing Peloton, Ring, and Fitbit), their company Sandbar has just emerged from stealth and is already generating buzz. Schneider himself will be present at the event.

Max Hodak, founder of Science Corp, former Neuralink cofounder, and a Time magazine cover figure, will also take the stage. Having already restored sight to dozens with retinal implants, Hodak is now developing “biohybrid” brain-computer interfaces—devices where chips embedded with stem cells integrate with brain tissue, enabling paralyzed individuals to control technology with their minds. Hodak believes the world of 2035 will be unrecognizable compared to today, and he’s eager to share his vision.

Rounding out the lineup are Chi-Hua Chien and Elizabeth Weil, two venture capitalists with a track record of investing in companies like Twitter, Spotify, TikTok, Slack, SpaceX, Figma, and Coinbase before they became industry giants. Chien leads Goodwater Capital, while Weil, after roles at Andreessen Horowitz and Twitter, launched Scribble Ventures, made over 100 angel investments, and is managing a first fund with quadruple returns. Their networks are legendary. Both believe Silicon Valley is missing the mark by focusing too heavily on enterprise AI, and they’ll discuss their perspectives at the event.

The evening is hosted by PlayGround Global, with general partner and former Intel CEO Pat Gelsinger. Attendees can look forward to great food, drinks, and lively conversation. Seating is limited, so secure your spot soon if you wish to attend.

Interested in collaborating with the series in 2026? Reach out to get involved.