Venture Capital Panel: What's Hot, What's Not! #21

2026-09-24 · 18:00:00 · Palo Alto

5 Palo Alto Square

3000 El Camino Real, Palo Alto, CA 94306

Idea to IPO brings venture capitalists together at 5 Palo Alto Square to debate Silicon Valley investment trends over dinner and networking.

A panel of distinguished venture capitalists will discuss what's hot and what's not in the Silicon Valley startup ecosystem

Doors open at 6 PM. Park in the complex parking lot. Parking is free. Go to the ground floor event center which is on the opposite side of the building if you are in the lobby of 5 Palo Alto Square. This event is being promoted by many groups. This is an in-person event. In order to attend, please register and pay via Eventbrite. First Responders $17 plus Eventbrite fees Second Responders $20 plus Eventbrite fees Third Responders $25 plus Eventbrite fees Fourth Responders $30 plus Eventbrite fees Fifth Responders $35 plus Eventbrite fees Sixth Responders $40 plus Eventbrite fees Or, pay $50 at the door. Take advantage of early responder pricing! Hurry! Slots are limited! Venue: Snell and Wilmer 5 Palo Alto Square (Ground Floor Event Center) 3000 El Camino Real Palo Alto, CA 94306 A panel of distinguished venture capitalists will discuss what's hot and what's not in the Silicon Valley startup ecosystem. Please come with your questions and comments. (This is not a pitch event. Startups will not be pitching to the panel.) Dinner will be provided. Agenda 6:00 pm to 7:00 pm Check In, Food, Networking, Demo Tables 7:00 pm to 8:30 pm Program 8:30 pm to 9:00 pm Networking After Party Panelists: (More panelists TBA.) Maria Pienaar, Operating Partner, Unicorn Growth Capital Alex Marquez, Founder, SVP & Global Managing Director, Experian Ventures Melody Po, Pa

Founder brief

Who should attend

Founders seeking current market perspectives from institutional investors will find value here, especially those looking to refine their broader strategy. Because startups will not be pitching to the panel, founders should attend primarily to gather market intelligence and build relationships rather than sell their deck.

What happens

Check-in and dinner run from 6:00 pm alongside demo tables and open conversation. The formal discussion takes place from 7:00 pm to 8:30 pm, where investors evaluate emerging and cooling sectors. A dedicated half-hour networking session finishes the evening from 8:30 pm to 9:00 pm.

Who's in the room

Panelists include Maria Pienaar, Operating Partner at Unicorn Growth Capital, and Alex Marquez, Founder, SVP and Global Managing Director at Experian Ventures, alongside Melody Po and other guests. Attendees comprise local entrepreneurs, tech professionals, and peers from across the Bay Area startup ecosystem.

How to prepare

Draft thoughtful, sector-level questions rather than an elevator pitch. Use the free complex parking lot and head to the ground floor event center opposite the main building lobby. Bring cards or digital contact info for mingling during dinner and the concluding after-party.

Organizer: Idea to IPO

Register

At a glance

Tickets
19.98 – 44.52 USD
Refunds
No refunds
Sectors
Agnostic

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