Question 1

Who is the best fit for the Tech Weekend Cohort

Accepted Answer

Technical founders raising from pre-seed to Series A, ideally post-product with early traction. Our investors cover AI, deep tech, robotics, fintech, climate, health, defense, and more — several are sector agnostic. Every application is reviewed for investor fit.

Question 2

What is the selection process for Tech Weekend Cohort

Accepted Answer

After you purchase, we review your application for alignment with the investors attending — typically post-product startups with some traction. Decisions go out within about a week of review. If your application isn't selected, you receive a full refund.

Question 3

When will I find out if I’m selected for the  Tech Weekend Cohort

Accepted Answer

Decisions begin going out from October 15, 2026  and once your application is reviewed, you'll hear back within about a week. You'll receive your decision by email from events@foundersvillage.co — please keep an eye on your inbox and spam folder.

Question 4

If selected for the  Tech Weekend Cohort How many VC meetings can I expect?

Accepted Answer

On average, each founder receives around 8 one-on-one VC meetings. If two teammates each purchase a Cohort Pass, your startup receives 15 meetings combined. Meetings are matched on mutual interest and scheduled in advance.

Question 5

What is the refund policy?

Accepted Answer

You can cancel your ticket and receive a full refund if you cancel by November 12, 12:00 PM.
After that, you can receive a 50% refund if you cancel by November 18 12:00 PM
After November 18th, cancellations and no-shows will not be eligible for a refund.

Question 6

Who can pitch in the competition?

Accepted Answer

The pitch competitions are open to Tech Weekend Cohort members only. Cohort founders can apply through the founder portal, and around 10 finalists are selected per competition. We host two: Deep Tech and AI, each judged live by a panel of VCs.

Question 7

When can I sign up for VC Office Hours?

Accepted Answer

VC Office Hours booking opens on October 20th. Once you're accepted into the cohort, you'll set up your profile on our founder portal — and you can now browse the investor list and request your meetings there.

Question 8

Do I need to be incorporated to apply?

Accepted Answer

For the Tech Weekend Cohort, yes — it's preferred. Most of our investors invest in incorporated companies (typically US C-Corps), so it makes matching smoother. If you're not incorporated yet, you can still apply — just note it. Networking Passes have no incorporation requirement.

Question 9

Can international founders apply?

Accepted Answer

Yes! We welcome founders from around the world — our last cohort joined us from 17+ countries. Many of our investors have a global outlook and are open to international teams, and we're excited to include international startups in the cohort.

Question 10

Can I apply if I’m not actively fundraising yet?

Accepted Answer

Yes, you can — but the Cohort is built around investor meetings, so it delivers the most value if you're raising now or within the next few months. If you're not raising yet, a Networking Pass may be the better fit: panels, mixers, and plenty of investors to meet informally.

Question 11

Can I upgrade Networking Pass to a  Tech Weekend Cohort spot later?

Accepted Answer

Yes, up to 10 days before the event — but not on event days. Email us first at events@foundersvillage.co, or purchase a Cohort Pass and request a refund for your Networking Pass. Cohort applications still go through our review process, so upgrading early is best.

Question 12

What’s included in the Exhibitor Pass?

Accepted Answer

An exhibitor table with an electric outlet and table umbrella, 5 Networking Team Passes for panels and mixers, a social media shoutout, a mention on techweekend.org, and all meals for your team across both days. You're welcome to bring your own branding to decorate your booth.

Question 13

Is a Group discount available?

Accepted Answer

For group discounts, please email us at events@foundersvillage.co with your team size and which passes you're interested in, and we'll see what we can do.

Question 14

Will food and drinks be provided?

Accepted Answer

Yes! All passes include meals across both days — breakfast, lunch, coffee, snacks, and evening happy hours at our networking mixers. You'll be well fed from morning to evening.

Question 15

Which investors will be there?

Accepted Answer

The confirmed investors are listed right here on the event page, with their fund, investment focus, and stage — and we add new investors every day as they sign up, so check back often. Cohort founders can browse the full list and request meetings on the founder portal.

Question 16

Is there parking available at the venue?

Accepted Answer

Yes, free onsite parking is available at the venue for up to 170 cars, so finding a spot is easy. The venue is Allied Arts Guild, 75 Arbor Road, Menlo Park.

Question 17

What's the difference between the Cohort Pass and the Networking Pass?

Accepted Answer

The Cohort Pass includes scheduled 1:1 VC meetings and pitch competition eligibility, plus everything else. The Networking Pass covers panels, pitch viewing, mixers, and meals — but not 1:1 investor meetings or pitching. If your goal is investor meetings, choose the Cohort Pass.

Question 18

Can my co-founder and I attend our VC meetings together?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Meetings are assigned to your startup, not to individual founders — so all meetings appear under your company name on the founder portal, and co-founders attend together. Two Cohort passes gets your startup around 15 combined meetings.

Question 19

How do virtual VC Office Hours work?

Accepted Answer

For Virtual meetings your dashboard will show a Join Meeting link next to that meeting — just click it at your meeting time from your laptop. Dedicated WiFi is available at the venue.

Question 20

How should I prepare for my VC meetings?

Accepted Answer

Meetings are 20-30 minutes, so preparation matters: move clearly from problem to solution to your ask — how much you're raising and your team. Finish on time, and before the meeting ends, ask to exchange contact info or plan a follow-up. Bring your laptop if you need to show something.

Question 21

When will I get my VC meetings schedule?

Accepted Answer

Your final schedule is posted on your founder dashboard 2-3 days before the event — for November, that's around November 17. You'll see each investor, day, time, length, and format. During the event, keep your dashboard open and refresh it: times update in real time.

Question 22

What are the event hours and schedule?

Accepted Answer

The event runs 9:00 AM – 8:00 PM on both days, Thursday November 19 and Friday November 20. Panels, pitch competitions, and mixers run throughout, with VC Office Hours in parallel from 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM. Full schedule at techweekend.org/schedule.

Question 23

Is the event indoors or outdoors? What should I wear?

Accepted Answer

Both — the venue is Allied Arts Guild, 3.2 acres of indoor halls, open-air courtyards, and gardens. Panels run indoors, office hours and booths outdoors in the gardens. Business casual works well; November days in Menlo Park are usually mild and sunny.

Tech Weekend Nov 19–20 | Founder-VC Matchmaking & Pitch Competitions

VIEW THE FULL EVENT SCHEDULE HERE

Not raising yet? Get a Networking Pass.

Join VC panels, live pitch competitions, mixers and meals on Thursday & Friday. Best for angels, operators, founders raising in 6+ months, and corporate venture teams. You can upgrade to a Cohort Pass later.

VIEW THE FULL EVENT SCHEDULE Here

Refund Policy

Stay Connected

Lineup

Chuck Templeton

Mir Zayid Alam

Rasheed Auguste

Abdalla Emam

Johnny Ream

Baran Atmanoglu

Good to know

Location

Allied Arts Guild - 75 Arbor Rd, Menlo Park, CA 94025

How do you want to get there?

Agenda

Opening & Breakfast Networking

VC Office Hours (Cohort Pass)

Panel: Funding Hard Problems — How Investors Weigh Risk, Timing and Team

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