Silicon Valley Start-up & Investor Week Edition III Mid-Week Update

Wednesday was an intense and highly productive day for our Silicon Valley Start-up & Investor Week – Edition III delegation, focused on sharpening narratives, strengthening investor readiness, and capturing the assets that will support their growth journeys ahead.

The morning began with what we call “speed dating”, a series of rapid, individual pitch and advisory sessions where founders refined their messaging, received direct feedback, and captured key marketing collateral that both they and Smart Cities Council will use to elevate their global positioning. The onboarding of these new SCC members was also underway, an exciting step as they formally join our global innovation community.

A standout session followed with Bret Bunnell of Cole-Frieman & Mallon LLP, who delivered a highly practical and engaging workshop on Essentials for Tech IP & Data Protection. The session was exceptionally well received, sparking thoughtful discussion and deep questions from founders keen to ensure they are structurally ready to scale and engage with capital. We were also pleased to welcome representatives from the San Francisco real estate and broader innovation community, further strengthening the ecosystem connections.

All of this took place in the iconic San Francisco War Memorial & Performing Arts Center, a venue steeped in global history as the site where the United Nations Charter was signed in 1945.

The afternoon continued with a private guided tour of the magnificent San Francisco City Hall, where delegates had the opportunity to meet members of the Mayor’s Office and City administration, and even briefly crossed paths with the Mayor himself. Experiences like these provide founders with real insight into the civic leadership and infrastructure that support innovation in one of the world’s most influential cities.

A very special thank you to Ken Nim of OffChain Global for making this extraordinary access possible and for his ongoing support, guidance, and generosity in welcoming our delegation into the San Francisco ecosystem. Thank you also to Martin Kirkwood and Lucas Root, who joined as connectors and advisors, providing valuable pitch guidance and strategic perspective.

Also a big thank you to Lauren Louie, who has been instrumental in capturing high-quality marketing collateral throughout the week. Her work ensures that both the founders and Smart Cities Council have powerful visual and media assets to support their ongoing visibility, storytelling, and growth. Lauren’s professionalism and consistency in documenting the journey has been invaluable.

It was truly a big day in the Bay Area, and an important step forward for this exceptional group of founders as they refine their positioning, expand their networks, and prepare for the opportunities ahead.