San Francisco’s Startup Scene

San Francisco

eChai: AI Founder's Circle in SF/Bay Area

February 13, Friday, 2026
6:00pm — 08:00pm (GMT-08)
Blue Bottle Coffee Palo Alto, 456 University Ave, Palo Alto, CA 94301, United States.
Register for the event
Agenda:
​AI Founders Social Meetup

​An Evening of Thoughtful Conversations and Community

​About the Event

​The AI ecosystem is evolving rapidly, and founders benefit greatly from learning from one another in trusted, informal settings.

​This AI Founders Social Meetup is a curated gathering for individuals building and scaling AI driven products. The evening is designed to foster meaningful conversations, peer learning and authentic connections among founders and leaders working in artificial intelligence.

​There will be no formal presentations or sales pitches. The focus is on dialogue, shared experiences and relationship building.

​Who Should Attend

​This event is intended for:

  • ​Founders and co founders of AI startups
  • ​Builders working on Generative AI, Machine Learning and AI platforms
  • ​Product and engineering leaders in AI organizations
  • ​Operators and GTM leaders supporting AI products
​If you are actively building with AI and value high quality conversations with peers, this event is for you.

​What to Expect

  • ​Curated introductions and structured networking
  • ​Founder to founder discussions
  • ​A relaxed and professional environment
  • ​Conversations around product strategy, execution and growth
  • ​Opportunities to build long term relationships within the AI community
​The goal is to create a space for thoughtful exchange rather than formal programming.

​Agenda

​6:00 to 6:30 PM

​Arrival and introductions

​6:30 to 7:30 PM

​Small group conversations and networking

​7:30 to 8:30 PM

​Open networking and informal discussions

​Purpose of the Meetup

​This meetup exists to:

  • ​Strengthen the local AI founder community
  • ​Encourage knowledge sharing and collaboration
  • ​Provide a trusted space for candid conversations
  • ​Build relationships that extend beyond a single evening
​This is a community driven gathering focused on connection and learning.

​Event Details

​Attendance is limited to maintain a high quality and intimate experience. Please RSVP only if you plan to attend.

​Participation Guidelines

  • ​Be respectful and inclusive
  • ​Engage with curiosity and openness
  • ​No hard selling or pitching
  • ​Value shared learning and peer support
eChai: AI Founder's Circle in SF/Bay Area
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The people

These open and free events are hosted across cities and countries as part of a broader effort to keep the startup ecosystem accessible, inclusive, and connected. You’ll find a diverse mix of participants: early-stage founders, students, aspiring entrepreneurs, professionals exploring transitions, and others curious about the theme. Each event brings a different experience, shaped by the people who show up.

The format

We host panels, talks, socials, open houses, and demo days in different formats. Each individual event listing clearly mentions what’s planned, so you know exactly what kind of experience to expect before you register.

The flow

You can check the exact time and map address of the venue directly on the event page. Once you register, you typically receive four emails: a confirmation, a reminder a day before the event, another on the day itself, and a follow-up after it ends. You can manage your email notifications at any time.

The guest list

The participant list on the event page keeps updating as more people register. Since attendees often sign up through platforms like eChai, Meetup, Eventbrite, and others, the visible numbers may not reflect the complete turnout. Speakers are usually announced three to four days before the event, and you’ll also start seeing featured participants appear as they register.

The context

You can also explore the list of past participants and speakers from each city to get a sense of who typically joins. It offers a glimpse into the kind of conversations, collaborations, and diversity that shape each meetup. Every event has its own purpose, shaped by its theme, setting, and the community that gathers around it.

The experience

Some people come to learn, others to connect, and many just to explore. While the agenda provides structure, the real energy often comes from the spontaneous conversations and shared curiosity in the room. These events are open to a broad mix of people including students, professionals, early-stage founders, and aspiring entrepreneurs. If you are specifically looking to meet only growth-stage or highly targeted founders, this may not be the right format for you. In that case, you might explore scale up dinners and socials for growth stage founders and operators.

The eChai Effect - In Their Words

"The eChai platform has been super valuable for me - it has helped me gain a deeper understanding of domains in the startup and tech ecosystem. What stands out most is the celebration of knowledge, professional growth, and entrepreneurship - it’s one of the best for the Indian ecosystem. Along the way, I’ve also been fortunate to make some great friendships and connections too."
Shalin (Shawn) Parikh - Founder, MyCPE One
Shalin (Shawn) Parikh
Founder, MyCPE One
"At DevX.Work, we’ve greatly benefited from our association with eChai. Their events and networking forums have connected us with high-potential startups, ecosystem leaders, and innovation-driven professionals — many of whom have become valuable partners, collaborators, and even clients. What stands out most is the openness and accessibility of the community — whether you're an early-stage founder or an experienced entrepreneur, eChai provides a welcoming space to learn, collaborate, and grow. It's more than just a network — it's a catalyst for real, collaborative growth. We’re proud to be part of the eChai community. Highly recommended for any organization aiming to grow within the startup space."
Umesh Uttamchandani - Co-Founder, DevX
Umesh Uttamchandani
Co-Founder, DevX
"I have evolved from role of Community Builder to Startup Consultant to Startup Ecosystem Enabler to Angel Investor and now launching a Venture Studio and eChai has been a catalyst in my overall journey as Startup Evangelist since 13 years."
Mehul Shah - Co-Founder at Counselvise & Ivy Growth
Mehul Shah
Co-Founder at Counselvise & Ivy Growth

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eChai Ventures partners with select brands as their growth partner - working together to explore new ideas, open doors, and build momentum across the startup ecosystem.

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