Community Events New York

Founders, Investors & Talent Networking Mixer NYC

**Startup networking event in NYC for founders, investors and tech talent**. Meet builders and connect with Ascent Valley community. Join founders, investors and tech talent at this curated startup networking event in NYC Manhattan. Meet ambitious builders, exchange ideas and discover new opportunities in a dynamic community environment. **RSVP:** [Use this link](https://www.eventbrite.com/e/startup-networking-new-york-founders-investors-talent-mixer-tickets-1987708214778?aff=oddtdtcreator&keep_tld=true) ***Please note that RSVP is managed via Eventbrite to control attendee lists — don’t ignore it to avoid issues with on-site payment.*** **💡 Why This Event Is Different** Most networking events end with exchanged LinkedIn profiles. This one focuses on real conversations and real opportunities. We bring together founders, investors, engineers, operators and talent in a curated environment designed to create meaningful connections. Through interactive networking rounds, open conversations and pitch opportunities, participants can share challenges, exchange insights and build relationships that last beyond the event. 🤝 **What to Expect** **Interactive Networking** Structured networking rounds where participants briefly introduce themselves, share current challenges and explore collaboration opportunities. **Talent Corner** Recruiters and hiring managers can briefly share open positions, while engineers and operators can introduce their skills and interests. **Startup Conversations** Open discussions about fundraising, product development, growth and startup challenges. **👥 Who Should Attend** • Startup founders • Investors and angels • Engineers and builders • Operators and product managers • Recruiters and HR professionals • Sales and business development professionals • Job seekers interested in startups • Newcomers to the NYC Manhattan tech ecosystem **🎤 Want to Pitch?** A limited number of founders will have the opportunity to present their startup. Selected founders will showcase their pitch deck to the audience and attending investors, followed by a short Q&A where participants can ask questions and share feedback. [Apply by sending your pitch](https://forms.gle/F8w9U7djbyTGBvJHA) ***Spots are limited and founders will be selected in advance.*** **💼 For Investors** We invite local investors, angels and venture capitalists to join the event. Investor participation is complimentary. After verification, investors receive access to the Ascent Valley ecosystem, including: • curated startup introductions • access to our startup digest • access to our platform and founder community [Interested investors can request verification](https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSd0FOsbIU0WPT79m90Xy4Q8IqDkaZAydjQ1DGpfYDKhJy7cLA/viewform)

Meet Your Co-Founder: Startup Builders Night in NYC

**Looking for a co-founder or startup collaborators in NYC Manhattan?** Join founders, engineers, product builders and entrepreneurs for a curated evening designed to help people connect and build startups together. **RSVP:** [Use this link](https://www.eventbrite.com/e/startup-networking-founders-investors-talent-mixer-in-new-york-tickets-1987708214778?aff=oddtdtcreator&keep_tld=true) ***Please note that RSVP is managed via Eventbrite to control attendee lists — don’t ignore it to avoid issues with on-site payment.*** **💡 What Makes This Event Different** * Many people have ideas. * But building a startup alone is difficult. * The best startups are built by strong teams. * This event is designed to help ambitious founders, engineers and builders meet potential co-founders and collaboratorsin a structured networking environment. Instead of random conversations, we create opportunities for participants to share ideas, discuss projects and discover people they might build something meaningful with. **🤝 What You’ll Experience** * ***Interactive Co-Founder Networking*** Before the session begins, participants vote on the topic or challenge they want to explore together. The most popular topic becomes the focus of the networking session. Participants are then divided into small groups to work around that shared challenge. This format helps people quickly connect, understand each other’s thinking, and discover potential collaboration opportunities. It’s networking with a purpose — not just introductions. * ***Startup Pitches*** Selected founders present their startups to the audience and investors. Each pitcher shares their idea, product, or progress and receives visibility, feedback, and potential connections with investors and collaborators. This is an opportunity to showcase what you’re building and spark meaningful conversations after the session. * ***Chill Networking*** After the structured part, participants can continue conversations in a relaxed environment. **👥 Who Should Attend** • Entrepreneurs with startup ideas • Engineers and technical builders • Product managers and designers • Growth and marketing specialists • People looking for a co-founder • Early-stage founders building their first startup • Anyone interested in joining a startup team #### 🌍 About the Community This event is part of the **Ascent Valley ecosystem** — a global community where founders, builders and investors meet to share ideas, collaborate and build meaningful projects. *Our mission is to create environments where ambitious people connect, collaborate and grow together.*

Community Hour

Community Hour

Community Hour

Montclair AI Nights: AI for Everyone

### The AI scene isn't across the river. It's down the block. **Real people. Real ideas. Real impact.** The AI conversation usually happens in silos — engineers with engineers, founders with founders, hype with hype. Montclair AI Nights is different. This is the room where everyone belongs — engineers and founders, small business owners and tradespeople, creators and educators, students and journeymen, contractors and operators, and anyone simply AI-curious. AI is reshaping work across every industry, and we come together to learn what it means for our work, our businesses, and our lives — and to meet the people building with it right here in New Jersey. **Montclair already has the talent. It already has the demand. Now it has the room.** **What to expect** * **Speakers** — short, sharp talks from people doing the work * **Live demos** — see AI in action, not just talked about * **Local startups** — meet builders shaping things from right here in NJ * **Networking** — connect with AI-curious people in your community * **Practical AI** — real use cases you can apply on Monday morning Topics we’ll explore include AI agents and personal assistants, creative workflows, small-business and field-service automation, scheduling and quoting tools, coding and developer tools, autonomous systems, and the future of work — across white-collar, blue-collar, and everything in between. Whether you’re a tradesperson, small business owner, engineer, founder, journeyman, creator, educator, contractor, operator, or simply AI-curious — you belong in this room. **Event details** **Date:** Thursday, June 25, 2026 **Time:** 6:30 PM – 9:00 PM **Cost:** Free — RSVP required **Location:** RecRoom at Lackawanna Station, 1 Lackawanna Plaza, Montclair, NJ 07042 **Agenda** * **6:30 PM** — Doors open, light refreshments, mingling * **7:00 PM** — Talks and live demos * **8:15 PM** — Networking and community discussion * **9:00 PM** — Wrap **Getting there** RecRoom is located at the historic Lackawanna Station, walkable from NJ Transit’s Bay Street station. Street parking is available along Bloomfield Avenue, with additional parking in the Lackawanna Plaza lot. **Call for speakers, demos & sponsors** We’re looking for people who want to: * Give a 5–10 minute talk on something they’ve built or learned * Demo a project, agent workflow, or experimental tool * Showcase an early-stage AI startup or product * Share a thoughtful perspective on where things are headed If you’re building something worth sharing, we’d love to hear from you. **Pitch us at events@montclair.ai.** We’re also speaking with sponsors interested in supporting grassroots AI community building in New Jersey. **Stay connected** * **Website:** [montclair.ai](https://www.montclair.ai) * **Discord:** [Join the Montclair AI community](https://discord.gg/zXqPQv3Pq) * **Newsletter:** [Montclair AI on Substack](https://montclairai.substack.com) Come meet the people shaping the future of AI in New Jersey.

Celebrate Pride - NYC Meetup

Join us for a festive Pride celebration on **Sunday, June 21st** in the Village! 🥂 **Optional Brunch** \| 11:00 AM – 1:00 PM Gather at Ways and Means for good eats, mimosas and friendly conversation. **Please RSVP for brunch in comments** **🌈 Pride History & Bar Hop** \| 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM We'll explore iconic LGBTQ+ landmarks, including Stonewall National Monument, while celebrating the history, courage, and freedom that Pride represents. 🗽 Whether you're joining for brunch, the stroll, bar hop, or all of the above, come celebrate community, authenticity, and the freedom to live and love openly. 🏳️‍🌈

History & Recognition Sunday

Join us for this special Gathering as we celebrate 150 years of the Ethical Culture Movement, present the Jack Rubenstein Ethical Humanist Award to two local activists, and install the new Board of Trustees and committee chairs. Our award recipients are Theresa Johnston of Never Alone Again, and Elizabeth Davis for her career in meeting the needs of older adults. This Gathering is at the meetinghouse and on Zoom. To receive the Zoom link, please email admin@ethicalfocus.org by noon on Friday.

Plant Powered Potluck & Demo in Astoria

[Register here](https://plantpoweredmetrony.app.neoncrm.com/nx/portal/neonevents/events?path=%2Fportal%2Fevents%2F43516)! Share in great company and enjoy a wholesome potluck meal with Plant Powered Metro New York when we gather at The Lifestyle Building in Astoria, hosted by Enrica Sacca, PPMNY co-founder and lead organizer. This month, we welcome special guest Shalu Nijhawan, joining us from India! A certified holistic nutritionist and plant-based consultant based in Bengaluru who has worked with the plant-based health organization SHARAN, Shalu will speak informally and lead a seasonal food demo. For the potluck, please choose a plant-based recipe with whole plant foods — whole grains, beans, fruits, vegetables, nuts, and seeds. Please, no animal-based foods, vegan processed foods, white flours, or added oils, and we ask you to minimize added sweeteners and salt. If this sounds intimidating, don't worry! Contact Enrica at enrica.sacca@ppmny.org to discuss simple dish ideas or check out our recipes at: [ppmny.org/recipes](http://ppmny.org/recipes/). It's a good rule of thumb to double a recipe you would make at home! Please bring a serving utensil for your dish.

Community Hour

Sunday Gathering: Book Talk with Rebecca Gopoian

This morning we honor the lives of four members who have passed: Barbara “Boe” Meyerson, Allan Drossman, Pam Berglund, and Ginger Gordon. We will serve a light lunch after the Gathering. This Gathering is at the meetinghouse and on Zoom. To receive the Zoom link, please email admin@ethicalfocus.org by noon on Friday.

Staying Active

***Please note that the event has been rescheduled to Saturday, June 06, due to weather conditions on May 23rd. Thank you and have a blessed holiday!*** Click our website for more information and location! https://butprimerogod.wixsite.com/butprimerogod/event-list It's important to stay active and take care of your body. Come along for a walk on the trail with us! If you have any inquiries, feedback, or issues, please email us at butprimerogod@gmail.com. Remember to wear comfortable shoes and clothing for this activity. Instructions: We will meet at the parking area, in front of the historical landmark, Bramhall Terrace. Length: 2.2 miles Elevation gain: 272 Ft Duration of trail (loop): Less than an hour. it depends on our pace, no rush 🙂 Included with the reservation: Water fruit snackbars Click our website for more information and location! https://butprimerogod.wixsite.com/butprimerogod/event-list