Welcome to “AI for Entrepreneurs and Business Leaders” – a platform created to unravel the dynamic, rapidly evolving landscape of artificial intelligence and its transformative implications for businesses across sectors. In today’s digitally-driven world, understanding and leveraging AI technologies is not just beneficial—it’s crucial for growth, competitiveness, and innovation. Whether you are a startup founder seeking to disrupt industries, a seasoned business leader aiming to future-proof your enterprise, or a curious mind eager to learn about the AI frontier, this meetup is designed for you. Our group fosters an open, collaborative space where you can: Learn and Grow Deepen your understanding of AI and its subfields – Machine Learning, Deep Learning, NLP, and more. Keep abreast with the latest AI research, trends, tools, and applications in business. Engage in Thought-Provoking Discussions Participate in enriching, robust discussions on the ethical, societal, and economic implications of AI. Understand how to effectively navigate the challenges and pitfalls in AI adoption. Network with Diverse Professionals Connect with a diverse network of entrepreneurs, business leaders, AI enthusiasts, and experts. Gain unique insights from their journeys, experiences, and perspectives. Discover Opportunities Learn about AI success stories and how businesses are using AI to gain a competitive edge. Explore possibilities for implementing AI in your own business context. Collaborate Find potential collaborators, partners, and mentors. Forge strategic relationships to drive your AI journey. Get Hands-On Participate in workshops, webinars, and hackathons. Get practical, hands-on experience with AI tools and techniques. Our meetups will feature a blend of presentations, workshops, guest speaker sessions, and networking events, catering to all levels of AI knowledge and experience. We welcome everyone interested in exploring how AI can accelerate business growth, increase operational efficiency, and foster innovation. Join “AI for Entrepreneurs and Business Leaders” today and step into the future of business and entrepreneurship, powered by AI. Let’s navigate the AI revolution together!

Schedule a 15-minute one-to-one session with one session with a Career Coach. Official 15-minute time slots will be assigned the week of the event. Please sign up here for your one-to-one session. You will be emailed details on your assigned time slot, a day or two before the event. If you have concerns about time availability or which mentor you'd like to meet with, please email alex@venturecafephoenix.org.

Different mentors will show up every night to the VCPhx Mentor Corner. Come by with your ask and see if someone is there and able to help. Mentors manage the timing and availability on-site, no-preregistration necessary. If no-one there fits the bill, try again the following week! This is a free-for-all, and everyone is welcome, however, please note that Venture Café Phoenix is an inclusive environment, we encourage everyone to be kind and no hard sales! Mentors are welcome to bring business cards to network with. Please no additional marketing materials. We will rope off a section of the lobby lounge to become the Mentor Corner. Arrive at 5pm to get checked in and find a seat in the lounge.

Come check out local Native American Owned Small Businesses! The Native American Vendor Market will be on the Patio during our Thursday Gathering.

Investing for social impact and creating positive change through financial investments. Learn new ways to empower yourself financially through investments that create positive impact.

In this session you'll gain insight on how workforce partnerships work and the impact these partnerships have on our city and economic development. See inside Maricopa Corporate College, and the Maricopa County Community Colleges District, to better understand how they work and how to engage as private organizations or as a corporate partner.

Celebrate with us, the success of Elevate's inaugural capstone event. Learn from founder Norman Rodriguez the benefits and challenges of launching his workforce program and how he was able to achieve success. See the product of this program and watch the graduated students (aka Climbers), give their capstone sales pitches, the same pitches that landed them job interviews with some of the biggest tech companies in our ecosystem.

Join Alex McElfish for ‘Startup Finance 101: The Basics’ session to embark on a comprehensive journey through the financial fundamentals crucial for launching and sustaining a successful startup. In this engaging workshop, we will demystify key concepts such as budgeting, financial forecasting, and cash flow management, empowering entrepreneurs with the tools to make informed financial decisions. Alex McElfish will guide you through the intricacies of fundraising options, helping you navigate the world of bootstrapping, angel investors, venture capitalists, and crowdfunding Whether you’re a seasoned entrepreneur or a first-time founder, this session is tailored to provide actionable insights and practical strategies to optimize your startup’s financial health and foster sustainable growth. Don’t miss this opportunity to master the essential finance skills that will set your startup on the path to prosperity.

Welcome to “AI for Entrepreneurs and Business Leaders” – a platform created to unravel the dynamic, rapidly evolving landscape of artificial intelligence and its transformative implications for businesses across sectors. In today’s digitally-driven world, understanding and leveraging AI technologies is not just beneficial—it’s crucial for growth, competitiveness, and innovation. Whether you are a startup founder seeking to disrupt industries, a seasoned business leader aiming to future-proof your enterprise, or a curious mind eager to learn about the AI frontier, this meetup is designed for you. Our group fosters an open, collaborative space where you can: Learn and Grow Deepen your understanding of AI and its subfields – Machine Learning, Deep Learning, NLP, and more. Keep abreast with the latest AI research, trends, tools, and applications in business. Engage in Thought-Provoking Discussions Participate in enriching, robust discussions on the ethical, societal, and economic implications of AI. Understand how to effectively navigate the challenges and pitfalls in AI adoption. Network with Diverse Professionals Connect with a diverse network of entrepreneurs, business leaders, AI enthusiasts, and experts. Gain unique insights from their journeys, experiences, and perspectives. Discover Opportunities Learn about AI success stories and how businesses are using AI to gain a competitive edge. Explore possibilities for implementing AI in your own business context. Collaborate Find potential collaborators, partners, and mentors. Forge strategic relationships to drive your AI journey. Get Hands-On Participate in workshops, webinars, and hackathons. Get practical, hands-on experience with AI tools and techniques. Our meetups will feature a blend of presentations, workshops, guest speaker sessions, and networking events, catering to all levels of AI knowledge and experience. We welcome everyone interested in exploring how AI can accelerate business growth, increase operational efficiency, and foster innovation. Join “AI for Entrepreneurs and Business Leaders” today and step into the future of business and entrepreneurship, powered by AI. Let’s navigate the AI revolution together!

Are You Even Allowed to Start this Business? – How Licensing, IP, and Employment Agreements Affect Your Startup   Come join us and learn from FlexBiotech CEO Tom Miller and ASU exec and M & A expert Bill Brant, as local entrepreneur Michelle Howard moderates a talk where we all can learn from these experts and their real life experiences.    

Different mentors will show up every night to the VCPhx Mentor Corner. Come by with your ask and see if someone is there and able to help. Mentors manage the timing and availability on-site, no-preregistration necessary. If no-one there fits the bill, try again the following week!   This is a free-for-all, and everyone is welcome, however, please note that Venture Café Phoenix is an inclusive environment, we encourage everyone to be kind and no hard sales! Mentors are welcome to bring business cards to network with. Please no additional marketing materials.   We will rope off a section of the lobby lounge to become the Mentor Corner. Arrive at 5pm to get checked in and find a seat in the lounge.

Venture Cafe Phoenix will be offering complimentary headshots to interested attendees at the top of Thursday Gathering.

The city of Phoenix Office of Innovation and Venture Café Phoenix are partnering again for the second installment of the Innovate PHX Challenge! This is the one-of-a-kind event that asks participants – students, innovators, entrepreneurs, residents — to “hack” solutions to some of the city’s most pressing challenges – and compete for cash prizes. Stay tuned for more information! 

Are you a newcomer to Venture Café Phoenix? Join us for a short video session explaining what all the fun’s about!

Our Future’s So Bright, We’ve Got to Build Shade