eChai: The AI Gold Rush - Behind The Bets SF

San Francisco is ground zero for the AI gold rush — but what’s fueling the next wave of AI innovation?

​Join us for an intimate fireside chat with Mala Ramakrishnan, Founder & Managing Partner at Progressive Ventures, where she breaks down what she’s seeing at the frontlines of the AI startup landscape: the patterns, the pitfalls, and the hard truths founders need to face if they want to build something enduring.

​With over 20 years of experience as a product, growth, and GTM operator — and now as an investor in the next wave of B2B AI companies — Mala brings a rare, dual-lens view of what it takes to succeed in a market moving faster than the hype cycle itself.

​This isn’t about trends. It’s about traction.

​You’ll walk away with sharp, grounded insights on:

• ​What makes a B2B AI pitch compelling right now
• ​The blind spots most founders don’t realize they have
• ​How GTM and product expectations have shifted in the enterprise AI space
• ​What it actually takes to scale beyond the buzz

​Then, stay for a panel of growth-stage founders who are in it right now — navigating product pivots, fundraising chaos, AI integration, and the everyday realities of building while the market shifts beneath them.

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​🗓 Agenda

​​6:00 PM – Check-in + Welcome Chai

​​Arrive, settle in, and grab a cup of chai while connecting with others as they arrive.

​6:30 PM — Investor Unplugged

​A candid fireside chat with Mala Ramakrishnan, Founder & Managing Partner at Progressive Ventures, where she shares what VCs are really looking for in AI founders — and what she’s betting on next. Q&A with Mala.

​7:15 PM — Startup Sparks: Founder Spotlights

​A showcase of bold ideas and live product stories from founders building what’s next in AI. From product demos to early traction — watch innovation unfold in real-time.

​***Will share more details on our Amazing Founders soon.

​7:45 PM – Open Networking

​Will have Pizza and Chai. So, stick around, spark conversations, and maybe meet your next collaborator or investor.

​​8:00 PM – Closing & Carry Forward

​​We’ll wrap up officially, but feel free to stick around and continue connecting if the ideas are still flowing.

​🧠 Who Should Attend

• ​Founders building (or breaking into) the enterprise AI space
• ​Product & growth leaders exploring where AI meets adoption
• ​Investors looking for early signals beyond the noise
• ​Operators curious about what traction looks like in 2025
• ​Anyone building in B2B AI who’s ready for real talk, not just hot takes

​✨ This is the kind of room where momentum builds — and clarity cuts through.

​Spots are limited. RSVP to join us.

​Hosted by: Khyati Brahmbhatt | Powered by: eChai Ventures