GTM Series #03: Stevie Case (Vanta)

⌖ San Francisco · Mind The Bridge

AI for Future brings expert talks, VC panels, startup pitches and AI business networking to Mind The Bridge in San Francisco on 5 November 2026. A high-level meeting point for the AI ecosystem WMF – We Make Future is bringing its international innovation ecosystem to San Francisco for the second edition of AI for Future. Organised by Search On Media Group, the event connects AI founders, investors, venture capitalists, experts and established companies for a focused exploration of the technology’s commercial landscape. This is a professional, business-led event rather than an introductory workshop. It is particularly relevant to AI startup teams seeking investment or market access, VCs evaluating emerging opportunities, corporate innovation leaders, technology specialists and organisations interested in partnerships between the US and European markets. What to expect The programme examines AI from several complementary perspectives: - Keynote talks from international AI experts, covering current trends and real-world applications - Investor and VC panels exploring funding trends, market dynamics and the US investment landscape - AI business meetings and networking designed to create strategic relationships across the ecosystem - The AI 4 Future Startup Competition, giving selected founders a live platform in Silicon Valley The startup competition is a central feature. Four European and four American AI startups will pitch their solutions to an audience that includes international investors and VCs. Finalists compete for the opportunity to attend the WMF Main Event in Italy, where they can connect with a wider global network of investors and industry leaders. AI for Future forms part of the WMF International Roadshow, launched in 2021 to connect innovation communities around the world. Its emphasis on cross-border collaboration, market access and strategic partnerships makes the event especially useful for teams looking beyond their domestic ecosystem. Previous-edition calibre… Register for this event

⌖ San Francisco · AWS Builder Loft

Hosted by ClickHouse Bay Area and Silicon Valley Meetup Group

AI Builders Night brings engineers, data practitioners and founders to San Francisco for talks and networking on production AI infrastructure. Hosted by the ClickHouse Bay Area and Silicon Valley Meetup Group, this in-person evening focuses on the people building and deploying modern AI systems. Expect real-world use cases, large-scale infrastructure discussions and opportunities to meet fellow AI builders. The event is presented by ClickHouse and Docker. Agenda - 5:00pm: Arrivals, check-in and networking - 5:50pm: Welcome and introductions, with food and drinks - 5:55–7:10pm: Three speaker sessions - From 7:30pm: Q&A and networking - 8:30pm: Meetup concludes The event page lists the main event time as Monday 9 November 2026, 5:00–8:00pm PST, although the published agenda runs until 8:30pm. Speakers have not yet been announced. Entry requirements The event takes place at the AWS Builder Loft. Attendees must complete both the main registration and the separate AWS venue registration. Photo ID is required for entry. View the event and register

Sponsors: ClickHouse · Docker

⌖ Brighton

Hosted by HeyGen Brighton Community Free Coffee Meetups

Learn how to create your first AI avatar video with HeyGen at this free, informal coffee meetup for Brighton’s business and creative community. Hosted by HeyGen Ambassador Hasan Kai, the session takes place on Friday 16 October 2026, from 10:00–11:00 AM BST in Brighton. The venue has not yet been announced, so attendees should check the event page for location updates. Designed for local business owners, creators, marketers and anyone curious about AI video, the meetup will explore how HeyGen avatars work through practical examples. Attendees will receive help creating or planning an AI avatar video for social media or business use. No previous HeyGen experience is required. Existing users are also encouraged to bring their questions, ideas and examples to discuss. Alongside the hands-on guidance, there will be time for coffee and meeting other local people interested in AI, digital marketing and content creation. This is the first event from the HeyGen Brighton Community Free Coffee Meetups group. The meetup is listed as recurring every two weeks on Fridays until 6 April 2027. Register for this free meetup

⌖ São Paulo · Avenida Brigadeiro Faria Lima, 3732, 18° andar - Itaim Bibi

Hosted by BCG Platinion

BCG Platinion’s two-day, in-person hackathon comes to São Paulo on 16–17 October 2026 to build technology solutions addressing world hunger. Build technology that matters World hunger remains one of today’s most pressing challenges. This hackathon brings together technology-minded participants to develop bold, meaningful responses while working alongside BCG Platinion consultants and tech experts. Rather than focusing on hypothetical exercises, attendees will spend two intensive days building real solutions around a global humanitarian issue. The event runs from 9:00am to 6:00pm on both days, using the America/São Paulo time zone. It takes place at BCG São Paulo, Avenida Brigadeiro Faria Lima 3732, 18th floor, Itaim Bibi, São Paulo. Who should apply? BCG Platinion is inviting applicants based in Brazil who are interested in the intersection of technology and consulting. The event is particularly relevant for: - IT architects and AI architects - Software developers - Technology professionals and builders - People with a strong passion for technology and an interest in consulting and tech No individual speakers are listed; the emphasis is on collaborative building with BCG Platinion’s consultants and technology specialists. The in-person, two-day format gives participants an opportunity to contribute technical thinking, work with other builders and explore how technology can help tackle a complex real-world problem. Application and costs Participation is completely free, and BCG Platinion states that it will cover all event-related expenses. This application route is exclusively for applicants based in Brazil. Applications require both a résumé and motivation letter. Submit these by 11:59pm on Sunday, 13 September 2026. The registration form also requests standard contact details, and applicants must sign in to complete the process. Registration availability is capped at 500 within the event system. For further practical details, eligibility information and answers to common questions, read the official hackathon information and FAQs.… Register for this event

⌖ London · Bush House, KCL

Hosted by KCL Womxn in STEM, Imperial Women in STEM and UCL Women in STEM

IKU Womxn in STEM Hackathon brings female and non-binary university students to central London for a free, beginner-friendly 24-hour build weekend. Taking place 17–18 October 2026 at Bush House on King’s College London’s Strand Campus, this cross-university hackathon creates a supportive setting in which participants can develop technical skills, meet peers and turn an idea into a working project. It is organised by KCL Womxn in STEM, Imperial Women in SET and UCL Women in STEM. Build, learn and find your community IKU was designed to make hackathons more accessible to gender-minority students in technology. Attendees will work in teams of typically two to four, supported by workshops, talks and mentorship from experienced developers. You can arrive with friends or attend solo and form a team on the day. The event welcomes female and non-binary students aged 18 or over from any UK university. All experience levels are encouraged, including complete beginners and students outside Computer Science. A dedicated Best Beginner side track recognises eligible teams where at least half of the members come from non-CS-adjacent backgrounds. Over the weekend, participants can expect: - 24 hours of focused project building, from first line of code to final demo - Practical workshops, technical talks and mentor support - Mini-events and opportunities to connect across King’s, UCL and Imperial - Sponsor networking, prizes and a completed project to add to a CV - Judging followed by a closing ceremony Project work begins after Saturday’s opening ceremony, with hacking running from 11:00 on 17 October until the 12:00 submission deadline on 18 October. Judging starts at 13:00, followed by the closing ceremony at 15:00 and the event finishing at 16:00. Participants may go home overnight, remain awake or use the dedicated sleeping and quiet rooms at Bush House. Cost, venue and support IKU is completely free, with meals, snacks and swag included. Attendees should bring a laptop, charger and any other equipment required for their build; those staying overnight are advised to bring comfortable items such as a pillow, blanket or hoodie. Travel reimbursement is not available.… Register for this event

Sponsors: Wise · incident.io

⌖ Leicester · Bru Leicester town centre

Hosted by Namra

AI + Coffee Leicester is a free, one-hour AI networking meetup at Bru in Leicester town centre on 17 October 2026. Hosted by Namra, it offers an informal space to compare notes, ask candid questions and meet other people exploring artificial intelligence. Conversation rather than presentation This in-person meetup deliberately does away with the usual conference format: there are no speakers, slides or fixed agenda. Instead, the group will spend an hour talking over coffee about participants’ real experiences with AI. The conversation may begin with questions such as: - What AI tools or ideas are you currently trying? - What aspects of AI are confusing or unclear? - What is actually working in practice? The emphasis is on connection rather than one-way instruction. You can bring a question, share something you have been experimenting with or simply arrive with nothing prepared and listen to where the discussion goes. Because the session is unstructured, attendees help shape the conversation through the challenges, observations and uncertainties they bring with them. Who should attend? AI + Coffee Leicester welcomes anyone, regardless of role or experience level. It may be useful for entrepreneurs, people working on AI startups, professionals considering how AI affects business strategy, and anyone who wants to understand what others are testing. You do not need technical expertise, a polished project or a confident opinion to take part. A central aim is to provide a safe setting in which people can admit uncertainty without it feeling like a professional risk. There are no silly questions, and people who believe they have little to contribute are especially welcome, the organisers note that some of the best questions often come from precisely those participants. View the event and registration details