StrictlyVC, the invitation-only event series known for its off-the-record conversations with tech's biggest names, is opening its doors to the broader startup and venture community in New York City on September 10. The event, held at Ideal Glass Studios in the West Village, comes at a moment when the city's startup ecosystem is experiencing a historic funding surge, making the return a timely celebration of New York's growing dominance in the tech world.
General admission tickets are available now for $180, offering founders, investors, and dealmakers access to a caliber of networking and programming typically reserved for more exclusive circles.
NYC's Startup Funding Surge Sets the Stage
The decision to bring StrictlyVC back to New York for the first time since 2024 is backed by concrete momentum in the local startup scene. In the first half of 2026, New York City startups raised an impressive 19.1 billion raised across all of 2025, indicating a significant acceleration in dealmaking activity.
Seed funding specifically has seen robust growth. More than 240 NYC startups raised a combined 1.06 billion in the same period last year. The average seed round size has also climbed substantially, from 6.64 million.
This capital is flowing across the entire spectrum of the tech economy, including artificial intelligence, healthcare, climate technology, fintech, robotics, and consumer tech. The diversity of investment suggests a healthy and mature ecosystem that is attracting interest from venture firms nationwide.
Speakers and Sessions: Community and Reinvention
The programming for the September 10 event will feature two prominent voices from the venture and startup world. The first headline session, titled "The Business of Belonging," will feature Craig Shapiro, founder and managing partner of Collaborative Fund, in conversation with TechCrunch editor-in-chief and StrictlyVC founder Connie Loizos. Their discussion is expected to explore why community has become a critical asset for modern companies and where investors are finding value at the intersection of technology, fandom, and real-world connection.
Following that, the event will pivot to a conversation on reinvention with Tristan Walker, founder of Heirloom Craft. Walker, who previously built one of the most influential consumer startups of the last decade, will discuss his decision to start a new venture, the lessons learned from his past experience, and how his approach to leadership and brand-building has evolved in the current AI-driven landscape.
A Return to Form for a Premier Event Series
The StrictlyVC franchise is known for its ability to attract major players in the tech industry. Past stage speakers have included OpenAI CEO Sam Altman, Waymo co-CEO Tekedra Mawakana, Signal president Meredith Whittaker, Haun Ventures founder Katie Haun, Replit CEO Amjad Masad, and Sequoia Capital's Alfred Lin.
This return to New York underscores the city's rising status as a key hub for venture capital and dealmaking, alongside the traditional power centers of Silicon Valley. The event is structured to facilitate not just learning from the stage, but also meaningful connections that can lead to actual business opportunities, a key draw for the $180 ticket price.
Organizers have indicated that additional speakers and sessions will be announced in the coming weeks as the agenda continues to take shape.
What to Expect for Founders
For early-stage founders, the event is positioned as a critical learning opportunity. Attendees can expect to gain insights into navigating pitch meetings, securing VC funding, managing finances, and recruiting growing teams. The environment is designed to provide direct access to the investors and journalists who are actively shaping the next wave of New York's startup success stories.