Startup community gathers in New York on September 10 to debate AI-driven business models
TechCrunch’s StrictlyVC returns to Manhattan’s West Village for an evening of debates on artificial intelligence, sports investing and reshored craftsmanship.
Source: TechCrunch · August 28, 2026 at 9:39 AM · AI-assisted report
Single-sourceNEW YORK, 28 AUGUST 2026 —
TechCrunch’s StrictlyVC returns to Manhattan’s West Village for an evening of debates on artificial intelligence, sports investing and reshored craftsmanship.
Market Impact
The boutique event on September 10 marks the first New York edition in two years, featuring discussions with Keith Rabois of Founders Fund, Craig Shapiro of Collaborative Fund, Tristan Walker of Heirloom Craft, Brynn Putnam of Board and Deven Parekh of Insight Partners.
Keith Rabois will open the night with a critique of founder over-funding and his 2019 $50 million seed bet on OpenAI when the startup lacked a clear revenue model, according to TechCrunch.
Collaborative Fund, Shapiro’s venture firm, is co-hosting the evening, underscoring the growing intersection of venture capital, sports economics and community-focused startups.
Craig Shapiro and Jason Levien, chief executive of D.C. United, will examine how sports franchises are now treated as venture-like assets amid the convergence of fandom, digital commerce and local policy.
Tristan Walker, whose Walker & Company Brands was sold to Procter & Gamble in 2018, will discuss Heirloom Craft, a venture that trains artisans and rebuilds U.S. supply chains for fine goods.
Brynn Putnam, whose Mirror connected-fitness firm was bought by Lululemon for $500 million in 2020, will outline Board, a new game venture that blends physical play with artificial-intelligence creation tools.
Deven Parekh of Insight Partners, which has managed more than $100 billion in assets for 25 years, will explain how mega-funds compete when capital itself has become a commodity but the best deals still command outsized returns.
Tickets and details are available via TechCrunch’s event page; the organisers expect drinks, hors d’oeuvres and networking before and after the sessions.
The event carries no direct impact on Malaysian markets, companies or policy.
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