Mixture of Experts by Activate
About the event
Inception-stage investing starts before there is a deck, a company, or sometimes even a fully formed idea.
At Activate, we spend time with exceptional operators, technical leaders, and potential founders while they are still exploring the problem space - helping sharpen the market, customer, wedge, co-founder path, and first-principles company thesis.
Mixture of Experts is our private dinner format for people at that exact edge: builders who may be ready to move from operating inside great companies to building an enduring one of their own.
What to expect
A candid conversation on the leap from operator to founder - what it actually takes, and when the timing is right
Honest discussion on finding the right problem, pressure-testing an idea, and knowing when you are ready to build
2–3 seasoned CTOs/Engineering leaders in attendance to share real operating & company-building perspectives
A small, curated room of potential founders and operators exploring what they may want to build next
Event logistics
Host: Aakrit & Pratyush (Co-Founders, Activate)
Format: Private, invite-only, ~15 potential founders & operators
Location: Indiranagar, exact location shared upon confirmation
Ground rules
Chatham House Rule: share learnings later, no attribution.
Phones away: photos only before/after.
Be specific: examples + numbers > opinions.
Respect time: please arrive on time.
Event flow
7:00–7:15 - Arrivals & quick intros
7:15–8:00 - One-question go-round (each person answers the same prompt)
8:00–8:45 - Open conversation over dinner
8:45–9:00 - Wrap: "needs & asks" (intros, co-founders, advice, resources)
What to bring
One thing you're chewing on - an idea, a problem space, or a question you can't stop thinking about.
One specific ask you'd like help with (intro, feedback, co-founder hunt, "should I quit my job", etc)