Future Makers Summit- TwentySix Ventures Official launch, MIT's student VC
Future Makers Summit – Official Launch of TwentySix Ventures, MIT’s First Student-Run VC Fund
Location: 919 Third Avenue, New York
History is being made. On October 22nd in NYC, we’re celebrating the launch of TwentySix Ventures, the first-ever venture capital fund created and run entirely by MIT students and researchers.
🍸 Cocktail party (5–8 PM)
with the coolest people in the ecosystem, from MIT innovators to leading VCs:
🌍 A world-renowned keynote speaker setting the tone for the FutureMakers.
🏆 The FutureMakers Pitch Competition Grand Final, where winners from eight semi-finals will pitch live on stage.
And if you want to develop your inner FutureMakers, select two of our four ✨ Mind-blowing workshops (2:30-5 PM) with world-class speakers on self-development, careers, networking, and mindset.
Come for the celebration. Stay for the history in the making.
Join us for unique workshops for elevating your personal growth and leadership skills:
2:30 - 2:45 pm - Welcome!
2:45 -3:35 pm (Workshop 1):
1. Navigating the U.S. Media Landscape: From Headlines to Leverage
with Tamar Harel (Forbes 30 Under 30)
The U.S. business media can make or break a story.
Forbes 30 Under 30 entrepreneur Tamar Harel will show you how the media really works, and how you can use it to amplify your voice and company. You’ll discover:
How stories are chosen and framed
How to position yourself and your startup for visibility
How to turn media into a tool for influence and growth
You’ll walk away knowing how to take control of your narrative and leverage the press as a powerful ally.
2:45 -3:35 pm (Workshop 2):
2. Your Network is Your Net Worth: How to Build a Network That Matters
with Adriaan Kolff
Knowledge alone won’t define your future, your network will. Serial entrepreneur and climate movement founder Adriaan Kolff shares how to build meaningful connections that open doors. Through stories and practical strategies, you’ll learn how to:
Approach people you admire with confidence
Turn one connection into a hundred
Transform relationships into lasting opportunities
Whether you’re introverted or extroverted, you’ll leave ready to grow the network that will shape your career and impact.
3:35 pm - 5:15 pm (Workshop 3):
3. The Negotiation Code: Influence with Purpose and Clarity
with Guy Ellis (Author of The Negotiation Code)
Negotiation isn’t a battle — it’s a conversation rooted in trust, curiosity, and clarity. In this fast-paced, interactive session, author and negotiation expert Guy Ellis will show you how to approach every negotiation with confidence and empathy by combining emotional intelligence with practical strategy.
You’ll learn how to:
Build genuine connection before you engage
Uncover real interests beneath stated positions
Frame discussions to create shared value
The session concludes with the “Orange Exercise,” a simple yet powerful demonstration of how understanding why someone wants something can unlock better outcomes for everyone.
3:35 pm - 5:15 pm (Workshop 4):
4. Lost, Found, and Thriving: A New Compass for Your Career
with Stephie Knopel
We’ve all felt lost in our careers, unsure of the next step or stuck in decisions.
What if “being lost” could actually be your greatest advantage? In this hands-on workshop, Stephie Knopel will guide you through a practical 6-stage framework (inspired by Search & Rescue teams) to:
Recognize where you are when lostness shows up
Reframe uncertainty into clarity
Build a personal compass to navigate decisions with confidence
You’ll leave with tools you can apply immediately to turn confusion into momentum and craft a career path that truly fits you.
Cocktail party (5–8 PM), Keynote, FutureMakers pitch competition's final, and networking.
🧳 Coats and luggage space:
We have a room for luggage and coats, you can bring and store it.
🚪 Entrance & Security:
This is a secure building, and access is limited.
Even if you have a ticket via LUMA, your name must appear on the approved list to enter.
Please check now that your name is on the list, and if not, reach out to me ASAP to update it.
Bring a photo ID that matches your registration, and please arrive 10–15 minutes early for security check-in.