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
History is being made. On October 22nd at One Vanderbilt 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.
This isn’t just another event, it’s a milestone. We’re bringing together the brightest minds of our MIT MBA class, top global investors, and founders shaping the future of deep tech.
The day will feature:
🍸 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 (3–6 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:
3:00 -4:30 pm (Workshop 1):
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.
3:00 -4:30 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.
4:30- 6:00 pm (Workshop 3):
3. Breaking Free from Limiting Beliefs
with Aryuna Merdygeeva
What invisible stories are holding you back?
High-performance coach Aryuna Merdygeeva will help you uncover the beliefs that quietly limit your growth. In this interactive session, you’ll:
Identify the beliefs that stop you from your vision
Trace them back to their roots
Learn how to reframe them through journaling and reflection
Take small, consistent actions to rewrite your story
This isn’t just about mindset, it’s about building the courage and structure to step into the version of yourself you want to become.
4:30- 6:00 pm (Workshop 4):
4. 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.
Cocktail party (5–8 PM), Keynote, FutureMakers pitch competition's final, and networking.