How to Build a Community From Zero
For founders, community is one of the strongest ways to build trust, get early users, and create momentum before you have a huge budget.
Dasha Shunina is an expert in community building.
Dasha is the founder of Women Tech Meetup, a community of 10,000+ women in tech as well as the Head of Events, Community, and Partnerships at Puzzle (AI accounting startup that has raised $50M).
Dasha will break down:
How to get your first community members
How to make events feel valuable, not generic
How to build momentum without a huge budget
How to turn one event into a repeatable community engine
This is not a panel. It’s a casual founder workshop in a bar, designed to go deep on one topic so you leave with real takeaways.
Come for the lesson, stay for the conversations after.
Sponsored by Puzzle and Rho.
About our partners:
Puzzle is an accounting software - a modern alternative to QuickBooks - built for founders by founders. Streamline your accounting, track your finances in real-time, and impress investors with ready-to-go reports. Book a Demo to learn more or reach out to Dasha at [email protected]to claim your exclusive offer.
Rho is the all-in-one banking platform for startups and the accountants supporting them. With banking setup in minutes, up to 2% cashback cards, and powerful tools for managing spend, paying bills, and closing the books, Rho helps high-growth startups move fast and stay focused, backed by support that goes to the end of the earth to help you win.
Rho is a fintech company, not a bank. Checking and card services are provided by Webster Bank, N.A., member FDIC; savings account services are provided by American Deposit Management Co. and its partner banks.
What should I expect?
6:30 to 7:00 PM
Arrival, drinks, and casual networking
7:00 to 7:45 PM
Founder workshop with Dasha Shunina
7:45 to 8:05 PM
Q&A
8:05 to 9:00 PM
More chatting, drinks, and meeting people
Who is this for?
Anyone who wants to learn how great communities actually get built.
Lots of people come solo, so don’t be afraid to do the same. You’ll meet people.
About the Speaker
Dasha Shunina is the founder of Women Tech Meetup, Head of Events, Community, & Partnership at Puzzle, a Forbes writer covering venture capital, and the host of Talks With Dasha, where she interviews founders, operators, and leaders in tech.
🧠 About Founders on Tap
Founders on Tap is a casual workshop series for startup people who want real lessons without the stiff conference energy.
Each session goes deep on one useful topic, like community, GTM, fundraising, automation, or getting your first customers.
We host workshops in bars so the conversations feel more honest, unfiltered, and human.
No panels. No vague advice. Just practical lessons from people who have actually done the thing.
🔔 Stay in the Loop
📧 Join our mailing list
📸 Follow us on Instagram
💗 Join our Slack Community
How do I become a speaker?
👉 Fill out our speaker form.
We’ll reach out if your session feels like a good fit.
Do I have to be 21+?
Yes. You must be 21+ and present a valid ID to enter the venue.
Will this event be photographed or recorded?
Photos and short video clips may be taken for promotional purposes. By attending, you consent to being photographed or recorded.
Tickets
Tickets are free for this event. If you can no longer make it, please update your RSVP so we can keep space open for others.
Accessibility
We want Founders on Tap events to be as accessible as possible.
We provide live subtitles at all of our events and choose venues that are wheelchair accessible.
If you have specific accessibility needs or questions, please email Lyvia at [email protected] and we’ll do our best to support you.
🍸 Alcohol & Safety
Depending on the venue, alcohol may be sold and served exclusively by the venue in accordance with California law. Founders on Tap is not responsible for alcohol service, overconsumption, or any actions resulting from intoxication.
By attending, you agree that you are responsible for your own conduct, safety, and transportation before, during, and after the event.