Building the Future: AI, Startup Cities & the Next Era of Human Potential (SF)
A new model for accelerating entrepreneurship anywhere in the world is already taking shape.
Join a curated group of founders and investors building and exploring startup cities, virtual economic zones and their impact on human potential.
This gathering introduces a frontier already in motion—where AI, governance, and new economic systems converge to unlock new pathways for building, scaling, and participating in entrepreneurship globally.
We’ll explore the emergence of startup cities and special economic zones (SEZs) as real-world environments designed to accelerate innovation—creating new access for builders from anywhere around the world, new models for collaboration, and new possibilities for how societies organize and grow.
At the center of this conversation is Próspera, on the island of Roatán—the most advanced privately funded startup city initiative in the world:
* $200M in funding (Coinbase, Draper, Pronomos VC)
* 3,000+ local employees
* 40+ startups with longevity, crypto, fintech + local companies including a Montessori school, tourism, food services & more
* 500+ virtual global startups
Tim Draper has called Próspera, "the next Dubai"
The Próspera Ecosystem - Roatan, Honduras
We’ll also touch on mission-driven startups expanding access to entrepreneurship globally—particularly in regions where traditional systems have limited opportunity.
Confirmed Speakers
Erick Brimen, Honduras - CEO of Prospera
Patri Friedman - GP of Pronomos VC
Hugo Mathecowitsch, Brazil - CEO of Tools for the Commons
Florian Fournier, Zanzibar - Founder of Our World
Lonis Hamaili, Honduras - VP of Prospera
What to Expect
• Perspectives from founders & investors actively building startup cities and new innovation systems
• Insight into emerging opportunities at the intersection of AI, governance, and virtual economic systems
• Conversations on the future of global entrepreneurship, beyond just Silicon Valley
• Curated connections with founders, investors, and ecosystem builders
Who This Is For
• Founders building at the frontier of technology and systems
• Investors seeking early insight into new global innovation models
• Ecosystem builders shaping the future of entrepreneurship
• Those interested in how innovation can expand access and opportunity worldwide, beyond Silicon Valley
Light DAO convenes a global community of experienced founders and investors aligned around innovation that benefits humanity.
It's a fast-growing global network of over 10,000+ entrepreneurs, including 2,000 investors, with curated in-person and online gatherings and experiences in LA, NYC, SF, Lisbon, Taipei, and Australia.
Our heartfelt mission is to expand the collective consciousness and co-create a thriving regenerative future for humanity.
VENUE DETAILS: SOMA District
GUIDELINES: This is more than your typical, business networking event.
Light Dao is a private club for leaders seeking to join a like-valued global tribe and excited to deeply connect with fellow entrepreneurs and investors on a "whole person level," beyond just business networking.
We respectfully ask everyone to arrive before 3:00PM when the door will be closed, for our signature "Connection Experience," which has been a favorite among past guests.
Please note, friends or Plus 1s must RSVP individually.
JOIN US: We are excited to welcome you to our global community! http://wearelight.one/
Our past San Francisco Salon Guest Speakers have included:
Tim Chang, Mayfield Fund with $4B in exits, and a pioneer in human potential
Chris Yeh, Co-author with Reid Hoffman of Blitzscaling, on scaling impactful tech startups
Tom Chi, GoogleX Founding Team Leader & Founder of $500M+ ClimateTech Funds at AtOne Ventures
Nichol Bradford, Founder of HumanTechWeek & GP of the Niremia Fund .
Adam Gries, Founder of the global VitalistBay conference and the Vitalism Movement.
Nola Masterton, LP & Venture Partner of Portfolio & MD of Science Futures.
Jeremy Nixon, Architect of the famed SF Bay Area AGI Hacker Houses
Ani Chahal Honan, Founder & MP of the $1 Billion "Beneficial AI Fund" IMAGINE Ventures
Vivienne Ming, Co-founder of Socos and an AI and neuroscience visionary and scientist
Ashley Bell, Leading a $500M fund focused on underserved communities
AJ Keller, Founder of Neurosity funded by Adam Draper, at the cutting edge of BCI technology
Agnieszka Pilat, Robotics artist & "artist in residence" at XPrize, Boston Dynamics & Seoul airport exhibition
De Kai, True AI OG with 40 years experience. New AI book endorsed by Geoffrey Hinton & MC Hammer.
Mariane Bekker, Founder of the 90,000 member Founders Bay & Venture Fund.
Daniel Theobald, Founder of Vecna Robotics & MassRobotics & Chairman of the Founders Guild
*By registering for this event, you agree to receive event-related communications from the organizers and Human+Tech Week. Registration information may be shared with Human+Tech Week and its official partners to support event coordination, communication, and reporting purposes. All information is handled responsibly in accordance with Luma’s privacy standards and Human+Tech Week’s data protection policies.