UGLY TALK X THE BUILDER SERIES: BROOKLYN TECH FOUNDERS OPEN MIC & MIXER 🥂
Forget awkward networking and polished founder panels.
Ugly Talk Open Mic is a one-of-a-kind founder mixer where entrepreneurs share the setbacks, pivots, and lessons that shaped the companies they’re building today.
Throughout the night, four founders take the stage for a short, unscripted talk about one defining moment in their entrepreneurial journey. Just the story, what they learned, and what they’d do differently today.
Whether you’re actively building a company, thinking about your next move, or simply enjoy hearing the real stories behind entrepreneurship, you’ll be in a room full of founders, operators, investors, and builders who genuinely understand the journey.
After the talks, stay for drinks and a networking mixer where the conversations come naturally. By then, everyone already has something real to talk about.
If you’ve ever wished networking felt more like meeting future friends than collecting business cards, this is that room.
Interested in Speaking?
We’re looking for four founders to share a 7-minute Ugly Talk.
Founder Open Mic Sign-Up Sheet: https://tally.so/r/aQgQQ2
🎯 Why You Should Attend
Hear the version founders do not post, polish, or save for the panel circuit.
Get the lesson without paying full tuition for the mistake.
Feel the room loosen up in real time. Once one person tells the truth, everybody else can stop auditioning.
Stay for a mixer that actually works, because the small talk is already dead by then.
🙋 Who's Getting In This Room
Founders who are actively building. Not circling the idea. Not talking about someday.
People at an inflection point. Ready to make a move, make a decision, or change something real.
Builders who believe collaboration still matters, and that the best shortcut is someone telling the truth.
Founders who are open-handed with what they have learned and curious enough to learn from someone else.
What's included in event:
Small bites served mid-way through event: Pictured below
Photographer: Headshots, group photos, candid moments & shots at our branded backdrop
Videographer: Recap footage + our founder interview
Founder Spotlight (Series): Share who you are & what you’re building for reuse on socials across all our socials
Attendees will receive a NFC digital business card upon entry, thanks to SmartCard
Concierge Check in: A member of our team greets you, fits your wristband, and walks you through the event
A free month of Vettable: To help you get funded faster
Run of Show
30 minutes, Check-in
Arrive, grab a drink, and settle into the room
45 minutes, Ugly Talk Solo
Four alumni stories, 7 minutes each
Short audience Q&A between stories
15 minutes, Transition
Let the room reset before the mixer kicks in
60 minutes, Mixer
The real conversations start once the stories land
🤝 Who's Backing This
The Builder Series is a 36k member community curating founders, operators, builders & investors into intentional rooms transforming networking into curated, experience-driven environments built for lasting, high-value relationships.
The Shop is a hospitality-first workspace built for people who care about where they work. Our Brooklyn location sits in Gowanus, one of the most creatively dense neighborhoods in New York, and draws a community of founders, operators, creatives, and independent professionals who value design, intention, and good company.
We’re excited welcome you to our space for an inspiring Ugly Talk event!
GREY Journal – Media partner spotlighting modern entrepreneurs (featured on Apple News + Google News).
⭐ About Ugly Talk:
Started in 2019, Ugly Talk has been transforming business setbacks into breakthrough “aha!” moments by hosting unfiltered, no-nonsense events where battle-tested entrepreneurs share their raw lessons and insights.
With a growing presence in cities like New York, Chicago, San Francisco, and Miami, we’ve built a vibrant community of thousands of founders and industry leaders making a profound impact on the entrepreneurial landscape.
Official Website: UglyTalk.com
📢 Important Notice for Ugly Talk Attendees
Admission & Confirmation
Attendance is by approval only. Approved guests will receive a confirmation email along with a calendar invite. Invitations are non-transferable. Additional event details will be shared as the event approaches.
Code of Conduct
By attending, you agree to:
Maintain respect and professionalism, adhering to all venue rules, policies, and applicable laws.
Refrain from harassment, discrimination, unwelcome sexual advances (verbal or physical), intimidation, or inappropriate photography/recording.
Report any violations to the event hosts immediately.
Violations may result in immediate removal from the event and exclusion from future invitations.
Liability & Risk
Participation is voluntary and at your own risk. The event organizers, hosts, sponsors, and venue are not liable for personal injury, lost or stolen belongings, or any other damages incurred during the event.
Media Consent
By attending, you grant the event organizers and affiliated entities the right to capture, use, and distribute photos, videos, and audio recordings of you for promotional, marketing, and other lawful purposes, including digital and print media, advertising, and social media. You waive any right to inspect or approve the final materials and release all claims related to their use.
Communications
By registering, you agree to receive marketing and promotional communications from Ugly Talk and its co-hosts, partners, and sponsors. You may unsubscribe at any time.
Agreement
If you do not agree to this Code of Conduct, please refrain from attending the event.
🚀 Join us to stay updated on upcoming Ugly Talk events!
Official Event Page: [Link]