Femigrants Annual Forum 2026: AI, CAPITAL, & GLOBAL PARTNERSHIP
Femigrants Annual Forum is the movement that connects 300+ global founders, Fortune 500 executives, venture capitalists, and diplomats for one purpose: build real partnerships, unlock capital, and accelerate cross-border opportunities—without the fluff.
VCs and investors joining us from Suncoast Ventures, Silicon Valley Venture, Plug and Play Ventures, All Raise, AI Syndicate, FTB Capital Group, and more.
*This event is open to ALL GENDERS and global and international leaders, and non-immigrants supporting and empowering globality and humanity.
This forum is organized by Aytakin Aliyeva, the Founder of the Femigrants Foundation.
Femigrants is a global community of global immigrant leaders in tech, startups, and investment. At Femigrants, we connect immigrants to business and career growth resources through elegant networking events and leadership training programs.
This event is generously hosted by Plug and Play.
A special thank-you to Sanam (Amidi) Amidhozour — Chief Brand Officer, Plug and Play Tech Center (PNPTC), COO & Treasurer of the PNPTC Foundation, and Silicon Valley Business Journal’s 40 Under 40 (Class of 2025)—for supporting Femigrants’ mission and helping bring this forum to life.
SPONSOR ANNOUNCEMENT
Silkroad Innovation Hub is the official sponsor of the Startup Panel at the Femigrants Annual Forum 2026. Special thanks to Asset Abdualiyev, Founder & CEO of Silkroad Innovation Hub, for supporting Femigrants Foundation and our mission to empower global founders and tech leaders.
What to Expect
It’s a curated forum designed for high-quality conversations, genuine collaboration, and measurable results.
Program Highlights
Grand Opening | Keynote remarks by global diplomats & C-suite leaders
Keynotes + panel discussions featuring executive-level global leaders across: Startups & scale-ups | Investment & venture | Fortune 500 tech
Startup Pitch Showcase (5 selected startups): The top 3 winners receive prizes and gifts from our sponsors (to be announced soon)
Photo Booth + elevated experience moments
Event Booth: Small and medium businesses led by immigrant leaders or supporting immigrants and global leaders
Breakfast | Lunch (Mediterranean + vegetarian option | Reception (drinks + appetizers, finger food, Turkish baklava)
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SPEAKERS
Our speaker lineup includes global diplomats, C-suite leaders, and executive-level leaders from startups, investment firms, and Fortune 500 tech companies.
KEYNOTE SPEAKERS
Ronaldo Costa Filho, Consulate General of Brazil in San Francisco
Isabella Tomás, Austrian Consul in San Francisco & the Bay Area; Co-Director of Open Austria
Rishi Oberoi, Deputy Chief Financial Officer, Varo Bank ($1B+ Capital Raises | 30x Scaling | Ex-PwC, Deloitte & BNP Paribas)
Maher Hanafi, Senior Vice President of Engineering, Betterworks. Total funding: $161.5M
FORTUNE 500 TECH PANEL#1
Amjad Shaikh, Vice President, Platform & AI, Service Now
Ginniee Singh, Senior Sales Leader, North America, Amazon Web Services (AWS)
Anh Tran, Sr Manager Monetization Strategy, LinkedIn
Sanam Amidi, Chief Brand Officer, Plug & Play [moderator]
INVESTORS PANEL #2
Brian Sparkes, CEO/Founder & Chief Venture Officer, Silicon Valley Venture. Host of the Silicon Valley Impact Podcast [Moderator]
Sobhan Khani, President & Partner, Plug and Play Ventures
Chima Osuka, VC, Senior Partner, Suncoast Ventures
Tess Robinson, Managing Partner, FTB Capital Group
Emery Han, Platform GTM, STRIPE
STARTUP LEADERS PANEL #3
Aytakin Aliyeva, CEO/ Founder, Femigrants Foundation | L'Experiant [moderator]
William Santana Li, Chairman and CEO, Knightscope, Inc. (NASDAQ: KSCP)
Simon Wistow, Co-Founder, Fastly (NASDAQ: FSLY). Revenue: $172.61M
Sandeep Chopra, Co-CEO, Everest Systems. Total funding: $140 million (Top-tier investors, including Sutter Hill Ventures, Altimeter Capital, Redpoint Ventures, and D1 Capital)
Ruchi Kasliwal, Vice President of Finance, Zededa Inc. Total funding: $130M
JUDGES for the STARTUP PITCH CONTEST
Chloe Takahashi, Angel Investor. General Partner, AI Syndicate
JP Persico, Investor, Managing Partner, shuckerVC
Iryna Voskerician, Managing Partner, MachX
Benjamin Brand, Head of Corporate Partnerships, Plug and Play Ventures
Viki Huang, Investor/VC, P7 Ventures, an Aramco Ventures-affiliated fund
Event Booth
Bio will be added shortly.
Agenda
No fluff. Just high-impact connections.
10:00 AM – 11:00 AM
CHECK-IN | BREAKFAST | NETWORKING
Connect with global leaders in startups, investment, and Fortune 500 companies while enjoying coffee, tea, pastries, and fresh fruit. Start the day with meaningful conversations and business relationship-building from the moment you walk in.
11:00 AM – 11:45 AM
GRAND OPENING | WELCOMING REMARKS
Opening remarks from the Founder of the Femigrants Foundation, global diplomats, and sponsoring partners. This session sets the tone for a day focused on AI, capital, partnerships, and global leadership.
11:45 AM – 12:30 PM
THE VISION | KEYNOTE SPEECHES
C-suite executives, investors, and global leaders share their perspectives on the future of AI, capital, innovation, and global talent. Expect bold insights on where the world is heading and how leaders can stay ahead.
12:30 PM – 1:00 PM
THE FUTURE | PANEL DISCUSSION #1: FORTUNE 500 TECH STRATEGY
Senior leaders and executives from Fortune 500 tech companies discuss how they recruit immigrant talent, build high-performing teams, and lead transformation in the age of AI. A powerful conversation on leadership, workforce strategy, and innovation at scale.
1:00 PM – 2:00 PM
THE NETWORK | LUNCH & CURATED CONNECTIONS
Forget eating alone. This is your time to connect with founders, investors, executives, diplomats, and future collaborators over lunch. Build relationships that can turn into partnerships, clients, capital, and long-term opportunities.
2:00 PM – 3:45 PM
THE DEAL FLOW | STARTUP PITCH COMPETITION
Watch 5 high-potential startups pitch live and receive direct feedback from our investor panel. The top 3 startups will be recognized with gifts and awards from Femigrants and sponsoring partners.
3:45 PM – 4:15 PM
THE CAPITAL PLAYBOOK | PANEL DISCUSSION #3: INVESTORS
Venture partners and angel investors share practical insights on raising capital, navigating investor conversations, understanding what gets attention, and preparing for growth in competitive markets.
4:15 PM – 4:30 PM
RESET | NETWORKING BREAK
Take a short break to recharge, connect, and prepare for the final sessions of the day, including the startup founders panel and live pitch competition.
4:30 PM – 5:10 PM
THE BUILDERS | PANEL DISCUSSION #4: STARTUP FOUNDERS
Leaders of high-growth startups with more than $120M raised and (IPO) public companies will share their journeys of fundraising, scaling teams, navigating leadership, and building companies in a rapidly changing AI-driven environment.
5:10 PM – 5:15 PM
FINAL ANNOUNCEMENTS | CLOSING REMARKS
Official closing remarks, startup pitch awards, and final acknowledgments to speakers, sponsors, partners, and guests who helped make the forum possible.
5:15 PM – 6:00 PM
RECEPTION | RED CARPET CELEBRATION
End the day with premium cocktails, a professional red-carpet photo experience, and relaxed networking with speakers, investors, founders, and executives. A beautiful closing designed for both relationship-building and personal brand visibility.
SPEAKERS' BIOS
Aytakin Aliyeva, CEO & Founder, Femigrants Foundation | L'Expèriant [Welcoming Remarks]
Aytakin Aliyeva is a Forbes and Business Insider–featured community builder and the Founder of the Femigrants Foundation, a global community connecting immigrant leaders across startups, venture capital, and Fortune 500 tech.
She has organized over 200 professional networking and leadership events across the Bay Area, London, and New York, bringing together founders, executives, and investors to foster meaningful partnerships and drive growth opportunities. S
Aytakin is also the creator of L’Expèriant, a premium event experience brand focused on designing elegant, high-impact gatherings for startups and corporate leaders.
Aytakin is a member of the Forbes Nonprofit Council, host of the Verso Talk with Aytakin podcast, and a LinkedIn creator with 30K+ followers. Her work has been recognized globally, including two Gold Awards at the Women Changing the World Awards in London and recognition as a Top 100 Women in Tech Community Builder by KSV. She previously worked at Fortune 500 technology companies, including Instagram, Meta, NVIDIA, and HTC VIVE.
Ronaldo Costa Filho, Consulate General of Brazil in San Francisco [Welcoming Remarks]
Ambassador Ronaldo Costa is a career diplomat who graduated from the Instituto Rio Branco in 1987 and has held senior positions at Brazil’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, including roles in trade policy, European Union negotiations, and as Chief Negotiator for services during the WTO Doha Round.
He later served as Director of Extra-Regional Trade Negotiations and Undersecretary-General for Economic and Financial Affairs, acting as Brazil’s G20 sherpa and overseeing international economic engagements. His overseas postings include New York (UN), Ecuador, Geneva (WTO), and Brussels (EU).
He served as Brazil’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations (2020–2023) and led the country’s delegation to the UN Security Council. Since June 2023, he has been the Consul General of Brazil in San Francisco.
Isabella Tomás, Austrian Consul in San Francisco & the Bay Area; Co-Director of Open Austria [Welcoming Remarks]
Isabella Thomàs Austrian diplomat with more than 15 years in the Foreign Service, focusing on tech-developments in the San Francisco Bay Area and beyond, member of the Tech Diplomacy Network.
Trained in Romance languages & literature, Political Science, and Journalism. Previous postings at the Austrian Embassies in Belgrade, Madrid, and Brasília. She was Austria´s focal point in the EU´s digital diplomacy network before coming to San Francisco, working on multilateral digital and cyber affairs.
Richi Oberoi, Deputy Chief Financial Officer, Varo Bank. $1B+ Capital Raises [Keynote Speaker]
Rishi Oberoi is a transformational finance leader with more than two decades of experience building and scaling finance organizations in banking, fintech, and high-growth companies. At Varo Bank, he built the accounting function from the ground up and rose to Deputy CFO, where he helped guide capital planning, fundraising efforts, investor reporting, and regulatory engagement while supporting the company’s growth and strategic transformation.
Earlier in his career, Rishi worked at Deloitte, PwC, and BNP Paribas, building a strong foundation in finance, audit, and advisory. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Economics, a Master of Science in Money, Banking and Finance, and is a Fellow Chartered Accountant (FCA) with the ICAEW. He also completed a professional certification in Fintech: Future Commerce from MIT.
Maher Hanafi, SVP of Engineering, Betterworks. Total funding: $161.5M [Keynote Speaker]
Maher Hanafi is the SVP of Engineering at Betterworks, where he leads the company’s AI vision and development of Generative AI applications powering enterprise HR technology and talent intelligence platforms.
A self-taught software engineer originally from Tunisia, his journey took him through Canada and ultimately to Silicon Valley, where he now focuses on building responsible AI solutions that drive digital transformation and empower organizations to manage talent and performance better.
Brian Sparkes, CEO, Silicon Valley Ventures | Head of Strategic Ventures & Activation at STAK Ventures | Host of the Silicon Valley Impact podcast [EMC]
Brian Sparkes is the CEO of Silicon Valley Venture LLC, a global venture platform connecting investors, founders, and ecosystem leaders through access, alignment, and acceleration. A third-generation Silicon Valley entrepreneur, he is known as a “super connector,” facilitating high-value relationships and opportunities across the startup and investment landscape.
He serves as Head of Strategic Ventures & Activation at STAK Ventures, where he designs and scales venture ecosystems that turn community into deal flow, capital access, and market growth. As a Strategic GTM Communication advisor, Brian works with over 1,400 startups and executives annually, helping them refine their positioning, attract investment, and accelerate traction.
Brian is also the host of the Silicon Valley Impact podcast and a former Head of Communication for Bay Angels.
Amjad Shaikh, Vice President, Platform & AI, Service Now [Fortune 500 Tech Panel]
Amjad Shaikh is the VP of Platform and AI Engineering at ServiceNow, where he helps drive the company’s transformation toward AI-native, self-learning enterprises.
With 20+ years of experience bridging product, engineering, and innovation leadership, he focuses on building systems where AI and humans collaborate to make trusted, transparent, and high-impact decisions.
He is an expert in AI architecture, governance, and platform strategy, known for translating emerging AI research into enterprise-grade solutions and advancing thought leadership in Agentic AI, Decision Observability, and AI Governance.
Ginniee Singh, Senior Leader, Amazon | AWS AI [Fortune 500 Tech Panel]
Ginniee Singh is a global AI and revenue strategy leader and AWS senior leader for North America, advising and volunteering on real-time cognitive intelligence for revenue teams.
She brings over 18 years of experience with Fortune 500 companies across financial services, payments, fintech, and healthtech, driving over $1 billion in enterprise growth. She actively serves on advisory boards, advancing AI-driven innovation and empowering the next generation of leaders and builders.
Anh Tran, Sr Manager Monetization Strategy, LinkedIn [Fortune 500 Tech Panel]
Anh Tran is a strategy and operations leader with a diverse background spanning investment banking, management consulting, and monetization strategy in the technology sector.
She currently serves as a Senior Manager of Monetization Strategy at LinkedIn, where she leads go-to-market strategy for enterprise hiring products, partnering closely with product management and engineering teams to drive growth and customer impact.
Prior to LinkedIn, Anh spent seven years in investment banking at Citizens Bank and Barclays in New York, followed by management consulting at Strategy&, where she advised clients on strategic initiatives and operational transformation.
Anh holds an MBA from New York University and brings a strong analytical and cross-functional perspective to scaling products and monetization strategies in high-growth environments.
Sanam Amidi, Chief Brand Officer, Plug & Play [Fortune 500 Tech Panel Moderator]
Sanam Amidi is the Chief Brand Officer at Plug and Play, where she serves as a strategic partner to the C-Suite in shaping the company’s global vision, purpose, and cultural identity. As the ultimate guardian of the brand’s soul, Sanam is responsible for driving year-over-year revenue growth strategy while ensuring absolute brand consistency across every global touchpoint. Prior to her appointment as CBO, Sanam served as the VP of Automation and Operations at Plug and Play.
Before joining Plug and Play, Sanam honed her commercial operations, marketing expertise, and community management at startups and Disney Interactive, focussed within multiple high-growth startups across the healthcare and gaming sectors.
She holds a B.A. in Management and Entrepreneurship from the University of British Columbia.
William Santana Li, Chairman and CEO, Knightscope, Inc. (NASDAQ: KSCP) [Startup Panel]
Bill is the Chairman and CEO of Knightscope and is a seasoned entrepreneur, intrapreneur, and former corporate executive at Ford Motor Company. He was the Founder and COO of GreenLeaf, which became the world's 2nd largest automotive recycler (now part of NASDAQ: LKQ), and holds a bachelor's degree in electrical engineering from Carnegie Mellon University and an MBA from the University of Detroit Mercy. His long-term ambition is to make the United States of America the safest country in the world, and he is building the nation's first Autonomous Security Force.
Simon Wistow, Co-Founder, Fastly (NASDAQ: FSLY). Revenue: $172.61M [Startup Panel]
Simon is a co-founder at Fastly, where he leads strategic initiatives.
Before founding Fastly, Simon was a senior search engineer at Yahoo! Europe, LiveJournal, SixApart, Scribd, and was an early employee at the social help desk company Zendesk.
In a past life, he worked on R&D for a leading VFX Company doing films like the Harry Potter series, Troy, and Wallace and Gromit. At one point, he worked as a cowboy in Australia. Mostly because it seemed like a good idea at the time.
Sandeep Chopra, Co-SEO, Everest Systems. Total funding: $140M [Startup Panel]
Sandeep Chopra is a seasoned software executive and co-founder of Everest Systems, a company reinventing ERP for the AI era. With over two decades of experience, he has defined and positioned enterprise 1.0 products across diverse industry verticals.
Sandeep helped to incubate Everest Systems while he was an Entrepreneur in Residence at Sutter Hill Ventures. Previously, he served as VP of Product Management at Veeva Systems, where he led the development of industry-leading quality and manufacturing applications for the life sciences industry.
Ruchi Kasliwal, Vice President of Finance, Zededa Inc. Total funding: $130M [Startup Panel]
Ruchi Kasliwal is a finance and operations executive with over two decades of leadership experience helping technology companies scale with strategic discipline and operational rigor. Most recently, she served as Vice President of Finance and Business Operations at ZEDEDA, where she built and led global functions across finance, accounting, HR, legal, IT, and revenue operations to support the company’s growth in edge orchestration and AI infrastructure. She works closely with executive teams and investors to translate complex technology innovation into sustainable, scalable business models.
Earlier in her career, Ruchi held senior finance leadership roles at Confluent, MongoDB, and Quotient Technology, helping build the financial infrastructure that supported rapid growth and successful IPO preparations. She holds an MBA and an Accounting degree from Santa Clara University, as well as a Master’s degree in Marketing from India.
Sobhan Khani, President & Partner at Plug and Play Ventures [Investor Panel]
Sobhan Khani is a Partner at Plug and Play Ventures with over a decade of experience building global innovation partnerships between startups, investors, and Fortune 500 companies. Since joining Plug and Play in 2014, he has helped launch new accelerator programs, including initiatives connecting startups with leaders in mobility, smart cities, industrial IoT, energy, and real estate, while building strategic alliances with major global corporations such as Ford, GM, Jaguar Land Rover, Daimler, and Chrysler.
Sobhan holds a Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Tehran, a Master’s degree in Business Administration from the Thunderbird School of Global Management, and a Master’s degree in Engineering Management from the University of Southern California. He also completed the Executive Program for Growing Companies at Stanford and earned a Certificate in Private Equity and Venture Capital from Harvard Business School.
Chima Osuka, VC, Senior Partner, Suncoast VC [Investor Panel]
Chima Osuka is a venture investor and innovation leader focused on early-stage startups in healthcare and emerging technology. He currently serves as a Senior Venture Partner at Suncoast Ventures, where he works with founders building high-impact companies. Previously, he helped build and lead the incubation and innovation arm at Anthem BCBS, supporting startups and new ventures aimed at improving healthcare delivery and outcomes.
Tess Robinson, Managing Partner, FTB Capital Group [Investor Panel]
Tess is the Managing Partner at FTB Capital Group, where she leads the Longevity Fund with part of the investment thesis as: Next-Gen Health & Longevity: Innovations in fitness, recovery, nutrition, and preventative care that enhance physical and cognitive performance.
Personalized Wellness: Tech-driven solutions and wearables focused on individualized health optimization and aging science. She believes the best investments come from founders who prioritize longevity over burnout.
Emery Han, Platform GTM, Stripe [Investor Panel]
Previous managed corporate partnership at Plug and Play, VP at Digital Domain, and Investor at CMIG Capital. Emery has graduated from Stanford Graduate School of Business and Columbia College
Chloe Takahashi, Investor, General Partner, AI Syndicate [Startup Pitch Judge]
GP of AI syndicate focused on democratizing access to exceptional founders. (AI, healthcare, and consumer) 2x founder. Former Techstars Program Manager.
JP Persico, Investor, Managing Partner, shuckerVC [Startup Pitch Judge]
JP Persico is Co-Founder and Managing Partner at shuckerVC, a Bay Area seed fund investing in AI-powered B2B software companies. With over 20 years of experience in business transformation and venture capital, JP previously served as Head of Strategy and CVC for a major industrial conglomerate, where his investments achieved top decile DPI. His operational experience includes driving 20x growth as VP of Platform at a mobile auto repair software platform. JP advises SaaS, AI, and deep tech startups and holds an MBA from Northwestern University's Kellogg School of Management.
Iryna Voskerician, Managing Partner, MachX [Startup Pitch Judge]
Iryna Voskerician is the Founder and Managing Partner of MachX, a venture capital firm focused on frontier technologies, including biotech, space, AI, and consumer innovation.
She is a graduate of Venture University’s highly selective VC/PE Investor Accelerator, where she was formally trained in the full investment cycle by world-class mentors including J. Skyler Fernandes (Top 100 Powerlist VC, early investor in OpenAI, Beyond Meat, and Figure AI) and Andrew Zalasin (former General Partner at RRE Ventures, early investor in Facebook, Uber, Twitter, and Venmo).
In parallel, Iryna is the Founder and Editor-in-Chief of Red Hot Monde Magazine, a boutique media platform spotlighting entrepreneurs, investors, and changemakers across fashion, art, wellness, real estate, and finance. As a creative venture, she also serves as Co-Executive Producer of Silicon Valley Stilettos, a bold new reality TV series co-created with Emmy Award–winning producer Rick Borjas.
Benjamin Brand, Plug and Play Ventures, Head of Corporate Partnerships [Startup Pitch Judge]
Benjamin Brand is Head of Corporate Partnerships at Plug and Play, one of the most active venture capital firms globally. He works closely with Fortune 500 companies to identify, validate, and deploy emerging technologies, with a focus on digital transformation.
Prior to Plug and Play, Ben spent nearly a decade in New York City working for the Korean government, where he served as the lead consultant driving its open innovation and venture initiatives, connecting multinational corporations with high-growth startups. Before that, he lived and worked in South Korea for several years at a Korean multinational in a corporate consulting role, later becoming involved in the local startup ecosystem.
He advises and mentors startups on international expansion, product development, and fundraising, and continues to build new ventures in his spare time.
Topics of Discussions
Expect practical, real-world conversations around what’s shaping the market right now—across AI, startups, Fortune 500 innovation, and global collaboration:
AI in the real world (beyond the hype): how founders and executives are using AI to drive growth, efficiency, and smarter decisions
Global partnerships that actually work: cross-border collaboration, enterprise partnerships, and go-to-market alliances
Capital & investment in today’s climate: what investors look for now, how founders position for funding, and strategic partnership-driven growth
Immigrant and expat leadership: lessons from leaders who rebuilt careers, launched companies, and scaled impact
Community building that opens doors: social impact, credibility, and visibility that accelerates trust
Mindset + resilience: navigating uncertainty, obstacles, and big transitions while staying focused on execution
Shaping representation: initiatives that elevate immigrant and refugee contributions and create positive narratives
Startup Pitch Opportunity (Application Required)
We’ll select 5 top startups to pitch live on stage at the Femigrants Forum through an application-based process.
How selection works:
Startups submit an application
A review commission evaluates applications
The top 5 startups are selected to pitch live at the forum
Awards: The top 3 winners will receive prizes and gifts from our sponsors (to be announced soon).
How to apply: Complete the application form
DEADLINE to apply: March 27, 2026 — 11:59 PM PST
Selected startups will be notified via email from the Femigrants Foundation.
Questions? Email [email protected] with the subject line: “Startup pitch”.
Who Should Attend
Startup founders building partnerships and raising capital
Investors sourcing high-quality deal flow
Fortune 500 & tech executives partnering with AI/startups
Corporate and ecosystem leaders building cross-border growth
Diplomats and international community leaders
**Age restriction 21+.
Side Note:
Our event attendees are global diplimats, c-level leaders and executives from Fortune 500 Tech companies in Silicon Valley (including but not limited to Google, Meta, Netflix, Cisco, Paypal, Linkedin, Instagram, ServiceNow, Zoom, Autodesk, Microsoft, and more), Startup Founders, Investors, Social Media Influencers, and Small to Medium Business Owners living or working in the Bay Area.
Dress Code
Official or casual classic. Recommended color: Black or navy blue (not required)
Sponsors & Partnerships
Want your brand in the room with global founders, executives, investors, and diplomats? Sponsorships are limited and designed for visibility + meaningful engagement.
For sponsorship and partnership inquiries, email: [email protected] to learn about sponsorship packages and benefits.
Contact us now to embark on this exciting journey together!
Event Booths (For Small Businesses & Brands)
If you’re interested in an event booth, please email [email protected] before purchasing your ticket with the subject line: Event Booth.
We’ll share booth availability, details, and answer any questions.
Menu
We’re serving a Mediterranean lunch with a vegetarian option.
The detailed menu will be added soon.
Tickets (Please Read Before Purchasing)
Ticket inclusions vary based on the option you choose. Some tickets include full-day access (10 AM–7 PM), and some are half-day access (Happy Hour not included for half-day tickets).
Please read the details under each ticket option carefully before selecting your ticket.
Ticket Policy:
All tickets are non-refundable.
All tickets are non-transferable.
We are unable to accommodate requests to transfer tickets to another attendee.
About Femigrants Foundation
Femigrants Foundation is a nonprofit (501c3) organization that aims to connect global immigrants and international leaders to business and career growth resources through professional networking & elegant event experiences.
The Founder's Story
At Femigrants Foundation, transformation begins with access to the networks that truly matter. We connect immigrants with decision-makers, mentors, and sponsors who understand the immigrant journey.
The word Femigrants stands for female immigrants. Our community was founded by Aytakin Aliyeva, who moved to Silicon Valley with just $300 and no access to the executive networks that could accelerate her career.
Despite leading a successful career in her home country, Aytakin found herself in the devastating position of begging for low-paid jobs in America. Without connections to guide her path, it took her five years to secure her first corporate role that matched her experience and background. The isolation, rejections, and closed doors she faced became the catalyst for building something transformational.
Aytakin believes that cold messages don’t always work. Real success comes from connecting immigrants with decision makers in meaningful ways that build long-term relationships in real life. These relationships lead to partnership, collaboration, investment, and sponsorship opportunities.
What started as one woman’s determination has become a prestigious global network.
Through elegant gatherings and distinguished professional training programs, we curate environments where immigrant leaders feel valued, welcomed, and celebrated.
Together, we are building an ecosystem where global leaders don’t navigate alone. We rise together through the power of authentic connection, shared wisdom, and mutual support.
Photos from previous events
About Femigrants Foundation
Femigrants Foundation is a nonprofit (501c3) organization that aims to connect global immigrants and international leaders to business and career growth resources through professional networking & elegant event experiences.
The Founder's Story
At Femigrants Foundation, transformation begins with access to the networks that truly matter. We connect immigrants with decision-makers, mentors, and sponsors who understand the immigrant journey.
The word Femigrants stands for female immigrants. Our community was founded by Aytakin Aliyeva, who moved to Silicon Valley with just $300 and no access to the executive networks that could accelerate her career.
Despite leading a successful career in her home country, Aytakin found herself in the devastating position of begging for low-paid jobs in America. Without connections to guide her path, it took her five years to secure her first corporate role that matched her experience and background. The isolation, rejections, and closed doors she faced became the catalyst for building something transformational.
Aytakin believes that cold messages don’t always work. Real success comes from connecting immigrants with decision makers in meaningful ways that build long-term relationships in real life. These relationships lead to partnership, collaboration, investment, and sponsorship opportunities.
What started as one woman’s determination has become a prestigious global network.
Through elegant gatherings and distinguished professional training programs, we curate environments where immigrant leaders feel valued, welcomed, and celebrated.
Together, we are building an ecosystem where global leaders don’t navigate alone. We rise together through the power of authentic connection, shared wisdom, and mutual support.
PARTICIPATION AGREEMENT TERMS (Effective: February 28, 2026)
By purchasing a ticket, registering, or attending any Femigrants Foundation event (the “Event”), you (“Attendee”) agree to the terms below for yourself and any guest you bring.
*You and your guest must be 21+ with ID or over to attend this event.
1) Eligibility, Check-In, and Entry
21+ only. You (and your guest, if applicable) must be 21 years or older and present a valid government-issued photo ID at check-in.
Ticket + ID required. Entry may be denied if your ticket cannot be verified or your ID does not match the registration.
Security & venue rules. You agree to comply with venue policies, security procedures, and staff instructions (including bag checks, restricted areas, and capacity limits).
Right to refuse entry / remove attendees. Femigrants Foundation may refuse entry or remove any person for safety, policy violations, disruption, harassment, or noncompliance without refund.
2) Code of Conduct (Respectful, Safe, Professional)
Femigrants Foundation is committed to a welcoming, inclusive environment.
No harassment, discrimination, or intimidation (verbal, physical, sexual, or online).
No disruptive behavior (including excessive intoxication, threats, or repeated interruptions).
No unauthorized solicitation (spamming attendees, aggressive selling, or collecting contact info without consent).
Confidentiality & respect. If someone shares personal or sensitive information, do not record or distribute it without permission.
3) Nonpartisan & Non-Religious Platform Policy (501(c)(3))
Femigrants Foundation is a nonpartisan 501(c)(3) organization.
No political campaigning or electioneering at the Event (including endorsements, fundraising for candidates/parties, campaign materials, or directing attendees to vote for/against any candidate).
No religious promotion or proselytizing as part of the Event experience.
We welcome professional dialogue aligned with our mission (leadership, innovation, community, empowerment), but Femigrants may pause or stop any discussion that conflicts with these principles.
4) Assumption of Risk
You understand and agree that Event attendance may involve risks, including (examples): crowds, loud sound, low lighting, travel risks, food allergies, and unforeseen incidents.
You assume all risks related to attending and participating, to the fullest extent permitted by law.
5) Release of Liability (Important)
To the fullest extent permitted by law, you agree that Femigrants Foundation and its directors, officers, employees, volunteers, contractors, sponsors, speakers, venue partners, and affiliates (collectively, “Released Parties”) are not liable for:
injury, illness, death, property loss, theft, or damage;
delays, disruptions, or changes to the Event; or
actions of other attendees, third parties, vendors, or the venue.
This includes claims arising from ordinary negligence (but not gross negligence or willful misconduct where prohibited by law).
6) Indemnification
You agree to defend, indemnify, and hold harmless the Released Parties from any claims, damages, liabilities, costs, or expenses (including reasonable legal fees) arising from:
your actions or omissions;
your violation of these terms; or
your violation of any law or venue policy.
7) Medical & Emergency Situations
You are responsible for your own health and wellbeing during the Event.
You authorize Femigrants Foundation and the venue to seek emergency assistance for you if needed.
You are responsible for any medical costs or related expenses.
8) Alcohol Policy (If Served)
If alcohol is served, you agree to drink responsibly and follow all laws and venue rules.
Femigrants Foundation and the venue reserve the right to refuse service and/or remove anyone for safety reasons.
9) Program Changes, Speaker Substitution, and Event Experience
Speakers, agenda, sessions, format, timing, seating, and experiences may change due to circumstances beyond our control.
Femigrants Foundation is not liable for speaker substitutions/cancellations or for any outcomes related to networking, business development, hiring, fundraising, or partnerships.
Admission may be limited by capacity, fire code, venue restrictions, or safety requirements.
10) Ticket Policy (Refunds, Transfers, Cancellations)
All ticket sales are final. Tickets are non-refundable and non-transferable, except where required by law or explicitly stated in writing by Femigrants Foundation.
No chargebacks. You agree not to dispute or charge back valid Event charges. If a chargeback occurs, Femigrants may cancel your ticket and pursue recovery of related fees and costs.
If Femigrants cancels the Event: our liability is limited to the ticket price paid (excluding travel, hotel, rideshare, parking, childcare, lost wages, or any other expenses).
If Femigrants reschedules the Event: your ticket will typically be honored for the new date; if you cannot attend, Femigrants may (at its discretion) offer a credit for a future event.
11) Photography, Video, Audio Recording, and Media Release
By attending, you acknowledge and agree:
Femigrants Foundation (and its contractors/partners) may capture photo, video, and audio during the Event for documentation, storytelling, and promotion.
You grant Femigrants Foundation the right to use your likeness, image, voice, name, title, and/or company in Event-related content across Femigrants website, newsletters, social media, partner/sponsor recaps, presentations, and promotional materials, without compensation.
You understand that Event content may be shared publicly, reposted by others, and distributed across platforms beyond Femigrants’ control.
You also grant permission for Event visuals to be included in news media, articles, press coverage, and similar media features.
Opt-out note (best effort):
If you do not wish to be photographed/recorded, notify staff at check-in. We will make reasonable efforts, but we cannot guarantee you will not appear in background footage in a public event setting.
12) Attendee Recording & Content Restrictions
To protect privacy and intellectual property:
No recording, livestreaming, or photographing of sessions/speakers/attendees for commercial use without written permission from Femigrants Foundation.
Do not share private attendee information (names, faces, titles, contact details) without consent.
Femigrants may ask you to stop recording or may remove you for noncompliance.
13) Sponsors, Speakers, and Vendor Interactions
Sponsors/vendors may offer materials or invitations. You choose whether to engage.
Femigrants Foundation is not responsible for sponsor/vendor products, services, offers, or conduct.
Any business relationship formed at the Event is solely between you and the other party.
14) Communications (Email/SMS)
By registering, you consent to receive Event-related communications from Femigrants Foundation (confirmation, updates, logistics, follow-ups).
You may unsubscribe from non-essential marketing emails at any time; operational/event messages may still be sent when necessary.
15) Personal Property
You are responsible for your own belongings.
Femigrants Foundation and the venue are not responsible for lost, stolen, or damaged items.
16) Force Majeure
Femigrants Foundation is not liable for delays, changes, or cancellation due to events beyond reasonable control (examples: severe weather, power outages, venue issues, labor disruptions, public health emergencies, government restrictions, or acts of God).
17) Governing Law
These terms are governed by the laws of the State of California, without regard to conflict-of-law rules.
18) Agreement & Severability
If any part of these terms is found unenforceable, the remaining parts still apply.
If you do not agree to these terms, do not register or attend.
Questions
For questions or special requests, contact: [email protected]