Founder Speakeasy {001}
Real conversations. No pitching. Just founders talking freely.
Most startup events are loud, fast, and full of small talk.
The Founder Speakeasy is different.
It’s a private room for thoughtful founders, creators, and investors who value honesty over hype.
Here, we gather in small circles, share what we’re really building, and trade lessons that don’t make it to LinkedIn.
No slide decks. No sales pitches.
Just stories, curiosity, and the quiet energy that comes from people who’ve been in the arena.
This is your space to speak candidly — about wins, fears, pivots, or the weird ideas you’re still figuring out.
Let’s make startup conversations feel real again.
** Due to the nature of this event, attendance is limited. Please register through Luma — we can’t accommodate walk-ins.
🕰 Agenda
5:00 – 6:30 | Open Lounge
Arrive, grab a drink, and settle into a calm chat with your small circle.
You’ll get a few conversation cards to help kick things off — just enough structure to skip the small talk and dive into real founder stories.
6:30 – 6:45 | Opening & Ground Rules
A quick welcome and the “Speakeasy code” — how to keep conversations safe, honest, and pitch-free.
6:45 – 8:00 | Stories from the Floor
Instead of formal pitches, we host Founder Stories.
Each participant can share:
what they’re building,
what challenge they’re wrestling with, or
what they’ve recently learned.
Short, candid, and conversational — then open discussion from the room.
8:00 onward | Connections that Matter
Mingle intentionally — reconnect with anyone whose story resonated. Think of it as founder therapy meets quiet networking.
Food&Bev
Pizza and drinks will be provided!
Huge thanks to our sponsors
The Venue
Thanks to our generous sponsor, Beltway Bits, we’ve got an amazing rooftop in Washington, DC downtown. Come enjoy a friendly conversation with fellow startups.
It's awesome! Here are some pics: