​GFX Founder Forum

​Hosted by Growth Factory Ventures

​The Urban Hive | Sacramento

​April 16, 2026

​2:00–6:00 PM

​Curated invite

​The GFX Founder Forum is a working-style gathering built to bring founders, operators, advisors, and builders into one room for practical conversation and collaboration. This forum exists to strengthen the founder ecosystem across the region by creating a space where real company-building challenges can be discussed openly and where trusted relationships can form over time.

​Growth Factory is hosting this forum to increase founder density and deepen connections between those actively building companies and those positioned to help them. The goal is to support portfolio founders, welcome emerging founders into the ecosystem, and connect both groups with experienced operators, advisors, and aligned partners who want to contribute to the success of companies in the Backyard.

​This is not a pitch night or a formal demo day. It is a curated environment designed for honest discussion, problem-solving, and relationship-building among people who are actively building or supporting companies.

​The forum blends structured conversation with informal connection. Participants will have space to share challenges, offer perspective, explore collaboration, and build trusted relationships that continue beyond a single evening. Strategic partners are present as accessible resources and collaborators while maintaining a founder-first environment.

​This session will be anchored by four focused conversations led by experienced operators and subject matter experts, each designed to surface practical insights founders can immediately apply:

• ​Financial Management: Capital strategy, alternative funding, and financial operations

• ​Growth, Go-To-Market & Operations: Scaling effectively, building systems, and executing growth strategies

• ​AI & Technology: How founders should be leveraging AI and emerging technologies today (and what to avoid)

• ​Founder Mental Health & Performance: Navigating the psychological and emotional realities of building a company

​Each session will follow a fireside-style format led by moderator Liz Connolly, balancing guided discussion, real-world experience, and interactive dialogue.

​What to Expect

• ​Open discussions across key areas of company building

• ​Four focused sessions with experienced operators and domain experts

• ​Conversations centered on practical insight, not theory

• ​Opportunities to engage directly with speakers and participants

• ​Access to strategic partners who work closely with founders

• ​Informal networking, including snacks and refreshments

• ​A recurring forum that deepens relationships over time

​Who Should Attend

• ​Current founders at any stage

• ​Limited Partners looking to engage

• ​Former founders and experienced operators

• ​Advisors and mentors who support builders

• ​Aspiring founders preparing to start

• ​Technical builders and domain experts

• ​Strategic partners aligned with supporting founders

​Moderator

• ​Liz Connolly — Growth, operations, and founder advisory

​Featured Speakers

• ​Rick Spencer — Venture Capital

• ​Paul Ratner — Alternative Funding

• ​Danielle Nunes — Operations

• ​Ali Mackani — AI & Technology

• ​Nadja Geipert — Founder Health & Wellbeing

• ​Dave Sanders — Capital, Leadership, and Growth

• ​More TBA.