Inside Silicon Valley's Top Funds: How Different Investors Evaluate AI Opportunities
What sets leading Silicon Valley investors apart? How top funds source opportunities, evaluate founders and markets, and decide which companies to back - and how angel investors can participate alongside them?
Join SIC in Palo Alto for an evening of candid conversations with experienced angel and institutional investors on how investing really works in Silicon Valley. Through real portfolio examples and practical frameworks, speakers will share how investment decisions are made, what makes a company investable, and how angels can build productive relationships with funds.
We’ll also explore how SIC connects members with fund relationships, co-investment opportunities, and Taiwan’s growing AI and semiconductor ecosystem.
Whether you’re an experienced angel or looking to become more active in the venture ecosystem, you’ll leave with practical insights and meaningful connections across the Silicon Valley investment community.
You’ll walk away with:
How different types of funds, including university-affiliated funds, CVCs, traditional VCs, and cross-border investors, evaluate opportunities in Silicon Valley’s AI ecosystem.
How Silicon Valley funds approach sourcing, evaluating, and selecting early-stage investments.
Real investment examples and the decision-making frameworks behind them.
How angels and international investors can build relationships with Silicon Valley funds and access deal flow and co-investment opportunities.
How SIC members can access fund relationships, deal flow, and co-investment opportunities through the SIC network.
Speaker
Simon Lancaster — Founding General Partner, Omni Ventures
Simon Lancaster is the Founding General Partner of Omni Ventures, investing in early-stage companies across AI, robotics, automation, and advanced manufacturing. With 15+ years of experience at Apple, Google, and BlackBerry, Simon brings deep technical and operating expertise to venture investing.
Sanjay Velappan — Principal, Berkeley SkyDeck
Sanjay Velappan is a Principal at Berkeley SkyDeck, UC Berkeley’s startup accelerator and venture fund. With experience in venture investing and supporting early-stage startups, Sanjay brings valuable insights into the Silicon Valley startup ecosystem.
Pauline Tsai — Investment Director, Bosch Ventures
Pauline Tsai is an Investment Director at Bosch, focusing on early-stage investments across climate and deep tech. With experience in sourcing, evaluating, and supporting startups, Pauline brings a strong perspective on corporate venture investing and the intersection of technology and industry.
Benny Liao — Principal, Acorn Pacific Ventures
Benny Liao is a Principal at Acorn Pacific Ventures, an early-stage venture capital firm focused on Seed and Series A investments. As a founder-turned-VC with experience building and scaling a fintech startup, Benny brings both entrepreneurial and investment perspectives across AI, Enterprise SaaS, and consumer sectors.
Agenda
17:30 -18:00 Registration
18:00 - 18:15 Opening
18:15 - 18:40 Silicon Valley Investment Opportunities in the AI Era
18:40 - 19:20 Learn from the Best: Inside How Silicon Valley Funds Invest
19:20–20:00 Networking
Who should attend: Angel investors, family office representatives, and professionals interested in becoming more active in the venture ecosystem. SIC members and guests who are curious about joining are welcome.