Philly Startup Expo
About the Event
Code&Coffee Philly is partnering with OneSixOne Ventures in the Philly Startup Expo Series!
If you are a Startup that wants to demo and participate in the Expo, please sign up here! Cracked ecosystem builders like the Foundry and UEV will be here with us on the day as well!
The Philly Startup Expo transforms the Pennovation Center into a high-energy, science fair-style demo floor — where founders host tables and attendees circulate freely, engaging directly with builders and investors.
This is interactive. No long pitches. No hiding behind slides. Just real products, real traction, and real conversations.
The entire 3-hour experience — demos, panel, and interviews — will be professionally recorded for video and podcast distribution.
Hour 1: Startup Expo + Networking + Snacks
Founders will host dedicated demo tables showcasing:
Live product builds
Technical prototypes
AI, biotech, and software platforms
Early traction and roadmap walkthroughs
Attendees rotate table-to-table in an open expo format designed for:
Efficient deal flow
Direct founder feedback
Fast relationship-building
Coffee and light snacks will be available.
This is high-signal networking — not idle mingling.
Hour 2: High-Calibur Panel
Topic: How to Vet Founders and How Founders should vet VCs & LPs
Three seasoned, high-caliber individuals — spanning venture capital, LP strategy, and founder experience — will unpack what actually matters when capital and companies come together.
Panel themes include:
For Investors
What signals separate durable founders from hype
Pattern recognition vs. real conviction
How to evaluate integrity, resilience, and execution
Red flags you only learn after writing checks
For Founders
How to diligence VCs beyond brand name
Understanding LP pressure and fund structure
Misaligned incentives to watch for
How to assess value-add vs. performative capital
This conversation is built for founders who want leverage — and investors who care about long-term alignment.
No recycled advice. Just operator-level insight.
Hour 3: Live Recording + Podcast Sessions
We’ll conduct on-site:
Founder spotlight interviews
Investor mini-features
Ecosystem conversations
Rapid-fire insights from demo participants
Content will be distributed via video and podcast platforms to amplify participating startups and speakers.
This is exposure with intention — not vanity content.
Who Should Attend
Founders:
Host a table. Demo your build. Pressure-test your story.
Investors & LPs:
Meet emerging teams in an efficient, curated format.
Operators & Ecosystem Builders
Engage directly with capital allocators and builders shaping Philadelphia’s next wave.
Why Join
🎯 Direct access to capital and conviction
🧪 Science fair-style demo format for real engagement
🧠 Advanced discussion on vetting power dynamics in venture
🎙️ Recorded exposure via podcast + video
☕ Focused, high-energy environment
If you're building, allocating, or advising — this is where alignment gets sharpened.
IMPORTANT: Make sure to stay on the 1st floor of Pennovation at all times to avoid disrupting Pennovation members at work.
OneSixOne Ventures
At OneSixOne Ventures, we specialize in bringing top founders, investors and tech leaders through highly curated events. In 2025, we've hosted 75 events across 13 cities with over 10,000 attendees,
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