THURSDAY GATHERING #62 Connection Infrastructure: The Next Layer of Human-Centric Tech

​As technology becomes increasingly embedded in our daily lives, the question is no longer just what we build—but how it shapes the way people connect, collaborate, and trust one another. This edition of Thursday Gathering explores the emerging concept of connection infrastructure: the systems, products, and organizations that enable meaningful human relationships in a digital world.

From founder wellbeing and trustworthy AI to social health and organizational collaboration, the evening brings together entrepreneurs, product leaders, researchers, and innovators who believe the future of technology should be built around people. Join us for practical insights and thought-provoking conversations on creating digital experiences, startup cultures, and organizations that strengthen trust, belonging, and meaningful human connection.

17:15 – 18:00 | Building Human First Startups in the AI Era

As AI accelerates innovation, founders face a new challenge: building companies without sacrificing their own wellbeing or that of their teams.

Featuring:
Blenda Batista de Oliveira – Adjunct Professor, Centenary University
Arbnora Kllokoqi – Founder & CEO, Mendje
Simon von Rüden – Founder, Emina App

18:00 – 18:30 | Pitfalls and Principles for Building Technology That Enables Trust

Trust is one of the most valuable assets any company can build—and one of the easiest to lose. Drawing on experience building compliance software, trustworthy AI tools, and platforms designed to strengthen human connection, Carlotta Clauter shares practical lessons on what undermines trust in technology and how founders can design products that prioritize transparency, accountability, and long-term user confidence.

Featuring:
Carlotta Clauter – Founder, Orintis

18:30 – 19:15 | Body. Mind. Social Health Is Next – How Social Innovation Can Build Stronger Societies

Relationships are fundamental to healthy individuals, resilient organizations, and thriving communities. This session explores why social health is emerging as the next frontier alongside physical and mental wellbeing, and how founders, innovators, and organizations can help combat loneliness, strengthen belonging, and create more connected societies through thoughtful products and social innovation.

Featuring:
Lea Merkel & Enya Elstner– Co-Founders, Social Health Hub
Lara Sachs – Co-Founder, platoniq
Patricia Oleksiak – slows

19:15 – 20:00 | Connective Tissue: What Companies Lose When Functions Stop Talking

Many business challenges aren't caused by missing tools—they stem from misalignment between teams. Through real-world examples, Aleks Kireeva explores how communication gaps between commercial, product, engineering, and data teams create inefficiencies that technology alone cannot solve. Participants will leave with practical frameworks for diagnosing organizational friction and building stronger collaboration across functions.

Featuring:
Aleks Kireeva – Founder & Speaker, Optimise This!