TECH FEST 2026
Tech Fest 2026 — Silicon Valley
Join an exclusive gathering of 500+ tech professionals, founders, decision-makers, and architects for an evening designed to spark ideas, meaningful connections, and future collaborations in the heart of Silicon Valley — bringing together the Valley’s brightest minds for high-stakes networking and innovation.
Tech Fest 2026 brings together leaders from across the technology ecosystem to explore the innovations shaping tomorrow — from artificial intelligence and emerging technologies to career growth, industry insights, and new opportunities across the tech landscape.
Visit: https://sftechfest.com/
Gopi Kallayil, Chief Business Strategist, AI, Google
Saurabh Mishra, Field CTO - Executive Director, Oracle
Doc Vaidyanathan, VP - AI Center of Excellence, IBM
Sanjay Soni, Director-Global Cloud and AI Technical Sales Enablement, Microsoft
Ritendra Datta, Engineering Leadership, OpenAI
Dr. Ahmed Banafa, Engineering Professor, San Jose State University
Miko Matsumura, Managing Partner, Gumi Cryptos Capital
Anand Rao, Data and GenAI Field Engineering, Databricks
Ashmeet Sidana, Chief Engineer, Engineering Capital
Manu Rekhi, Managing Director, Investus Capital
Lu Zhang, Founder and Managing Partner, Fusion Fund
Mariane Bekker, Head of DevRel, You.com & Founder, Founders Bay
Miten Mehta, Chief of Ai Solutions - GTM & Partnerships, Mondee
Preethy Padmanabhan, Founder and Managing Member, 10x Growth Strategies
Ken Nim, Co-Founder, OffChain Global
Dr. Sam Swapn, CEO, Strategism, Inc.
Sanjiv Goyal, President, Droisys Inc.
Ramesh V Chitor, Chief Customer Officer, TrustModel.AI
Anjul Katare, Chairman/CEO, CBS Information Systems Inc
Ben Bartlett, Council Member, City of Berkeley
Murtuza Haryanawalla, Director of Artificial Intelligence Solutions, Product Labs
Soniya Ahuja, Founder & CEO, Orbis86
Rishi Malik, Chief Growth Officer, Workato
Stay Tuned, More speakers to be announced!
TENTATIVE AGENDA
11:00 AM - 11:15 AM | Opening Address
Kick off TechFest 2026 with a warm welcome from RJ Roshni as she opens the event, sets the tone for the day ahead, and recognizes the sponsors and partners supporting the experience.
11:15 AM - 11:30 AM | Tech Showcase 1
Experience a live showcase featuring innovative technology, breakthrough solutions, and forward-thinking ideas from companies building the future of the industry.
11:30 AM - 12:00 PM | Panel 1: VC
Hear from leading venture capitalists as they discuss emerging investment trends, market shifts, and what they look for when backing the next generation of high-growth startups and founders.
Ashmeet Sidana, Chief Engineer, Engineering Capital
Lu Zhang, Founder and Managing Partner, Fusion Fund
Manu Rekhi, Managing Director, Investus Capital
Preethy Padmanabhan, Founder and Managing Member, 10x Growth Strategies
12:00 PM - 12:30 PM | Panel 2: GovTech
Explore how technology is transforming government services, public infrastructure, and civic innovation, while creating new opportunities for collaboration between the public and private sectors.
Speakers to be announced soon!
12:30 PM - 1:30 PM | Gourmet Lunch
Take a break to enjoy GOURMET LUNCH, connect with fellow attendees, and continue conversations with founders, investors, and tech leaders while live DJ music keeps the energy going throughout the venue.
1:30 PM - 2:00 PM | Panel 3: AI in 2026: The New Tech Stack of Work — How Products, Careers, and Companies Are Rebuilt
Explore how AI in 2026 is reshaping the modern tech stack, from intelligent products and workflows to evolving career paths and company structures, while unpacking what it takes to stay relevant, competitive, and future-ready in an AI-first world.
Sanjiv Goyal, President, Droisys Inc.
Miten Mehta, Chief of Ai Solutions - GTM & Partnerships, Mondee
Dr. Ahmed Banafa, Engineering Professor, San Jose State University
Anjul Katare, Chairman/CEO, CBS Information Systems Inc
Ramesh V Chitor, Chief Customer Officer, TrustModel.AI
Dr. Sam Swapn, CEO, Strategism, Inc.
2:00 PM - 2:15 PM | Keynote Address
Hear powerful insights from Gopi Kallayil, Chief Business Strategist, AI at Google, as he shares his perspective on the evolving global AI landscape and the opportunities it will unlock for builders, companies, and innovators.
Gopi Kallayil, Chief Business Strategist, AI, Google
2:15 PM - 2:30 PM | Tech Showcase 2
Discover innovative products and breakthrough technologies as emerging companies present live demos and forward-looking solutions shaping the future of tech.
2:30 PM - 3:00 PM | Panel 4: AI 2.0 – Building Trust Across the Stack
Explore how AI 2.0 is redefining trust across the entire stack—from data and models to applications and user experience, while addressing challenges around transparency, security, and reliability.
Saurabh Mishra, Field CTO - Executive Director, Oracle
Doc Vaidyanathan, VP - AI Center of Excellence, IBM
Ritendra Datta, Engineering Leadership, OpenAI
Murtuza Haryanawalla, Director of Artificial Intelligence Solutions, Product Labs
3:00 PM -3:15 PM | Sponsors Acknowledgement
A special recognition of the sponsors and partners whose support helps power SF TechFest 2026 and strengthen the innovation ecosystem bringing the community together.
3:15 PM - 3:45 PM | Panel 5: Beyond Speculation: Can Web3 Still Matter?
After years of hype cycles, memecoins, regulatory battles, and market volatility, the Web3 industry finds itself at a critical turning point. Was Web3 merely a speculative trend, or is the technology finally maturing into something with real-world value? This panel explores whether blockchain, decentralized infrastructure, digital ownership, and tokenized ecosystems can move beyond speculation and deliver meaningful impact across finance, AI, gaming, identity, enterprise, and creator economies in 2026 and beyond.
Miko Matsumura, Managing Partner, Gumi Cryptos Capital
Ben Bartlett, Council Member, City of Berkeley
Soniya Ahuja, Founder & CEO, Orbis86
3:15 PM - 3:30 PM | Mentor Connect
Engage in focused networking with mentors, founders, investors, and industry experts through one-on-one conversations designed to exchange insights, share guidance, and foster meaningful professional connections.
3:45 PM - 4:15 PM | Panel 6: Agentic AI
Discover how Agentic AI is transforming the next generation of intelligent systems by enabling autonomous decision-making, adaptive workflows, and AI agents capable of driving productivity, innovation, and real-world business impact.
Anand Rao, Data and GenAI Field Engineering, Databricks
Mariane Bekker, Head of DevRel, You.com & Founder, Founders Bay
4:15 PM - 4:55 PM | Fireside Chat: HR & Recruiting Track
Join an engaging fireside chat exploring evolving hiring trends, talent acquisition strategies, workforce development, and the future of recruiting in today’s rapidly changing professional landscape.
4:55 PM - 5:00 PM | Communication Skit
Enjoy an engaging and interactive skit highlighting the importance of effective communication, collaboration, and human connection in today’s fast-evolving professional and technology-driven environments.
5:00 PM Onwards | High Tea & Happy Hour
Unwind over high tea and happy hour as conversations continue beyond the stage. Clink your glasses, enjoy curated refreshments, and connect with founders, investors, industry leaders, and fellow attendees in a vibrant networking atmosphere.
5:00 PM - 5:30 PM | Open Claw Workshop (Tentative)
Participate in an interactive workshop exploring innovative tools, hands-on learning experiences, and practical insights designed to help attendees better understand emerging technologies and real-world applications.
Photo Booth
Capture the moment with fellow founders, tech leaders, and innovators — a fun way to create memories and take home a snapshot from an unforgettable evening at Tech Fest.
Whether you're looking to showcase your latest build or connect with the region's top tech talent, Tech Fest 2026 is where you need to be.
Sponsorships and booth bookings are now open. Please call (510) 387-5381 or email [email protected]
SILVER SPONSOR
Yogi Sharma Homes
Yogi Sharma is a Bay Area REALTOR® who loves helping people buy and sell homes with confidence. With 25+ years in the Bay Area, he believes in clear communication, honest guidance, and zero pressure. His goal is to make real estate simple, smooth, and stress-free for you. Call or text 925-640-9846 if you’re thinking about making a move! VISIT: yogisharmahomes.com or Email: [email protected]
Culinary Partner
Red Hot Chilli Pepper, Fremont
Red Hot Chilli Pepper is where fire meets flavor! Where you you celebrate the bold spirit of Indo-Chinese cuisine, a fiery blend of wok-seared heat and rich spices. Every dish is a love letter to the bustling streets of Kolkata and the flavors of Guangzhou. Whether you're craving crispy chili paneer or garlic-soaked noodles, RHCP Fremont is here to bring the heat.
Beverage Partner
Poura On Wheels
Poura On Wheels transforms events into unforgettable experiences with its iconic Piaggio Ape mobile bar, blending style, hospitality, and handcrafted drinks into one seamless setup. From signature cocktails and premium mocktails to wine and beer service, every menu is fully customizable for weddings, corporate gatherings, cultural celebrations, and luxury private events. More than a bar, Poura On Wheels creates a vibrant atmosphere where every pour tells a story.
Trillium Square Advisors is an independent fiduciary RIA firm specializing in wealth management and financial planning for technology entrepreneurs and executives. By combining personalized advisory services with AI-driven insights and data-backed strategies, the firm helps clients navigate complex financial decisions with clarity and confidence.
DreamBuilder Financials
Part of World Financial Group and Transamerica Financial Advisors, DreamBuilder Financials helps individuals and families build long-term financial confidence through personalized strategies in investments, retirement planning, life insurance, and financial education — guided by their mission, “No Family Left Behind.”
My Pursu is an all-in-one platform designed for NRIs, offering fast and secure money transfers to India with competitive exchange rates and zero transaction fees. The app also supports payments, bookings, shopping, insurance, elder care, and more — bringing essential NRI services together in one trusted ecosystem.
BNG Wealth Advisors is a boutique wealth advisory firm providing comprehensive financial planning solutions including investment planning, tax-loss harvesting, estate planning, risk management, and retirement strategies for entrepreneurs, families, and growing businesses.
YoungWonks is an award-winning coding and engineering program for kids and teens, helping students build real-world computer science and engineering skills through hands-on learning. Founded in 2014, the WASC-accredited program has guided students to achievements including NASA competitions, top university admissions, and global tech recognition.
Radio Zindagi
Radio Zindagi is one of the leading South Asian radio networks in the United States, connecting communities through music, culture, news, and entertainment. Broadcasting on 1550 AM and digital platforms, it reaches thousands of listeners across the Bay Area and beyond.
Strategism Inc
Strategism Inc. is a leading technology training and consulting company headquartered in California, providing industry-focused IT training, mentoring, and consulting across the United States. The organization works closely with professionals, enterprises, and aspiring tech leaders to build skills, accelerate careers, and drive innovation in today’s evolving technology landscape.
The Future Of Tech
The Future of Tech is a global platform connecting founders, investors, enterprises, and innovators through impactful events and ecosystem collaborations. Powered by Orbis86, OffChain Global and BrandPR, it brings together communities across AI, Web3, and emerging technologies to foster meaningful conversations, partnerships, and innovation shaping the future of technology.
10X Growth Strategies
10X Growth Strategies is a thriving Silicon Valley community for Investors, Founders and Corporate Executives. Founded by Preethy Padmanabhan, a Silicon Valley Executive and Investor, the community hosts events in the San Francisco Bay Area featuring VCs and Founders. The 10X Growth Strategies podcast is ranked in the global top 10% on Listen Notes. Subscribe to the community here - https://luma.com/10xgrowthstrategies.
Product Labs
Product Labs builds AI-first systems and intelligent automation solutions that help businesses streamline operations and scale innovation. By combining advanced AI technologies with production-grade infrastructure, they enable organizations to turn automation into real-world impact.
Founders Bay
Founders Bay is a global community of 150,000 founders, VCs, and tech executives — rooted in Silicon Valley and expanding worldwide.
We connect innovators through world-class events, curated dealflow, investor roundtables, VIP membership, and a global directory of top venture firms.