Building a Better Tomorrow Series: Narratives and Storytelling
Sign up early to reserve your spot. We expect this to be a sold out event. Space is limited.
About the Event
Join us for a 6-hour immersive gathering blending storytelling, AI, sound healing, live music and community celebration.
THIS IS MORE THAN AN EVENT—IT’S THE UNDERSTANDING HOW NARRATIVES IMPACT THE WORLD WE LIVE IN.
We'll dive into how narratives and storytelling are shaping mainstream media, retail, startups, AI, sustainability, and gaming, and uncover the real-world impact they have across these sectors. Expect to be surprised and gain fresh, eye-opening perspectives.
Why Attend
Gain eye-opening insights around the impact of storytelling
Hear from experts in gaming, AI, storytelling, law, finance, and publishing
Connect with founders, creatives, and investors
Be part of an immersive experience, enjoy live music, sound healing, and community-building activities
Get a first look at the Folded demo before its public launch
Learn about investment and sponsorship opportunities for Folded’s seed round
Learn how storytelling is shaping the future of inclusive gaming
Celebrate
This evening marks a special moment for Folded — a story-driven video game centered around identity, healing, and emotional expression.
We’re opening the doors to future players, creators, and supporters for a pre-launch showcase of the Folded demo, panel discussions with thought leaders, and an unforgettable night of connection.
This is not just an event — it’s an exploration of how narratives can transform the way we play, create, and connect. Come meet the team, experience the vision, and be part of the journey toward our seed round.
Tentative Event Schedule & Speakers
🕓 4:00 PM – Doors Open | 🎶 Live Music & Soundbath
🕔 5:00 PM – Introductions
🕔 5:15 PM – Panel 1: Storytelling Impact: How It Shapes Our World
🕕 6:15 PM – Break
🕡 6:30 PM – Keynote & Game Demos
🕗 7:00 PM – Panel 2: Designing Emotion: Game Design as Storytelling
🕗 8:00 PM – 🎻 Violin Performance - Jay K
🕣 8:30 PM – Poetry Reading
🕣 9:00-10:00 PM- Monica Desai & Bisi DJ
Panel 1: Storytelling Impact: How It Shapes Our World
Moderator: Natalie Pan - Founder of Funding Breakthrough Lab
Damien Foord – Branding Expert, Prismonde, a16z advisor
Solomon Moore – News Media Journalist, ex-New York Times, ex-Wallstreet Journal, ex-LA Times, ex-Amazon
Fiona Bai – Producer & Director, Founder of CineAI
De Kai - AI Professor and AI Policy
Marina Psaros - founder of EarthWorks and the former head of sustainability at Unity
Panel 2: Designing Emotion: Game Design as Storytelling
Alina Matson - CEO, Glossbird
Pooja Paul- Games, Behavioral Research, Tedx
Jessica Sliwinski - Lead Game Writer & Narrative Design
Andy Wang - Storyboard Artist & Novelist, ex-Zynga
Evan Hill - Game Designer
Sarah Malcom - 3D Environment, Meta, Ember Labs
Your Hosts
Blendbound Inc. is a next-generation entertainment studio creating Folded, an open-world game that redefines fairytales and storytelling for the modern world. Our mission is to craft worlds where identity, empathy, and imagination come alive—helping players reconnect with themselves and each other through play.
Funding Breakthrough Lab is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit pre-accelerator with a mission of creating a supportive community (+15,000 subscribers) empowering diverse founders to raise capital and scale globally. With a mission of building a better tomorrow, we empower founders with need to know education, networks, and resources to unlock their potential while championing diversity, inclusion, and authenticity. Apply for the next cohort here https://fundingbreakthroughlab.org.
Tickets
🎟 Paid Entry – Includes access to all panels, performances, and networking activities.
Sponsors
CANOPY is a network of premium coworking & shared office spaces, focusing on form, function, & high design for both professionals & entrepreneurs.
Rodo is a B2B matchmaking between indie game devs, animation studios, and service providers. We bring together creators and the companies that help them grow.
GLITCHED - Women in Game Dev SF Bay is a women in game development community in the San Francisco Bay Area that is creating a positive and safe space for women game developers to connect, network, and make friends while gaining valuable insight into the game industry. 👾
We create an environment that allows women who are interested in learning about the game industry, industry veterans, and all in between to thrive in gaming spaces.
Yemeni kabab & Mediterranean in San Francisco brings you the rich and savory tastes of Yemeni and Middle Eastern cuisine. Experience our signature Haneeth, Saltah, and a variety of succulent kababs, including Yemeni and Chicken Shish Kabab. Indulge in classics like Hummus, Baba Ghanoush, and Falafel. Discover an authentic menu and order online now for delivery or takeout!
Clean Living Magazine by Cassandra McClure
Holistic experience with a diverse background in bodywork, energy healing, and psychotherapy.
San Francisco Community Nights are community-driven events organized by the community members themselves. The intention is to cultivate a local Bay Area community and co-organize events with everyone. Everyone has something to offer, no matter what.
The San Francisco Community Nights events are not commercial events; this is not a business. The events are a community service, with an emphasis on fostering friendships and developing emotional and relational skills.
Sponsorship Opportunities
We’re seeking aligned partners to help bring this vision to life:
Venue Support
Beverage Partners
Community Activations & Giveaways
Sponsor Benefits:
Inclusion in marketing materials, social media, and post-event recap
Access to our creative network and Folded launch engagement opportunities
Alignment with emotionally intelligent, inclusive storytelling
Be Part of the Story
Support the unfolding of Folded’s vision — from pixels to people.
📩 Contact:
samah@madinapapel
[email protected]