StrictlyVC returns to New York City on September 10 to celebrate a huge year for the city’s startup community

For the first time since 2024.. StrictlyVC It’s back in New York City — and we’re offering the kind of access you’d expect from a secret event to the entire startup, venture capital, and dealmaking community.

For years, StrictlyVC has run a series of some of the most interesting nights a VC, founder or dealmaker can have, centered around candid conversation you can’t get anywhere else.

The newly announced New York City event will take place on September 10 at Ideal glass studios in the West Village, and general admission tickets are open now at $180. You can register here.

Why New York City, why now

New York’s startup engine isn’t just moving; It’s accelerating. In the first half of 2026, more than 240 New York City startups have raised a total of $1.13 billion in seed funding. According to a recent Tech:NYC report. This is up from $1.06 billion in the first half of 2025, with average seed rounds rising from $5.4 million to $6.64 million. Overall, New York startups have made huge gains 16 billion dollars in the first half of this year – roughly equivalent to the $19.1 billion raised by New York startups throughout 2025.

This capital is spread across almost every sector, from artificial intelligence and healthcare to climate, fintech, robotics and consumer technology. It’s the kind of momentum that made returning to New York easy.

Our speaker lineup so far…

After you’ve had time to settle in, meet new connections, and network amid the elegant atmosphere of Ideal Glass Studios, we’ll kick off our programming with Craig Shapiro, Founder and Managing Partner of Collaborative Fund, joined by TechCrunch Editor-in-Chief and StrictlyVC Founder Connie Loizos.

Their session, “The Business of Belonging,” delves into why community becomes one of the most important assets a company can build — and where investors find the greatest opportunities at the intersection of technology, fandom, and real-world connection.

From there, the conversation turns toward renewal. Tristan Walker, founder of Heirloom Craft, will discuss what he learned building one of the most influential consumer startups of the last decade, why he started over with Heirloom, and how his approach to leadership and brand building has evolved in today’s AI-driven landscape.

Additional speakers and sessions will be announced as the agenda is developed in the coming weeks. Stay up to date with new speaker announcements here, Because we have some exciting additions in the works!

An evening designed for the room, not just the stage

As always with StrictlyVC, the theater hosting our programs is only part of the story. Conversations that begin between TechCrunch reporters and the startup community continue long afterward in an environment designed for access, focus, and proximity to the people who are actively shaping what comes next in New York City’s venture, startup, and dealmaking scene.

It is an environment where introductions turn into vision, and insight into opportunity. Secure your place by getting a ticket now.

The company you will join

The StrictlyVC stages have hosted OpenAI CEO Sam Altman, Waymo Co-CEO Tekedra Mawakana, Signal President Meredith Whittaker, Haun Ventures Founder and CEO Katie Haun, Replit CEO and Co-Founder Amjad Massad, and Sequoia Capital’s famed VC Alfred Lin, among many others. They’re the caliber of speaker that StrictlyVC NYC brings back — and for $180, you can have them in the room.

Sign up for StrictlyVC NYC today!

If you’re a founder interested in attending StrictlyVC NYC to learn from your peers and connect with investors, do we have an event for you! The Founders Summit will be held in Boston on November 4giving you the opportunity to learn how to organize pitch meetings, raise venture capital funding, manage finances, and staff your growing team along your journey to startup success.

Learn more about what we have in store and Book your place between our full day of workshops and networking here.