Why Builders, Founders, and Dreamers Keep Coming Back to Startup+ | NYC
Networking that feels natural. Meet people, share stories, and maybe even star in a spontaneous street interview. Join us for the networking event on Nov 06th in NYC
Let’s be honest networking events can be… weird.
You show up, grab a name tag that sticks to your sweater more than your shirt, circle the snack table pretending to “look for someone,” and then get cornered by a guy explaining how his AI startup “uses blockchain to fix loneliness.”
We’ve all been there.
And that’s exactly why Startup+ feels so different.
There were no sales pitches. No stiff handshakes. Just good energy, great conversations, and at least one spontaneous Thai dinner after the event.
Lauren’s Story: From Stranger to Street Interviewer
Lauren, a personal brand and headshot photographer, put it perfectly:
“After attending hundreds of networking events over the last few years, I have to say that I’ve never found one where it was easier to meet new people than the events hosted by Startup+.
I’ll admit, I was a little nervous that I’d be surrounded by ‘tech bros’ in their 20s… but instead, I met people of all ages and from all around the world. Everyone came up to everyone to say hello. I loved that there was a collaboration over competition vibe in the room.
At one point, I told someone I’d just met that she would make a great social media interviewer and within the next hour, I (along with a couple of others) became her first guinea pigs on the street right outside the bar. I ended the night by getting dinner with the last circle of people I was chatting with at the event, simply because I asked, ‘Is anyone down to get food?’ Everyone there seemed so open and welcoming.
As a personal brand and headshot photographer, meeting new people and making genuine connections is essential. I’m not sure how Startup+ does it, but I’ve never made so many meaningful connections at one networking event before!”
And that street interview?
A handful of Startup+ attendees actually stepped outside, grabbed a mic, and started asking random New Yorkers one big question “How is AI going to change the world?”
The backdrop? 🌃 A glowing food truck, late-night city noise, and pure spontaneous creativity. ✨
It was chaotic, hilarious, and somehow deeply Startup+ the kind of moment that captures exactly what this community is about.
Shoutout to Lauren @_laurengiuliani for being such a superstar at connecting people and sharing her story! Follow her on Instagram for some next-level personal brand & headshot photography.
Why People Keep Coming Back
At every Startup+ event, there’s the same magic formula:
💬 Real conversations. People talk with you, not at you.
🤝 No gatekeeping. Pre-seed, Series C, or “I just bought a domain name” - everyone’s welcome.
💡 Collaboration over competition. Because there’s enough room for all of us to win.
🍸 A little chaos. The good kind. The “so we accidentally made a street interview show” kind.
That’s what makes Startup+ different it’s not about selling, pitching, or posturing. It’s about being surrounded by people who get it.
Up Next: Let’s Do It Again
📍 Thursday, November 6th | 5PM @ Sour Mouse, NYC
Founders, investors, operators, and the “still figuring it out but definitely building something soon” crowd - all in one room.
No panels. No awkward intros. Just real people, real ideas, and probably another moment that turns into a story worth retelling.
See you there,
Aneesh Lal, Founder
Jaynish Shah, Community Lead
Team Startup+
🌐 www.startupplus.club
P.S. Want complimentary front-row access to Startup+ energy? Volunteer with us! We’re looking for awesome humans to help us run the show. Email: contact@startupplus.club or send us a message!