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The Future of AI, Venture Capital & Platforms
We are thrilled to host Proven Summit 2025 in San Francisco, an exclusive gathering for venture capital decision-makers, platform leaders, and ecosystem builders. This year, we’re diving deep into the intersection of AI and venture capital, exploring how emerging technologies are transforming the way platforms scale, invest, and support founders. Expect cutting-edge discussions on AI-driven investment strategies, the evolution of VC platforms, and the future of venture ecosystems.
Join us and be part of the conversation that defines what’s next.
Speakers
Rob Ferguson
Head of AI, Microsoft for Startups
Rob Ferguson is the Head of AI at Microsoft for Startups, where he leads initiatives to help emerging companies integrate and scale artificial intelligence solutions. With over two decades of experience in AI and machine learning, Rob has held pivotal roles in both startups and major tech firms.
Meredith Parsons
Meredith Parsons, Offline Ventures
Meredith supports founders by fostering radical collaboration, championing founder well-being, and driving operational excellence across the portfolio. She brings a diverse background spanning education, nonprofit leadership, and venture capital.
James Currier
General Partner, NFX
James is a five-time Founder, an angel investor in DoorDash, Lyft, and Patreon, and a Founding Partner at NFX. Before becoming an investor, James was the co-founder and CEO of Tickle, one of the internet’s first successful user-generated companies.
Conor Murphy
CEO, Bridge your network
Connor is the Founder & CEO of Bridge, helping VC platform teams unlock and scale the value of their network capital. As a Partner at Techstars VC, Connor helped scale startups across global Techstars programs, leveraging one of the world's largest VC networks.
Yaad Oren
Global Head of SAP Research & Innovation, SAP
Yaad leads dual organizations at SAP as Managing Director of SAP Labs U.S. and Global Head of Research & Innovation, driving the exploration of emerging technologies and development of early-stage products. They cultivate innovation ecosystems and foster cross-functional collaboration to accelerate productization and deliver customer value.
Clarissa Kim
Content Manager, Slauson & Co.
Clarissa is a Content Coordinator at Slauson & Co. with a background in product development and marketing. Before joining Slauson & Co., she interned with PledgeLA, Grid110, and several startups, gaining experience in programming, community management, and product management. She also founder her own Music Tech Startup in her junior year.
Attendees
Edith Yeung
General Partner, Race Capital
Edith Yeung is a General Partner at Race Capital - an early-stage Silicon Valley venture capital fund investing in all things infrastructure. Edith is the seed investor in Solana (has been dubbed one of the best venture investments of all time.)
Michael King
Partner, Andreessen Horowitz
Michael King is a partner on the Go-To-Market Network team, advising on go-to-market strategy across the portfolio. Before joining Andreessen Horowitz, Michael built and ran full-stack marketing teams for companies like VMware, IBM, and Neopoint.
Anna Kessler
Head of BD/Partnerships, LSVP
Anna is the Head of BD and partnerships where she drives strategic collaborations and expands the firm’s network. She helps portfolio companies access key industry connections, resources, and growth.
Aki Ohashi
VP, Evolution VC
Aki leverages cross-functional leadership, business development and innovation as VP in Evolution VC. a VC that works between Japan and the US, and a Seed Member at Infinity Point CDFI, a community development financial institution that helps legacy businesses convert to worker-owned enterprises.
Sabeeha Islam
VP - Portfolio, Munich RE Ventures
Sabeeha supports the growth of startups at the edge of innovation in decarbonization and transportations. She specializes in the development of bespoke risk transfer solutions on new technologies that enable offtake and improve project bankability.
Taylor Parker
Director, LSVP
Taylor is a Director at LSVP providing access, resources, and insights to global enterprise leaders and senior government stakeholders exploring top emerging technology solutions.
Oscar Wong
Head of Strategy, Gold House Ventures
Oscar leads the development and execution of strategic initiatives, driving innovation and growth in the venture capital and startup ecosystem and works closely with industry leaders to gain new opportunities for Gold House.
Stephanie Volk
Head of Platform, Ironspring VC
Stephanie is a community builder and leads strategic initiatives to enhance the ecosystem for their portfolio companies. Ironspring is a sector-focused, early-stage VC firm, catalyzing change across the industrial supply chain.
Alison Berman
Sr. Manager, Valo Ventures
Alison manages research, insights, and communications at Valo Ventures, a Silicon Valley-based VC firm that invests in solutions addressing climate change, circular economy, and empowered people.
Cliff Worley
Head of Portfolio, Kapor Capital
Kapor Capital is a VC firm dedicated to investing in and fostering the growth of diverse, innovative startups. Cliff plays a pivotal role in shaping and implementing strategic initiatives to drive the growth and success of our diverse portfolio of companies with a keen focus on marketing strategies.
Halyna Vasylevska
Sector Lead, Munich RE Ventures
Halyna leads Portfolio Development for Cybersecurity & Privacy and Life & Health verticals for the venture capital arm of the world's biggest reinsurance company with $1.2bln under management.
Scott Brown
Partner, Cervin Ventures
Scott leads the Platform initiatives and team empowering their early-stage, B2B technology startups to find product market fit and scale revenue efficiently.
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Vanessa Camozzi
Director of Talent, Next47 Ventures
Vanessa supports early-stage B2B enterprise investments at Next47, where she works closely with portfolio companies to build recruiting infrastructure and people strategies. She helps drive executive hiring efforts and expands the firm’s network.
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Brian Quinn
Partner, PruVen Capital
Brian leads platform engagement and drives value creation between the firm’s limited partners and portfolio companies. Prior to joining PruVen, he served as Chief Distribution Officer at Sayata, an InsurTech platform simplifying the placement of SMB commercial risks.
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Jeffrey Fleming
Senior Operations Associate, Blue Bear Capital
Jeffrey supports fund operations, portfolio engagement, and platform strategy for early-stage investments in digital technologies transforming energy and infrastructure at Blue Bear Capital.
Kareem Fahmy
Ecosystem Partnerships, TDK Ventures
Kareem builds and develops trusted Global 2000 and relevant partnerships to benefit start-up portfolio companies; driving alignment and strong relationships with C-suite executives to assist with value creation and business growth.
Ciara Mullarkey
Market Analyst, IDA Ireland
Ciara is supporting high-growth tech companies with European expansion. She provides access to a talent pool, drawn from existing industrial and educational base and beyond.
Sean Park
Managing Director, Citizens Private Bank
Sean leverages over two decades of experience in venture capital and finance operations to drive strategic initiatives in Citizens Private Bank. His prior roles include positions at Anthemis, Khosla, and Lightspeed Ventures.
Leyla Katukhina
Senior VP, Global Gateway, SVB
Leyla is responsible for expanding the global presence, managing relationships with key partners and clients for SVB, a renowned financial institution specializing in providing banking and financial services to startups, VCs, and Tech Companies.
Safa Aliabadi
Man. Director, Citizens Private Bank
Safa Aliabadi has joined Citizens Private Bank as Managing Director. Citizens Private Bank provides holistic, high-touch client service to high-net-worth individuals, families, and businesses. Safa leads the tech practice for her team, focusing on startups.
Joanna Zanghi
Startup Banking Associate, SVB
Joanna is responsible for helping to identify potential investment opportunities and building with them, as well as potential partners to enable global expansion for Silicon Valley Bank.
Lisa Haffey
Head of VC, Global PE, SAP Concur
Lisa helps portfolio companies gain control over employee spend and manage cash flow more effectively. Their team helps increase operational efficiency by reducing administrative work.
Alan Mcglinchey
Senior Manager, Intercom
Alan partners with Venture Capital firms, Angel Investors, Accelerators, and Incubators to bring Intercom's startup program to their portfolio companies and community.
Summit Agenda
9:30 – 10:00 AM
Welcome Breakfast & Check-In
10:00 – 10:20 AM
Opening Remarks – Philip McNamara, CEO, Proven
10:20 – 11:00 AM
Guest Speaker: TBD
11:00 – 11:45 AM
Guest Speaker: TBD
11:45 – 12:30 PM
Panel: Building the AI-Native VC Firm – James Currier (NFX) + Guests
12:30 – 1:30 PM
Lunch
1:30 – 2:00 PM
Guest Speaker: Conor Murphy (Brdg)
2:00 – 3:00 PM
Panel
3:00 – 3:15 PM
Break
3:15 – 4:00 PM
Fireside Chat: What’s Next for the Venture Ecosystem? – TBD LP/Founder
4:00 – 4:45 PM
Closing Keynote: [TBD]
5:00 – 6:15 PM
Happy Hour
6:30 – 8:00 PM
Sponsors & Speakers Dinner – Invite Only
Sponsors
