Tonight, the future of deep tech will be explained to you at StrictlyVC Palo Alto

This evening, Playground Global in Palo Alto will host a gathering of brilliant minds ready to unveil the future of deep technology. As the final StrictlyVC event of 2025, attendees can expect an extraordinary lineup of speakers. The series has journeyed worldwide under the banner of TechCrunch, featuring notable events from a theater in Washington, D.C., to discussions with Greece’s prime minister in Athens and gatherings hosted by Kirsten Green in San Francisco. The essence of these events remains consistent: to connect individuals pioneering significant advancements in a more intimate setting, ahead of broader recognition. A memorable highlight from 2019 was when Sam Altman humorously shared OpenAI’s monetization strategy, saying it was simply about building AGI and asking it how to generate revenue. This event features Nicholas Kelez, a particle accelerator physicist with two decades of experience at the Department of Energy. He is now tackling a major challenge in semiconductor manufacturing: the reliance on $400 million machines produced by a single Dutch company, despite the technology's American origins. Kelez aims to develop the next generation of these machines domestically using particle accelerator technology, a critical endeavor in today's competitive landscape. Another intriguing participant is Mina Fahmi, who has developed a ring that translates whispered thoughts into text. His innovation, the Stream Ring, is designed not as a companion but as an extension of cognitive capabilities. With backing from Toni Schneider, a notable figure from WordPress’s early expansion, Sandbar has recently emerged from stealth mode, possibly onto something groundbreaking. Max Hodak, the founder of Science Corp. and former Neuralink co-founder alongside Elon Musk, is also on the agenda. He has successfully restored vision to numerous blind individuals through retinal implants and is now exploring 'biohybrid' brain-computer interfaces that integrate chips with stem cells into brain tissue, enabling paralyzed individuals to control devices through thought. Hodak believes that the landscape will look drastically different by 2035 and is eager to share his vision. Additionally, attendees will hear from VCs Chi-Hua Chien of Goodwater Capital and Elizabeth Weil of Scribble Ventures. Both have supported companies like Twitter, Spotify, TikTok, and SpaceX before their rise to prominence. They will discuss the current misinterpretation of market trends in Silicon Valley, especially regarding the influx of capital into enterprise AI. The event will be hosted by Pat Gelsinger, former CEO of Intel, and promises an evening of networking, delicious food, and insightful discussions. With limited seating available, interested participants are encouraged to register promptly to secure a spot and engage directly with these influential tech leaders.