The future of deep tech will be explained to you at StrictlyVC Palo Alto on Dec 3

Tomorrow evening, PlayGround Global in Palo Alto will host an event featuring some of the brightest minds in technology. This gathering marks the final StrictlyVC event of 2025, showcasing an impressive lineup of speakers. The series, which has journeyed worldwide under TechCrunch's banner, has seen notable events in various locations, including a theater rented by Steve Case in Washington, D.C., discussions with Greece’s prime minister in Athens, and a gathering at San Francisco’s Presidio hosted by Kirsten Green. The core mission remains the same: to unite individuals working on pivotal technological advancements in an intimate setting before their innovations gain widespread recognition. A standout moment from past events was when Sam Altman humorously shared OpenAI's monetization strategy back in 2019, hinting at the future of artificial general intelligence. This year, attendees can look forward to insights from Nicholas Kelez, a particle accelerator physicist who spent two decades at the Department of Energy. He is now addressing a critical issue in semiconductor manufacturing: the reliance on expensive machines, known for their laser technology, that only one Dutch company produces. Kelez aims to revolutionize this sector in the U.S. by applying particle accelerator technology. In addition, Mina Fahmi will introduce his innovative 'Stream Ring,' a device that translates whispered thoughts into text. Fahmi and co-founder Kirak Hong, both former Meta employees, have spent years developing this technology, which aims to enhance cognitive capabilities rather than replace human interaction. Max Hodak, founder of Science Corp and a former Neuralink co-founder, will also share his groundbreaking work. He has successfully restored vision in numerous individuals through retinal implants and is now developing 'biohybrid' brain-computer interfaces that could allow paralyzed individuals to control devices with their thoughts. Hodak anticipates that the landscape of technology in 2035 will be drastically different from today. Finally, the event will feature insights from venture capitalists Chi-Hua Chien of Goodwater Capital and Elizabeth Weil of Scribble Ventures. Both have previously supported companies like Twitter, Spotify, and SpaceX before they became well-known. They believe that Silicon Valley is misinterpreting the current investment climate in enterprise AI and are eager to discuss their perspectives. Hosted by PlayGround Global and general partner Pat Gelsinger, former CEO of Intel, the evening promises drinks, delicious food, and opportunities for networking. With limited seating available, those interested in gaining direct insights from these tech leaders and forming valuable connections should secure their places promptly.