The heart of Oakland’s tech scene beat a little louder on August 28th, 2025. STAK Space was incredibly proud to host the official launch of the Startup Grind Oakland Chapter with a massive Summer Bash that brought together the brightest minds from Silicon Valley, San Francisco, and the East Bay. The STAK Ventures event was a monumental success, marking a new chapter for innovation and solidifying our commitment to building the Bay Area’s most connected tech ecosystem.

A Resounding Success for the Oakland Tech Community

From the moment the doors opened at our flagship location, 1900 Broadway, the energy was palpable. A stellar turnout of founders, investors, and startup enthusiasts filled the space, creating a buzz of conversation and connection that lasted from the first lunch bite to the final cocktail. The day unfolded flawlessly, a testament to the shared vision of STAK Ventures and Startup Grind to foster a community where growth and collaboration are paramount. The event perfectly demonstrated the powerful demand for a centralized hub of innovation right here in Oakland.

Kickstarting Connections on the Fourth Floor

The event masterfully blended high-value content with authentic networking opportunities. Attendees were greeted with a welcome party on the 4th floor of STAK Space, featuring fantastic food, drinks, and a vibrant DJ set. The startup exhibitor showcase provided a firsthand look at the cutting-edge companies shaping our future, while lawn games offered a relaxed setting for breaking the ice. This initial session set the tone for a day of open collaboration and set the stage for the insightful content to follow.

Deep Dive into AI, Scaling, and Startup Fundamentals

The core of the afternoon was dedicated to learning, with a powerhouse content block featuring some of the Bay Area’s top talent. The session kicked off with a high-energy pitch session where five founders delivered compelling two-minute pitches to a packed room and a panel of attentive investors, receiving live, actionable feedback.

This was followed by a series of deep-dive panels tackling the most pressing topics in tech today. Experts from Cloudflare, DevRev, and Sprinto explored the realities of scaling with AI. Rajeev Behera, founder of Every, delivered a crucial talk on moving beyond startup stereotypes in “You Can’t Pay in Pizza Forever: Payroll and Benefits for Beginners.” Javier Lopez, VP of Engineering at Carta, then detailed practical strategies for “AI for Startup Efficiency and Growth,” and Brian Sparkes led a thought-provoking discussion on “AI vs Talent.”

Networking with a View at the Exclusive VIP Hour

As the formal sessions concluded, the networking ascended to the 39th floor for an exclusive VIP cocktail hour. Against a breathtaking backdrop of the Oakland skyline, investors, speakers, and founders continued their conversations, forging partnerships that will undoubtedly shape the next wave of innovation. This exclusive segment of the event, hosted at the renowned 1900 Broadway residences, provided the perfect capstone to an afternoon of deal-making and community building.

STAK Space: The New Home for Oakland Innovation

This event was more than a party; it was a declaration of intent. The successful launch of the Startup Grind Oakland chapter signifies a powerful shift, recognizing the East Bay as a critical hub of talent and innovation. STAK Space is thrilled to be the home for this burgeoning community. Our venue is more than just a location; it’s a 450,000-square-foot catalyst for growth. As the Bay Area’s largest integrated tech ecosystem, we provide the infrastructure—from state-of-the-art event spaces and a built-in startup community to an on-site taproom and fitness center—where ideas can flourish and companies can scale.

Join Us for the Next Chapter of Startup Grind Oakland

The incredible energy from the Summer Bash has set a new standard. The future of the Startup Grind Oakland Chapter is bright, and this is only the first of many events designed to educate, inspire, and connect. We are committed to building a lasting platform for Oakland’s innovators. Stay tuned for announcements on our upcoming fireside chats, workshops, and networking mixers. The conversation has started, and we invite you to be a part of it.

Follow the momentum and join us for the next event. Explore our mission and facilities at STAK Space and STAK Ventures, discover the premier lifestyle at 1900 Broadway, and become a part of the global community at Startup Grind. A huge thank you to everyone who attended, to our incredible speakers, and to our strategic sponsors. Together, we are building the future of Oakland tech.