Venture Capital Unleashed: StrictlyVC Returns to New York With Keith Rabois and Sports Investors

TechCrunch is bringing its boutique event series StrictlyVC back to New York City on Thursday night, September 10. The gathering takes place in the West Village, marking the team’s first return to New York in two years following successful events across San Francisco, Los Angeles, and Athens.

Venture capitalist Keith Rabois kicks off the evening program. Rabois recently moved back East from Silicon Valley and continues to speak openly about startup trends, policy decisions, and venture capital practices. He has backed companies like Ramp four times and invested in State Affairs, a platform that uses machine learning and local reporters to cover state news and policy updates across all fifty states.

During his session, Rabois will address why founders often raise far more money than their companies need to survive. He will also discuss his early $50 million investment check into OpenAI back in 2019 through Khosla Ventures, sharing his perspective on how OpenAI faces market pressures compared to main competitors.

Following the opening chat, Collaborative Fund founder Craig Shapiro joins Jason Levien, Chief Commercial Officer of D.C. United. The two will discuss sports organizations operating as business platforms, exploring how professional sports teams connect fandom, commercial deals, and local communities.

Community growth remains a major theme throughout the event. Tristan Walker, who sold Walker & Company Brands to Procter & Gamble back in 2018, joins the stage to present his latest project, Heirloom Craft. His startup focuses on rebuilding American craftsmanship and training skilled artisans to support domestic supply chains.

Brynn Putnam joins Walker on stage for the panel. Putnam sold her connected fitness business Mirror to Lululemon for $500 million just three years after launching it. Her latest venture, Board, creates interactive board games designed to blend physical play with smart technology, offering a fresh way for families to connect in person away from phone screens.

Venture capital veteran Deven Parekh wraps up the speaker lineup. Parekh has co-run Insight Partners for more than 25 years. While the New York investment firm keeps a low media profile, Parekh plans to share how his team navigates asset classes as private funds grow dramatically in size. He will detail how Insight Partners competes for deals in a market flooded with cash, where finding unique value matters more than ever.

The evening combines fireside chats with drinks, food, and direct networking before and after the stage sessions. TechCrunch writers including Connie Loizos and Rebecca Bellan will attend alongside founders, investors, and local tech builders. Collaborative Fund helps host the gathering, with ticket details available online for attendees looking to join the West Village gathering.