FUNDERS & FOUNDERS:
AI in Action from Silicon Valley
to Sacramento Valley
AI in Action from Silicon Valley
to Sacramento Valley
Please join Five Star Bank and Growth Factory for an exclusive Funders & Founders event exploring
AI in Action from Silicon Valley to Sacramento Valley. Hear from authors, venture capitalists, visionary entrepreneurs, and expert service providers on best practices shaping the future of AI.
Five Star Bank is the leading business bank in Northern California. In 2025, Five Star Bank was among the
Top 3 Best-Performing Community Banks in the nation by S&P Global Market Intelligence for banks with assets between $3 billion and $10 billion. Five Star Bank has a customer-centric, relationship-based approach to banking and a deep commitment to supporting innovation and growth across the regions it serves.
Five Star Bank serves as a trusted, value-add partner to the venture ecosystem in the Bay Area and the Capital Region. We support this ecosystem by hosting Funders & Founders and VC State of the Market events. We also facilitate ongoing introductions for our startup and investor clients, serving as an LP in multiple early-stage venture capital funds, providing capital call lines of credit, and offering deep expertise in commercial real estate.
In 2024, Five Star Bank opened its first San Francisco Bay Area office at 345 California Street. In 2025,
Five Star Bank expanded with a new branch in Walnut Creek.
Funders & Founders events were created by Five Star Bank to provide relevant insights while creating a forum for authentic connection among founders, investors, and industry leaders. This event will spotlight how AI is being applied in real-world settings, bridging innovation between Silicon Valley and the Sacramento Region.
Space is limited. RSVP requested by July 10th.
AI in Action from Silicon Valley to Sacramento Valley. Hear from authors, venture capitalists, visionary entrepreneurs, and expert service providers on best practices shaping the future of AI.
Five Star Bank is the leading business bank in Northern California. In 2025, Five Star Bank was among the
Top 3 Best-Performing Community Banks in the nation by S&P Global Market Intelligence for banks with assets between $3 billion and $10 billion. Five Star Bank has a customer-centric, relationship-based approach to banking and a deep commitment to supporting innovation and growth across the regions it serves.
Five Star Bank serves as a trusted, value-add partner to the venture ecosystem in the Bay Area and the Capital Region. We support this ecosystem by hosting Funders & Founders and VC State of the Market events. We also facilitate ongoing introductions for our startup and investor clients, serving as an LP in multiple early-stage venture capital funds, providing capital call lines of credit, and offering deep expertise in commercial real estate.
In 2024, Five Star Bank opened its first San Francisco Bay Area office at 345 California Street. In 2025,
Five Star Bank expanded with a new branch in Walnut Creek.
Funders & Founders events were created by Five Star Bank to provide relevant insights while creating a forum for authentic connection among founders, investors, and industry leaders. This event will spotlight how AI is being applied in real-world settings, bridging innovation between Silicon Valley and the Sacramento Region.
Space is limited. RSVP requested by July 10th.
Location
The Urban Hive
730 I Street
Sacramento, CA 95814
730 I Street
Sacramento, CA 95814
Date & Time
Monday, July 20, 2026
3:00 PM - 7:30 PM
3:00 PM - 7:30 PM
PARKING
A parking lot is located directly in front of The Urban Hive. Guests may also find additional options in nearby City of Sacramento garages and surface lots within walking distance. We recommend allowing additional time for parking upon arrival.
AGENDA
3:00 - 3:30 PM
Welcome & Networking Reception
Check-in, refreshments, and networking.
3:30 - 3:35 PM
Welcome, Overview & Sponsor Recognition
James Beckwith, President & Chief Executive Officer, Five Star Bank
Jon Gregory, SVP / Managing Director, Venture Fund Finance, Five Star Bank
Jon Gregory, SVP / Managing Director, Venture Fund Finance, Five Star Bank
3:35 - 3:45 PM
Fractional AI: The Importance of Strategically Leveraging Expertise Across Key C-Suites & Operations
Tim Taylor, Director of Business Development, Kranz Consulting
3:45 - 4:15 PM
Fireside Chat 1: Blitzscaling Startups in the AI Era
Featuring Chris Yeh, Co-Author of Blitzscaling (with LinkedIn Founder Reid Hoffman, and Partner, Blitzscaling Ventures)
Interviewer: Tim Taylor, Director of Business Development, Kranz Consulting
Sponsor: Kranz Consulting
Interviewer: Tim Taylor, Director of Business Development, Kranz Consulting
Sponsor: Kranz Consulting
4:15 - 4:50 PM
Women Leaders in AI
Funders & Founders share perspectives on adapting to the rapidly changing environment.
Moderator: Sadie St. Lawrence, Founder & CEO, Human Machine Collaboration Institute (HMCI)
Panelists:
Lauren M. Taylor, Managing Partner, NDVC
Amanda Sanders, Co-Founder & General Partner, Wai Mohala Ventures
Ishita Shah, Ph.D., Founder & CEO, Matrubials
Amy Wister, Co-Founder & CEO, Revshopp, Inc
Moderator: Sadie St. Lawrence, Founder & CEO, Human Machine Collaboration Institute (HMCI)
Panelists:
Lauren M. Taylor, Managing Partner, NDVC
Amanda Sanders, Co-Founder & General Partner, Wai Mohala Ventures
Ishita Shah, Ph.D., Founder & CEO, Matrubials
Amy Wister, Co-Founder & CEO, Revshopp, Inc
4:50 - 5:05 PM
Networking Break
5:05 - 5:10 PM
Key AI Themes from a Central & Sacramento Valley Perspective
Featuring Chris Carleson, Partner, CVF Capital Partners
5:10 - 5:40 PM
Fireside Chat 2: Sacramento Spotlight - Building a Game-Changing AI Company in Real Time
Featuring Mark Otero, Founder & CEO, Azra Games
Interviewer: Rick Spencer, Partner, Growth Factory Ventures
Interviewer: Rick Spencer, Partner, Growth Factory Ventures
5:40 - 6:10 PM
Sacramento VC & Portco: AI Spotlight Segment
Featuring Lokesh Sikaria, Founder & Managing Director, Moneta Ventures and Vaibhav Nadgauda, Chief Executive Officer, App Orchid and
Managing Director, Moneta Ventures
Managing Director, Moneta Ventures
6:10 - 6:20 PM
Networking Break
6:20 - 6:50 PM
Silicon Valley AI Perspective from a First Check Fund: Garuda Ventures
Featuring Rishi Taparia, Co-Founder & General Partner, Garuda Ventures and Arpan Punyani, Co-Founder and General Partner, Garuda Ventures
6:50 - 7:30 PM
Closing Remarks & Final Networking
SPEAKERS
Hear from a curated group of founders, investors, and industry leaders at the forefront of applied artificial intelligence. This discussion will explore how AI is being put into practice across sectors from Silicon Valley innovation to real-world implementation in the Sacramento region —
offering practical insights, lessons learned, and what's next.
offering practical insights, lessons learned, and what's next.
James Beckwith
President & CEO
Five Star Bank
Five Star Bank
James Beckwith, President & CEO of Five Star Bank, brings nearly 30 years of industry experience and a strong commitment to community leadership. Under his guidance, the Bank continues to support business growth and economic development across the region.
Chris Carleson
PARTNER
CVF CAPITAL PARTNERS
CVF CAPITAL PARTNERS
Chris Carleson has built a strong track record of leading and supporting investments across sectors including healthcare, manufacturing, and business services. His work centers on partnering with companies to accelerate growth and generate meaningful value.
Jon Gregory
SVP / Managing Director, Venture Fund Finance
Five Star Bank
Five Star Bank
With decades of experience in venture banking and economic development, Jon Gregory works closely with founders and investors to support high-growth companies. His work centers on building strong connections across the venture ecosystem.
Sadie St. Lawrence
FOUNDER & CEO
Human Machine Collaboration Institute (hmci)
Human Machine Collaboration Institute (hmci)
Sadie St. Lawrence brings deep experience in data science and AI, with a focus on connecting people, technology, and opportunity. She is widely recognized for her work growing global communities and shaping the future of data-driven careers.
Vaibhav Nadgauda
CEO
app orchid
app orchid
Vaibhav Nadgauda is a seasoned technology and investment leader with a track record of building and scaling successful companies. His work centers on supporting innovation and helping high-growth businesses reach their full potential.
Mark Otero
FOUNDER & CEO
AZRA GAMES
AZRA GAMES
Mark Otero is a serial founder and veteran game designer with a proven track record of building blockbuster RPG titles, including Star Wars: Galaxy of Heroes, one of the highest-grossing mobile games of its kind.
Arpan Punyani
CO-FOUNDER
GARUDA VENTURES
GARUDA VENTURES
Arpan Punyani brings experience across venture investing and corporate development, with a focus on supporting early-stage founders building innovative technology companies.
Ishita Shah
FOUNDER & CEO
MATRUBIALS
MATRUBIALS
Ishita Shah is a biotech founder focused on developing innovative, science-driven therapies to address infectious diseases and improve women's health outcomes.
Lokesh Sikaria
FOUNDER
MONETA VENTURES
MONETA VENTURES
Lokesh Sikaria brings decades of experience as both an operator and investor, having built and scaled successful technology companies prior to supporting early-stage founders through venture investing.
Rick Spencer
PARTNER
GROWTH FACTORY VENTURES
GROWTH FACTORY VENTURES
Rick Spencer brings more than two decades of experience working with startups, founders, and early-stage companies. He focuses on helping high-growth businesses scale through strong partnerships, strategic guidance, and access to capital.
Rishi Taparia
CO-FOUNDER &
GENERAL pARTNER
GARUDA VENTURES
GENERAL pARTNER
GARUDA VENTURES
Rishi Taparia works with founders at the start of their journey, providing capital, guidance, and strategic support to help bring new ideas to life. He brings deep experience across operations, investment, and high-growth technology companies.
Tim Taylor
DIRECTOR OF BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT
KRANZ CONSULTING
KRANZ CONSULTING
Tim Taylor brings extensive experience in business development and finance, with a focus on building strategic partnerships and supporting high-growth companies. He works closely with clients to understand their needs and deliver thoughtful, growth-oriented solutions.
Amy Wister
CO-FOUNDER & CEO
REVSHOPP, INC.
REVSHOPP, INC.
Amy Wister is an experienced entrepreneur and product innovator focused on transforming the retail experience through technology. Her work centers on creating thoughtful solutions that improve outcomes for shoppers and drive growth for brands.
Chris Yeh
CO-AUTHOR
BLITZSCALING
BLITZSCALING
Chris Yeh is a renowned author, investor, and entrepreneur best known for co-authoring Blitzscaling. His work focuses on helping founders and business leaders build and scale companies at speed in highly competitive markets.
Amanda Sanders
CO-FOUNDER &
GENERAL PARTNER
Wai Mohala Ventures
GENERAL PARTNER
Wai Mohala Ventures
Amanda Sanders is a
12-time entrepreneur and 2x unicorn maker turned conscious venture investor — Founding Partner at Wai-Mohala Ventures and AI Strategist at a new 9- to 10-figure fund-of-funds backing women emerging managers in venture.
12-time entrepreneur and 2x unicorn maker turned conscious venture investor — Founding Partner at Wai-Mohala Ventures and AI Strategist at a new 9- to 10-figure fund-of-funds backing women emerging managers in venture.
Lauren M. Taylor
MANAGING PARTNER
NDVC
NDVC
Lauren M Taylor is Managing Partner at NDVC, an early stage investor in health and biotech infrastructure. NDVC writes equity checks, then stacks non-dilutive capital on top, preserving more ownership through exit. Lauren mentors at the deep-tech accelerator Creative Destruction Lab, scouts for Hustle Fund VC, serves as Regional Lead for their Angel Squad, invests as an angel with Council, and holds LP positions in several funds.
