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The AI Power Move You Can't Afford to Miss: SF's Hottest Tech Event Just Dropped a Legendary Lineup

Manaal Khan2 April 2026 at 3:28 pm6 min read
The AI Power Move You Can't Afford to Miss: SF's Hottest Tech Event Just Dropped a Legendary Lineup

Less than a month out, StrictlyVC is bringing top minds from TDK Ventures, Replit, and Forum AI to San Francisco for a night of unfiltered insights on AI, startup funding, and the future of coding. With corporate VCs, AI trust, and vibe coding on the table, founders and investors won't want to miss this.

Key Takeaways

  • TDK Ventures' Nicolas Sauvage reveals what corporate VCs look for in startups
  • Replit's Amjad Masad dives into the rise of 'vibe coding' and AI's impact on programming
  • Campbell Brown discusses building trustworthy AI platforms at Forum AI
  • The event offers rare founder-VC face time with top-tier investors
  • More speakers are still to be announced, adding to the anticipation

In This Article

  • The Wait Is Over: StrictlyVC Returns to San Francisco
  • Inside the Mind of a Corporate VC: TDK’s $500M Playbook
  • Can We Trust AI? Campbell Brown’s Mission at Forum AI
  • Vibe Coding Is Here: Replit’s Amjad Masad on AI and the New Dev Era

The Wait Is Over: StrictlyVC Returns to San Francisco

Mark your calendars: April 30 isn’t just another Wednesday—it’s the night the startup world converges in San Francisco for the year’s first StrictlyVC event. Hosted at the Sentro Filipino Cultural Center, this invite-only gathering has become a magnet for founders, investors, and tech innovators looking to connect where it matters most.

  • StrictlyVC is known for intimate, high-impact networking that goes beyond typical industry panels
  • This edition kicks off early summer with a laser focus on AI, fundraising, and next-gen tech leadership
StrictlyVC San Francisco 2026
StrictlyVC San Francisco 2026 (Source: Startups | TechCrunch)

Inside the Mind of a Corporate VC: TDK’s $500M Playbook

Nicolas Sauvage, president of TDK Ventures, is stepping into the spotlight to demystify how corporate venture capital really works. With a war chest of $500 million and 45 startups under their belt—including three unicorns—TDK isn’t just investing; they’re shaping the future.

  • Sauvage will break down what sets corporate VCs apart from traditional firms, especially when it comes to strategic alignment and long-term value
  • Founders will learn what makes TDK’s team say 'yes'—and how to position their startups for similar backing

Can We Trust AI? Campbell Brown’s Mission at Forum AI

When Campbell Brown left her role leading news at Meta, she didn’t slow down—she launched Forum AI, a startup tackling one of AI’s biggest challenges: truth. As people increasingly turn to large language models for answers, ensuring accuracy isn’t just important, it’s critical.

  • Brown will speak about the mechanisms needed to verify information generated by AI
  • Her journey from CNN to Meta to founder gives her a rare, 360-degree view of media, tech, and trust

Vibe Coding Is Here: Replit’s Amjad Masad on AI and the New Dev Era

Remember when coding meant hours at a keyboard? That’s changing fast, thanks to Replit and its vision of 'vibe coding'—a more intuitive, AI-powered way to build software. CEO Amjad Masad, a pioneer in cloud-based development, will share how AI is rewriting the rules of programming.

  • Masad will explore how tools like AI pair programming are reshaping developer workflows
  • With giants like OpenAI and Anthropic in the space, Replit’s platform remains a favorite for accessible, collaborative coding
Founders should understand that corporate VCs don’t just bring money—we bring market access, tech synergy, and real-world validation.

— Nicolas Sauvage, President, TDK Ventures

If we want AI to be a force for truth, not confusion, we have to design it that way from day one.

— Campbell Brown, CEO and Co-Founder, Forum AI

Final Thoughts

With game-changing speakers, deep-dive conversations, and the kind of connections that launch unicorns, StrictlyVC San Francisco is shaping up to be the can’t-miss tech event of the spring. Whether you're raising funds, building AI, or reimagining software, this is where the next wave begins.

Sources & Credits

Originally reported by Startups | TechCrunch — TechCrunch Events

M

Manaal Khan

Tech & Innovation Writer