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Unlocking Career Potential: The Power Trio of Advocacy, Mentorship, and Sponsorship

Connecting 10,000 AI founders, investors, and executives in Silicon Valley

Author

Mala Ramakrishnan
March 24, 2025

In the professional world, advocacy, mentorship, and sponsorship play distinct roles in career growth. Advocates support your ideas and decisions, mentors provide guidance and advice, while sponsors actively promote your advancement.

For instance, a mentor might coach you on public speaking, while a sponsor would recommend you for a high-profile presentation opportunity. Sponsorship, in particular, can be a game-changer, especially for women and underrepresented groups. Studies show that women are often over-mentored and under-sponsored compared to men.

Can you name one person in your career who has served as your sponsor?

Founders Creative runs councils - Engineering, GTM, and Product as well as verticals such as Cybersecurity & Privacy, Healthcare, and Climate - with the mission to foster sponsorship outside the workplace so YOU too get a chance at landing that next plum role.

Upcoming Events Highlights

Deep Dive Councils

Join us for a summit on the AI revolution in the engineering function. Are you eager to learn how artificial intelligence can revolutionize engineering? Limited seats left:

March 28 Friday 12-5:30pm PST | Palo Alto California
Register:lu.ma/engsummit

AI Product Salon: Agentic AI - Practical Use Cases · March 28 5-7pm PST | Pleasanton

Event hosted by Founders Creative in collaboration with UX Reactor. In the new era of AI, the Product Management function is leading cutting edge innovation join us for thought leadership conversations with fellow product managers.

lu.ma/productsalon2

AI Go-to-Market Salon · April 18 12-1:30pm PST | Mountain View

In the new era of AI, the go-to-market function is being redefined on multiple levels. The traditional models for lead generation are being revolutionized by AI-based automation products. Join fellow GTM professionals for thought leadership discussions.

lu.ma/gtmsalon4

AI Experience Salon: Designing the Agentic Experiences · April 24 12-1:30pm PST | Mountain View

The rise of AI is transforming user experiences, with Agentic design at the forefront of this revolution. In this new era, users don’t just interact with systems—they collaborate with intelligent, adaptive entities that understand, learn, and empower. Join fellow AI Experience Executives, UX Design Leaders, AI Innovators, AI Researchers, AI Startup Founders, AI Engineers Leaders, and other AI enthusiasts for thought leadership conversations.

lu.ma/designthinking1

Venture Capital Events

Curious about what’s ahead for venture capital in 2025? Join the partners from Progressive Ventures to explore trends, growth opportunities, and strategic insights for the year ahead. Get a front-row seat to what’s next in the evolving market.

Session with a VC: Investing in Startups [Online] · March 26 1-2pm PST

Join Founders Creative for a live session on investing in AI startups hosted by Progressive Ventures.

lu.ma/eysyv56k

Making a break into AI Venture Capital: Live Networking · March 27 10:30-12pm PST | San Francisco

Join us a live session on investing in AI startups. We will discuss the state of the industry and investing, how to evaluate startups, and make a break into venture capital.

lu.ma/m6wdemty

Why join a Venture Fellowship program · March 28 10-11:30am PST | Menlo Park

Join partners from Progressive Ventures on a discussion to make a break into Venture Capital. We will discuss the state of the industry and investing, how to evaluate startups.

lu.ma/8g2bljkz

Founder Focus Events

The AI Kaleidoscope: For Founders by Founders · April 17 2-5 | Hosted by Google

The Founders Creative Kaleidoscope Series brings together the brightest minds in artificial intelligence across various disciplines to explore the power of collaboration. ​​Join us for an afternoon of thought-provoking dialogue, networking, and actionable strategies as we explore how AI can transform industries, solve complex problems, and shape the future together.

lu.ma/aikaleidoscope

Blog of the week

What’s New in AI SaaS Funding? | Mala Ramakrishnan, Managing Partner of Progressive Ventures

From seed to series, where’s the money moving?

founderscreative.substack.com/p/whats-new-in-ai-saas-funding

  • Seed Stage - AI companies are raising rounds 28% higher than non AI startups

  • Series A & B median valuations are 2.5x higher

  • Growth Stage (Series C & Beyond) demands proprietary infrastructure


    Featured below: Chief Product Officer Fireside Chat: Abhijit Kakhandiki with Mala Ramakrishnan

Video of the week

Panel discussion on AI Driven Threat Detection

Wellness & Connection

AI Executive Dinner · March 28 6:30-9pm | Los Altos

Special Invite Dinner: An Exclusive Gathering for AI Leaders Join us for an exclusive dinner is designed for senior AI leaders to deepen connections, exchange…

lu.ma/ozotworp

Yoga and Networking · April 6 5-6:30pm | Palo Alto

Join us for light yoga and meditation followed by networking. Bring a yoga mat and water. Wear loose, comfortable clothes.

lu.ma/ssyoga2

Women's Cafe Collective · April 8 2-3:30pm | San Francisco

LLMs, Lattes and the future of AI over coffee.

lu.ma/womenscafe2

Call for Speakers!

We host regular in person events in SF Bay Area. Our AI Innovators Forum is monthly signature event featuring are looking to elevate your profile on our stage

Founder Pitches

Are you a founder looking to elevate your company and connect with operators, investors, and prospective customers? Please submit your information here to be featured at our AI Innovators Forum for a founder pitch: https://forms.gle/vgZG47nxmqzMC3LUA

High-Tech Executive Panels

Are you trying to build your voice and platform? How about being featured on a Founders Creative Panel for your expertise?
Please submit your information here: https://forms.gle/TvpbedkK6gSzRGHEA

Join us at an upcoming events: lu.ma/founderscreative and sign up for our newsletter: www.founderscreative.org/#newsletter