Would You Even

#NYTechWeek was an absolute whirlwind of inspiration, innovation, and a pinch of stress-induced FOMO for Kaleidoscope and me! Every year, it gets better; this time, we came out on top (What a ride). If you're like us, juggling work and events is a high-wire act, but the payoff was worth it. Here's a glimpse into the events we attended or curated and the invaluable lessons we took away. How to Raise a Pre-Seed | Presented by XRC Ventures, Entrepreneurs Roundtable Accelerator & Fenwick & West Mediated by the brilliant Charlie O'Donnell (I still didn't get to say hello in person), this session was a treasure trove of insights. Here are the top three points we loved: (thank you to Sam Wils, Brian Hecht, Jenny Friedman, Allison Cooper ) VC money is the priciest you'll ever take - Believe you can transform into a unicorn 🦄 ? Then aim to become a billion-dollar business. If not, do not take VC money. Your best intros for investors come from former founders and trusted VCs - Build solid relationships in your space. VCs often invest in friends - Relationships matter more than you think. LOL. WYE: Good Design is Needed in Tech (Leslie De Lorenzo) Hosted by us at Would You Even, this impromptu coffee meet was a lively exchange of ideas and stories. Massive thanks to everyone for stopping by. Key takeaways: We need more discussions and events around design in tech - As AI evolves, we must design our future systems with it, led by designers and developers. Bridging the gap between design concept and testable product—If you're grappling with this, reach out to WYE. The design community for transitioning designers to tech - Where is it? Lean Coffee Startup Hosted by the charismatic Geoff Scott, this monthly meetup was supercharged with Techweek attendees and startup founders nationwide. The hot topics were: To hire or contract for your startup - The consensus is to hire for IP and contract to scale. AI's role in tackling global warming and sustainability - Can AI save the planet, or is it too late? Best networking spots - My pick: join Yorkseed, led by the amazing Jessica Sophia Wong. Humanity, AI, and the New Role of Startups I had the privilege of joining a talented panel of Richard Mensah, Sophy Li, Shreya A., and Benjamin Friedman at Wells Fargo to discuss how startups can shape the future of AI. The hour-long discussion was packed with insights, questions, and laughs. Here are some of the insights. Preparing for job market shifts - Will vocational jobs prevail, or will everyone run million-dollar businesses? Balancing profit and ethics - How can startups stay ethical while still being able to make money.? Keeping tech human - My take: with the right humans leading tech, the tech will remain human. From raising pre-seed funds to designing tech futures and debating the ethics of AI, TechWeek was a phenomenal journey of learning and growth. #Tech #DesignThinking #StartupLife #AI #Networking #NYTech #GoodDesign #ethical

#NYTechWeek was an absolute whirlwind of inspiration, innovation, and a pinch of stress-induced FOMO for Kaleidoscope and me! Every year, it gets better; this time, we came out on top (What a ride). If you're like us, juggling work and events is a high-wire act, but the payoff was worth it. Here's a glimpse into the events we attended or curated and the invaluable lessons we took away. How to Raise a Pre-Seed | Presented by XRC Ventures, Entrepreneurs Roundtable Accelerator & Fenwick & West Mediated by the brilliant Charlie O'Donnell (I still didn't get to say hello in person), this session was a treasure trove of insights. Here are the top three points we loved: (thank you to Sam Wils, Brian Hecht, Jenny Friedman, Allison Cooper ) VC money is the priciest you'll ever take - Believe you can transform into a unicorn 🦄 ? Then aim to become a billion-dollar business. If not, do not take VC money. Your best intros for investors come from former founders and trusted VCs - Build solid relationships in your space. VCs often invest in friends - Relationships matter more than you think. LOL. WYE: Good Design is Needed in Tech (Leslie De Lorenzo) Hosted by us at Would You Even, this impromptu coffee meet was a lively exchange of ideas and stories. Massive thanks to everyone for stopping by. Key takeaways: We need more discussions and events around design in tech - As AI evolves, we must design our future systems with it, led by designers and developers. Bridging the gap between design concept and testable product—If you're grappling with this, reach out to WYE. The design community for transitioning designers to tech - Where is it? Lean Coffee Startup Hosted by the charismatic Geoff Scott, this monthly meetup was supercharged with Techweek attendees and startup founders nationwide. The hot topics were: To hire or contract for your startup - The consensus is to hire for IP and contract to scale. AI's role in tackling global warming and sustainability - Can AI save the planet, or is it too late? Best networking spots - My pick: join Yorkseed, led by the amazing Jessica Sophia Wong. Humanity, AI, and the New Role of Startups I had the privilege of joining a talented panel of Richard Mensah, Sophy Li, Shreya A., and Benjamin Friedman at Wells Fargo to discuss how startups can shape the future of AI. The hour-long discussion was packed with insights, questions, and laughs. Here are some of the insights. Preparing for job market shifts - Will vocational jobs prevail, or will everyone run million-dollar businesses? Balancing profit and ethics - How can startups stay ethical while still being able to make money.? Keeping tech human - My take: with the right humans leading tech, the tech will remain human. From raising pre-seed funds to designing tech futures and debating the ethics of AI, TechWeek was a phenomenal journey of learning and growth. #Tech #DesignThinking #StartupLife #AI #Networking #NYTech #GoodDesign #ethical

WYE Good Design is needed in Tech New York #techweek We are calling all design-led startups and VCs. Amidst the multitude of events during TechWeek, there is a scarcity of discussions on design, branding, and strategy—in fact very few! Building a startup is challenging, but those who succeed often do it well through design, brand, and strategy to appeal to their customers and fans. So, how do you succeed in a fast-paced world of tech using design? Come and ask those questions at this Techweek event, where we are having a meet-up so you can ask our team anything from how to build your brand, create an award-winning customer experience, and drive loyalty through design. Plus, share your stories with with fellow startups and entrepreneurs. Hosted by WYE, an award-winning team that has crafted products that have been touched by thousands around the world. This event is a part of #TechWeek - a week of events hosted by VCs and startups to bring together the tech ecosystem. Register on our event page: https://lu.ma/s1b8iozg

☎ Calling on brands, startups, and businesses.☎ We often only talk about our goings-on at Kaleidoscope, which is fun, but we often forget to talk about our agency, Would You Even, which is fun for everyone! At WYE, we're not just creatives - we're humans, disruptors, and relentless problem-solvers on a mission to redefine how digital brands connect with their real-world consumers. From concept to release, we craft award-winning designs and experiences that captivate, inspire, and drive actual results. Our skills have taken us on travels across food and beverage, fashion, stationery, and music. We deliver value for global brands, making millions of customers happy along the way. We like to make brands look good. We’ve just relaunched and are taking calls now. Come say hi. ☕ Coffee is on us. (Paul Thorogood, Leslie De Lorenzo, Dan Rubin), maybe even a slice of Battenburg. 🍰 https://lnkd.in/eeaMc2kY #design #brand #phigital #consumer #startups #product

What happens when artists collaborate with artificial intelligence? ART!!! Kaleidoscope has been exploring the relationship between physical art and generative AI. Working with our team and artists, we have put together the first in a series of events called Artists vs. AI. In round 1, we have Bryant Small vs AI. Bryant is a renowned artist and curator in Jersey City and New York. Join us on May 19th, 2024, at Mana Contemporary in Jersey City, New Jersey, for an exhibition from 12 PM to 6 PM that beautifully illustrates the union of human creativity and AI in an ethical framework. Studio b23 Mana Contemporary 888 Newark Avenue Jersey City https://lnkd.in/eTtExbVs This event is particularly close to my heart as it highlights our dedication to fostering an environment where technology enhances artistic expression without compromising ethical values or the human touch. Don’t miss this exciting exploration of ethical AI. All artwork is available for sale and is a unique, one-of-a-kind piece of art. #ArtistsVsAI #BryantSmall #AIinArt #ArtExhibition #InnovativeArt #NJArtScene #ArtTechnology #KaleidoscopeArt #EthicalAI #HumanCenteredDesign #NJEAD #AINJ