New York Tech Networking: Test-Drive a Partnership Before You Commit

You'd never hire someone from a profile. Why would you pick a co-founder that way? Two hours of working next to somebody tells you what no interview will: how they frame a problem, whether they cut scope or gold-plate it, how they handle being wrong in front of strangers. ⚙️ WHAT ACTUALLY HAPPENS Everyone submits one real problem before the evening — by the time you arrive they're all on the board. The room votes on which ones get worked on. Then tables of five, one problem at a time: two minutes to explain, three minutes of questions only, eight minutes while the table works on it out loud and the author turns their chair around and takes notes. Halfway through there's a second vote — the problems that didn't make the first round get their turn. New table, new problem. 🔧 FOR BUILDERS SPECIFICALLY Half this room is looking for a technical partner and has no idea how to evaluate one. Twenty minutes of being visibly useful at a table is the strongest signal you can send — and the fastest way to find out whether you'd actually want to work with them. You don't need a startup to come. Bring an engineering problem, a hiring problem, or the question you keep circling: should I even do this. 🎯 NOBODY LEAVES WITH NOTHING Near the end the host asks who still has no answer, and the room finds them a contact — by name, out loud. Including you, if your problem didn't make the tables. 🤝 MUTUAL MATCHES ONLY You mark who you'd build with; we connect when both sides agree, within 48 hours. Nobody gets a cold list of your contacts. 📋 ONE THING IS REQUIRED BEFORE YOU COME After booking you'll get a three-minute form in our Mini App: your problem in one line, some context, how long it's been unresolved. Only submitted problems make the board. 👥 WHO'S IN THE ROOM Engineers, designers and technical leads considering the founder path · solo founders looking for a technical partner · operators from scaling startups · founders with a team who came to unstick something. Hosted by Andrey Krylow. He greets every guest at the door, seats you at the right table, and makes the introductions. WHAT'S GUARANTEED: a curated room, two working sessions, mutual matches within 48 hours. WHAT WE DON'T PROMISE: a room full of investors. Some evenings have angels and scouts, some don't — better you know before you buy. Chatham House Rule applies: use what you hear, don't attribute it to anyone in this room. Registration required. Check-in and contacts through the Ascent Valley Mini App — no new account, no second app. Ascent Valley — a founder and investor ecosystem across 20 cities. IDEA → PROCESS → RESULT.