The Startup Grind Global Conference 2025, held on April 29–30 at the historic Fox Theatre, convened over 5,000 entrepreneurs, investors, and innovators from around the world. The event highlighted the transformative role of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in shaping the future of startups and global innovation.
AI and Tech Innovation at the Forefront
This year's conference theme, "AI & Tech Innovation," underscored how AI is revolutionizing various industries. Sessions delved into topics such as generative AI, productivity tools, and startup scaling strategies. Keynote speakers included:
- Kevin Systrom, Co-founder of Instagram
- Aaron Levie, CEO of Box
- Samir Kaul, Founding Partner at Khosla Ventures
- Rose Wang, COO of Bluesky
- Mamoon Hamid, Partner at Kleiner Perkins
- Peter Fenton, General Partner at Benchmark
These industry leaders shared insights on product development, AI integration, and the future of technology-driven entrepreneurship.
Derek Andersen: Championing Entrepreneurial Communities
The conference was spearheaded by Derek Andersen, Founder and CEO of Startup Grind. Since its inception in 2010, Andersen has grown Startup Grind into a global community with over 600 chapters across 125 countries, dedicated to educating, inspiring, and connecting entrepreneurs. His commitment to fostering inclusive and supportive startup ecosystems was evident throughout the event.
Bangladesh's Presence on the Global Stage
Representing Bangladesh, Farihan F. Rahman, Chapter Director of Startup Grind Dhaka and Founder of InveStar BD, organized & participated in the conference. He emphasized the potential of Bangladeshi startups and expressed his commitment to bringing a delegation of talented founders to next year's event. Rahman stated, "Our goal is to showcase Bangladesh's growing tech ecosystem and connect our entrepreneurs with global opportunities." Farihan was also given a Director's award for his work.
Global Community Engagement
The conference's success was bolstered by the efforts of Guillermo Vizcaíno, Startup Grind’s Global Community Director. His leadership in orchestrating community engagement and fostering connections among international chapters was instrumental in creating an inclusive and dynamic environment for attendees.
Looking Ahead
Startup Grind Global Conference 2025 reaffirmed the importance of AI in driving innovation and the value of global collaboration. As the startup ecosystem continues to evolve, events like these play a crucial role in connecting visionaries and fostering growth across borders.
