StrictlyVC is coming back to New York City for the first time since 2024 with an event on September 10 aimed at the startup, venture capital, and dealmaking communities, coinciding with a record year for startup funding in the city.
- NYC startups raised $16B in H1 2026, nearly matching 2025 total
- Event features sessions on community building and company reinvention
- Tickets are $180; event held at Ideal Glass Studios in West Village
What happened
StrictlyVC is hosting its first in-person New York City event since 2024 on September 10, located in the West Village at Ideal Glass Studios. This event aims to provide unprecedented access to founders, investors, and dealmakers within the startup ecosystem, offering candid conversations and networking opportunities.
The event features sessions led by notable figures including Craig Shapiro of Collaborative Fund and StrictlyVC founder Connie Loizos, focusing on the value of community in business. Additional speakers such as Tristan Walker will discuss modern challenges and opportunities in building consumer startups.
Why it matters
New York City's startup ecosystem has shown significant growth, raising $16 billion in the first half of 2026 — almost the entire amount raised in all of 2025. Seed funding rounds have increased both in number and size, signaling strong investor confidence and a vibrant pipeline of innovation across sectors like AI, healthcare, climate, fintech, and robotics.
This momentum highlights New York as a leading hub for startup activity, underscoring the significance of events like StrictlyVC that foster connections and provide insight into emerging trends and investment dynamics critical for founders and investors navigating this competitive environment.
What to watch next
Upcoming sessions and speaker announcements for the StrictlyVC NYC event will expand on themes like community value, technological innovation, and leadership in an AI-influenced economy. Watch for more high-profile industry leaders joining the agenda, as organizers build on the event’s reputation for in-depth, forward-looking discussions.
Beyond this September event, founders should consider attending the StrictlyVC Founder Summit in Boston in November, which offers workshops and networking designed to equip startups with skills to pitch, fundraise, and grow successfully in the evolving venture capital landscape.