What we’re about
Entrepreneurship permeates the culture of Silicon Valley - the innovation capital of the world.
Never before has it been so possible for anyone from anywhere, with a great idea and a burning desire to succeed, to make it big and change the world in a relatively short period of time.
Taking a startup from idea to IPO has taken on mythical proportions in Silicon Valley. Many dream the dream, with hopes of launching the "next big thing".
We are a community of entrepreneurs, technologists, academics, financial professionals, corporate executives, attorneys, academics, bloggers, writers, content creators, and social activists.
One of the compelling features of our meetup group is our packed, busy calendar full of informative programs and practical activities designed to help our entrepreneurial members achieve their objectives and realize their aspirations.
We meet regularly to share resources, exchange ideas, and network. We participate in on-line as well as off-line events.
Our events feature expert speakers, networking opportunities, collaboration, community, and fellowship.
Upcoming events (4+)
See all- Startup Fundamentals #2 : Developing a Funding Strategy5 Palo Alto Square, Palo Alto, CA
This event is organized by Access Silicon Valley.
Our meetup group is collaborating by promoting this event.
Startup Fundamentals 2: Developing a Funding Strategy
Thursday, June 12 | 5:00 – 9:00pm5 Palo Alto Square
3000 El Camino Real
Palo Alto, CA 94306SEATING IS EXTREMELY LIMITED, SO RESERVE YOUR SEAT ON EVENTBRITE HERE.
Unlock Your Startup’s Potential: Join Our Essential Workshop! Learn how to develop and implement a funding strategy that is right for your startup!
Are you an entrepreneur ready to transform your vision into a successful, fundable startup? Access Silicon Valley invites you to join us for an invaluable 3-hour workshop designed to equip you with the legal and business tools and insights necessary to build a fundable and scalable startup and thrive in the startup ecosystem! Learn how to develop and implement a funding strategy that is right for your startup!
This is the second of three workshops in the Access Silicon Valley Startup Fundamental Series for startup founders, startup executives, entrepreneurs, innovators, and developers. While advantageous to have attended all 3 workshops, this is stand-alone content. You can still attend this program if you missed the first.
CONTENT
In this second workshop of the Startup Fundamentals series, Roger Rappoport, a former entrepreneur, founder of Access Silicon Valley, a partner at Snell & Wilmer and co-leader of its Emerging Growth and Venture Capital practice group, will conduct an interactive, informative session with in depth content on how successful Silicon Valley startups develop and implement successful funding strategies, securing funding from angel, seed and VC investors. Learn the best way to raise the money you need to successfully launch and scale your startup!
This session will cover:- How to develop a funding strategy appropriate for your startup
- When to raise funds, how much to raise, and from who
- The danger of taking too much or too little from investors
- Identifying the valuation inflection points of your company
- The differences between seed, angel and venture capital funding
- Alternative funding sources
- Appropriate funding instruments for each round of funding, including convertible notes, SAFE's, common stock and preferred stock
- The pros and cons of selling equity, convertible instruments, and venture debt
- Selecting and gaining access to the right investor
- What to do to increase the pre-money valuation of your company
Materials:
A comprehensive 70+-page digital workbook with an actionable step-by-step guide will be distributed to all registered event attendees on the day of the event.
Agenda:
5:00 PM - 6:00 PM - Dinner and networking
6:00 PM - 9:00 PM - Startup workshop
8:45 PM - 9:00 PM - Q & ASEATING IS EXTREMELY LIMITED, SO RESERVE YOUR SEAT ON EVENTBRITE HERE.
About the Speaker:
Snell & Wilmer Partner Roger Rappoport, Co-Leader of the Emerging Growth and Venture Capital Practice Group, is a seasoned advisor to startups and emerging growth companies and the investors who finance them, guiding clients from inception through exit. With over two decades of experience in the startup ecosystem, Roger focuses on venture capital and angel investor financings, including convertible notes, SAFEs, and other debt financings. His knowledge extends to mergers and acquisitions, joint ventures, distribution, development, manufacturing, and licensing transactions, as well as executive compensation and the establishment of equity incentive plans.
Questions? Email Alex Levine at alevine@swlaw.com.
Up Next
Part 3: Understanding the "Terms" In Term Sheets | July 17, 2025
Join Snell & Wilmer’s AI Leadership Collective
Snell & Wilmer is excited to announce the S&W AI Leadership Collective, a forum designed for exceptional Silicon Valley-based CEOs of AI-first or AI-driven startups to Series B companies. Led by Snell & Wilmer Partner Roger Rappoport, this initiative fosters strategic, peer-to-peer discussions on building and scaling AI companies, navigating regulations, securing funding, and leading high-performing teams. CEOs have the option to nominate themselves or their peers for this program. This in-person gathering will be held monthly in Palo Alto, and group size is limited to encourage meaningful interaction and knowledge exchange. The AI Leadership Collective offers a platform for collaboration, accountability, and lasting connections. Learn more here: https://bit.ly/4huWFnt. - Rodin Collection at the Cantor Arts Center and Social Networking-StanfordCantor Arts Center at Stanford University, Stanford, CA
This event is organized in collaboration with other groups.
This event is FREE to attend.
In order to attend, please register here:
This event is FREE to attend.
Agenda
10:45 AM Meet in front of the Cantor Arts Center
Look for the MEETUP sign!
Meet and greet!
Network, socialize and connect!
11:30 AM Group tour of the Rodin collection
12:30 PM Roam the exhibits or have lunch in the cafe at the Cantor Arts Center
OPTIONAL: 1:30 PM Group tour of the Stanford campus
(Attendees will purchase their own food and beverages.)
Please review this link for info on the Cantor Cantor Arts Center, directions and parking info.
https://museum.stanford.edu/visit
Please review this link for info on the Rodin collection.
https://museum.stanford.edu/exhibitions/rodin-shock-modern-body
Please register here for admission to the Cantor Arts Center.
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/cantor-arts-center-reservations-tickets-159897258003
(Admission is free but registration is required.)
- Sunday Night NetworkingPanera Bread, Santa Clara, CA
This event is organized in collaboration with many groups.
Look for the MEETUP sign!
Organizational Sponsor:
Create Your App in Minutes!
Visit:
https://passion.io/?_go=idea-to-ipo
Email marketing for FREE!
Visit:
https://www.aweber.com/easy-email.htm?id=533058
Grow Your Instagram Fam Base with InstaChamp by Mobile Monkey!
Visit:
https://app.mobilemonkey.com/instachampIPO
Look for the MEETUP sign!
Come out and meet new people!
Network, socialize and connect!
This event is free to attend.
Please register here:
Attendees must purchase their own liquid refreshments and food.
There's no content or speaker at this event -- just business and social networking.
Build your business and social network - face to face! (in-person)
Come out and enjoy a great evening of good food, liquid refreshments, and connecting.
You may meet your next business collaborator, client, employer, employee, friend, or tennis partner!
Getting away from a screen for a few hours will do you some good!
: -)
Meet Silicon Valley movers and shakers - Internet entrepreneurs, developers, engineers, mobile app coders, attorneys, bloggers, academics, financiers, marketing professionals, community organizers and investors.
This event is organized in collaboration with other groups!
@ideatoipo
www.idea-to-ipo.com
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCjYga11avYH_CUpC0BSyDng
(videos of online events)
Look for the MEETUP sign!
