Hustler Words – Get ready for a glimpse into the future! This Wednesday evening, PlayGround Global in Palo Alto will host an exclusive gathering where brilliant minds shaping tomorrow’s world will share their insights. This event marks the grand finale of the 2025 StrictlyVC series, promising an extraordinary lineup of innovators.
The StrictlyVC series, previously under the umbrella of hustlerwords.com, has journeyed across the globe, fostering discussions with influential figures. The core concept remains consistent: to spotlight individuals spearheading groundbreaking advancements before they gain widespread recognition.
A memorable moment from 2019 saw Sam Altman of OpenAI humorously declare their monetization strategy as "build AGI, then ask it how to make money." What seemed like a joke then is now a reality.
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This time, attendees will hear from Nicholas Kelez, a former Department of Energy physicist who spent two decades constructing seemingly impossible technologies. Now, he’s tackling the semiconductor industry’s biggest challenge: the reliance on exorbitantly priced machines produced by a single Dutch company. Kelez is pioneering the next generation of chip manufacturing in America, utilizing particle accelerator technology.
Mina Fahmi will also be present, showcasing a revolutionary ring that translates whispered thoughts into text. Fahmi and his co-founder, Kirak Hong, honed their expertise at Meta after their company’s acquisition. The Stream Ring, backed by Toni Schneider of True Ventures, aims to augment cognitive abilities.
Max Hodak, founder of Science Corp and former Neuralink co-founder, will share his work on "biohybrid" brain-computer interfaces. These interfaces involve stem cell-seeded chips that integrate with brain tissue, enabling paralyzed individuals to control devices with their thoughts. Hodak envisions a drastically different world by 2035 and will elaborate on his vision.
Adding to the insightful discussions are Chi-Hua Chien of Goodwater Capital and Elizabeth Weil of Scribble Ventures, venture capitalists with a track record of investing in transformative companies like Twitter, Spotify, TikTok, Slack, SpaceX, Figma, and Coinbase before they became household names. They believe Silicon Valley is misinterpreting the current landscape by heavily investing in enterprise AI, and they will share their perspectives.
PlayGround Global, in collaboration with general partner Pat Gelsinger, former CEO of Intel, will host the event. Attendees can expect engaging conversations, delectable food, and refreshing drinks. Given the limited seating, those interested in attending are encouraged to register promptly.
For partnership opportunities in the 2026 series, interested parties are invited to reach out.
Loizos has covered Silicon Valley since the late 1990s, starting at Red Herring magazine. Formerly the Silicon Valley Editor of hustlerwords.com, she became Editor in Chief and General Manager in September 2023. She also founded StrictlyVC, a daily e-newsletter and lecture series acquired by Yahoo in August 2023 and now a sub-brand of hustlerwords.com.
Connie can be contacted at [email protected] or [email protected], or via encrypted message at ConnieLoizos.53 on Signal.
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