StrictlyVC returns to New York on September 10 with Keith Rabois and Deven Parekh

TechCrunch's boutique evening series StrictlyVC is coming to New York's West Village on Thursday evening, September 10. It is the series' first New York edition in two years, following events this year in San Francisco, Los Angeles and Athens. Collaborative Fund is co-hosting the night.

Who is speaking

The evening opens with investor Keith Rabois, who recently relocated from Silicon Valley to the East Coast. He is expected to share his views on founders who raise more capital than they actually need. The conversation will also cover Khosla Ventures' early $50 million check into OpenAI in 2019, when the company had no clear business model, and the narrative that OpenAI now faces more headwinds than its rivals. Rabois has backed Ramp four times and invested as often in State Affairs, which uses AI and local journalists to track statehouse news and policy data across all 50 states.

Next, Collaborative Fund's Craig Shapiro and D.C. United CEO Jason Levien will discuss sports organisations as business investments and the intersection of sport, fandom, commerce and community.

Founders and funds

Tristan Walker, who sold Walker & Company Brands to Procter & Gamble in 2018, will present Heirloom Craft, a startup focused on reshoring American fine craftsmanship and training a new generation of artisans. He will be joined by Brynn Putnam, who sold connected-fitness startup Mirror to Lululemon for $500 million three years after launch. Her new venture, Board, is a game company combining physical play with AI-powered creation tools.

Closing the programme is Deven Parekh, who has co-run New York investment firm Insight Partners for more than 25 years. The event will also include drinks, hors d'oeuvres and networking sessions.

Ticketing and further details are in TechCrunch's announcement.