Ambition 2026: A Curated Startup Summit

2026-09-24 · 09:00:00 · Los Angeles

Santa Monica, CA

Ambition 2026 is an application-only startup summit in Santa Monica bringing together 150 founders, operators, and early-stage investors for focused discussions and networking.

Get up-to-date information at: https://luma.com/ambition2026

Address: Check event page for more details.

Hosted by Justin Gordon

Founder brief

Who should attend

This summit is suited for founders running venture-backed or bootstrapped companies across SaaS, fintech, AI, consumer, and hardware sectors. Operators at early and growth-stage startups, early-stage investors, and select startup ecosystem service providers can apply to join the small cohort.

What happens

Activity begins with an optional pre-summit speaker dinner for roughly 40 guests. Main programming kicks off at 9:00 AM with coffee and networking, followed by fireside chats, lunch, operator breakout sessions, and a closing party. Scheduled speakers run through the afternoon with regular networking breaks built in.

Who's in the room

Hosted by Justin Gordon, the room convenes 150 participants. Speakers include founders and executives such as Dee Murthy of Ghost, Mehul Nariyawala of Matic Robots, Jessica Chang of Upwards, Dara Ladjevardian of Delphi, Jo Phillips of Payabli, Shivani Siroya of Tala, and investors Rick Smith of Crosscut Ventures and Shamin Walsh of BAM Ventures.

How to prepare

Because attendance is strictly limited to 150 people, prepare concise conversation points about your company's current metrics and operational challenges. Review the roster of speakers and sponsors beforehand to identify specific founders and investors you want to engage during coffee breaks, lunch, and the evening reception.

Organizer: The LA Grind

Register

At a glance

Tickets
599 usd
Format
Intimate day of programming with fireside chats, operator breakout sessions, and a closing party.
Theme
A Curated Startup Summit
Who can apply
Founders building venture-backed or bootstrapped startups, operators at early and growth-stage companies, investors active in early-stage markets, and select service providers supporting the startup ecosystem. All attendance is application-based.
Attendance
150 founders, operators, and investors
Sectors
Saas, Fintech, Ai ml, Consumer, Hardware

Agenda

  1. Wednesday, September 23 · Pre-Summit Speaker Dinner — An intimate dinner the night before the summit. Limited to ~40 people. Included with VIP tickets.
  2. 09:00 · Doors open, coffee, meet fellow attendees
  3. 10:00 · Welcome
  4. 10:15 · Dee Murthy (Ghost)
  5. 10:45 · Mehul Nariyawala (Matic)
  6. 11:15 · Break
  7. 11:30 · Jessica Chang (Upwards)
  8. 12:00 · Lunch
  9. 13:30 · Dara Ladjevardian (Delphi)
  10. 14:00 · Rick Smith (Crosscut)
  11. 14:30 · Jo Phillips (Payabli)
  12. 15:00 · Break
  13. 15:30 · Shamin Walsh (BAM Ventures)
  14. 16:00 · Shivani Siroya (Tala)
  15. 16:30 · Final words
  16. 17:30 · Closing party — Walking distance from the venue, attendees will get an email with the exact location

Speakers, judges and hosts

  • Dara Ladjevardian — Founder & CEO, Delphi (Speaker)
  • Dee Murthy — Co-Founder, Ghost (Speaker)
  • Jessica Chang — Co-Founder and CEO, Upwards (Speaker)
  • Jo Phillips — Co-Founder, Payabli (Speaker)
  • Mehul Nariyawala — Co-Founder, Matic Robots (Speaker)
  • Rick Smith — Co-Founder, Crosscut Ventures (Speaker)
  • Shamin Walsh — Managing Director, BAM Ventures (Speaker)
  • Shivani Siroya — Founder and CEO, Tala (Speaker)

Sponsors and partners

  • DLA Piper
  • Venice Inc.
  • Bailey Glasser LLP
  • Ardas
  • Tax Hack Accounting Group
  • Agora

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