Founders: Off the Record
- Date
- 2025-09-09
- Location
- New York, NY, USA
- Host
- Bagel Entrepreneurs
About this event
Some of the most useful founder conversations happen after the pitch deck is closed, the public story is put away, and people can speak plainly. Founders: Off the Record is built for that kind of room: an in-person gathering in New York where founders and startup-minded operators can connect with honesty, curiosity, and a little more depth than the usual networking event. On a Tuesday evening, this is a chance to step out of your inbox, meet people who understand the pace and pressure of building, and have the kinds of conversations that are actually worth showing up for. About the Event Founders: Off the Record is a community-centered meetup designed to bring together people who are building companies, thinking seriously about starting one, or working closely with founders. The title says a lot about the spirit of the event: this is meant to feel candid, grounded, and human rather than overly polished or performative. The format is social and conversational, with space for real relationship-building rather than rushed introductions. Instead of treating networking like a numbers game, the event creates room for discussions about what is actually happening behind the scenes: decisions, tradeoffs, momentum, uncertainty, and the practical realities of building something from scratch. Because this is an in-person event in New York, the experience is shaped by the energy of being in the room together. That matters. Nuance is easier to pick up face-to-face, trust builds faster, and casual conversations often lead to the most valuable follow-up. If you are looking for a setting where people can be thoughtful, direct, and open about the founder journey, this event is designed with that in mind. What to Expect Expect a relaxed but purposeful evening that blends community, conversation, and informal networking. The focus is less on formal programming and more on creating the conditions for good conversations to happen naturally between people with shared context. You can expect the flow of the event to feel something like this: Arrival and casual check-in so people can settle in, get oriented, and start meeting others without pressure Open networking and small-group conversation with founders, builders, and community-minded attendees Candid, off-the-record discussion where the tone encourages honesty over polished talking points Organic follow-up conversations that can turn a quick introduction into a meaningful connection Rather than forcing a rigid structure, the evening is likely to reward people who come ready to ask strong questions, share real experiences, and listen well. The best interactions at events like this usually come from specificity: what you are building, what you are struggling with, what you are learning, and where you could use perspective. There is also value in the range of conversations that can happen in one room. You might meet someone a few steps ahead of you, someone navigating a similar stage, or someone whose background is completely different but unexpectedly relevant. That mix is often where the most interesting insights come from. Why Attend If you spend a lot of time around startup content online, you already know how easy it is for everything to sound over-rehearsed. This event offers a different kind of value: proximity to people who are doing the work in real life, and a setting where more honest conversations can surface. You should attend if you want more than a stack of shallow introductions. A strong founder community is not just about meeting people; it is about finding peers, future collaborators, sounding boards, and the kind of contacts you are comfortable reaching out to again after the event ends. Here is what makes the evening worthwhile: Real conversation over performance In-person connection with people in the New York startup and founder ecosystem Perspective from peers who understand the pace, ambiguity, and responsibility of building Serendipitous introductions that can lead to partnerships, advice, friendships, or future opportunities A reset at the end of the workday that gets you out of operational mode and back into broader thinking Even if you do not walk in with a specific goal, events like this can sharpen your thinking. A single honest conversation can help you reframe a challenge, validate a decision, or introduce you to someone who changes the trajectory of your next step. Practical Details This is an in-person event in New York, USA taking place on Tuesday, September 9 at 5:00 PM EDT. The early evening timing makes it well suited for people who want to come after the workday and connect in a setting that feels social but still professionally relevant. Because the event is in person, it helps to arrive ready to engage. You do not need a perfect pitch, but you should be prepared to talk clearly about what you are working on, what kinds of people you are hoping to meet, and what conversations you are most interested in having. A few simple ways to get more out of the night: Come with a short, natural introduction to yourself and your work Be specific about your current focus, stage, or questions Leave room for genuine curiosity rather than trying to optimize every interaction Follow up afterward with the people you genuinely connected with If you value thoughtful rooms, founder-to-founder honesty, and a local community you can keep building with after one evening, Founders: Off the Record is worth making time for.
Who should attend
This is for people who want sharper conversations and stronger founder relationships than a typical mixer usually delivers. - You are a **founder or co-founder** who wants to meet peers in New York who understand the real pace, pressure, and ambiguity of building. - You are **early in the startup journey** and want honest, unfiltered conversations that help you learn faster than polished public advice can. - You are a **repeat founder or experienced operator** who values thoughtful community and wants to exchange perspective with others building in the same ecosystem. - You work closely with founders in a **startup, product, growth, or venture-adjacent role** and want to build more meaningful relationships within the community. - You are looking for **quality over volume**: fewer shallow intros, more conversations that could turn into future collaboration, advice, or trusted connections. - You enjoy events where you can show up as yourself, speak candidly, ask smart questions, and leave with a clearer sense of who you want to stay in touch with. If you want an in-person room where startup conversations can be more direct, useful, and human, you will likely feel at home here.