Silicon Valley Private Circle: an Event in a Church and a Hike for Entrepreneurs In October 2024, we held the 45th Bootcamp in Silicon Valley. After each Bootcamp, we organize an event inviting all program participants. These events help expand networks and foster deeper integration into the Silicon Valley community. At the end of October, we organized the Silicon Valley Private Circle—a unique gathering held in a former church building, followed by a group hike along the ocean coast the next day. In this article, SFIH founder Ruslan Gafarov shares insights on the meeting with entrepreneurs in Silicon Valley. Ruslan Gafarov, founder of the San Francisco Innovation Hub in Silicon Valley On Sunday, October 20, we met at 906 Broadway in San Francisco, in a former church building now used as an event space, unrelated to religion. We gathered top-tier entrepreneurs here. There were no random attendees; each invitee had been carefully selected. Most were participants of our Bootcamp or individuals planning to join one of the upcoming programs. We started with a presentation of our first circle of community members, and the advisors who assisted in the 45th Bootcamp shared insights about the community’s significance and why they’re with us. Then, we divided people into groups of 10, assigned a task that encouraged them to get acquainted, and let them complete this exercise. After the exercise, we held a panel discussion on what community means and how it functions. We also recognized community leaders who made a significant contribution to its growth over the past year. Leonard Graiver then spoke, sharing 10 critical mistakes often made when starting a business in America. After his presentation, we held another panel discussion on business hacks and failures in the U.S., followed by Nikolay Davydov, who discussed the latest trends in artificial intelligence. We then organized a mastermind session: in each group, participants first selected a problem they wanted to solve collectively, then brainstormed ideas and shared experiences on how to address it. Around 8 p.m., the chief of the Yawanawa tribe from Brazil arrived. He and his daughter performed a traditional song of their people for us. After that, we held a charity auction to support the Yawanawa tribe, raising over ten thousand dollars. Then, the informal part of the evening began. We turned on music, created a nightclub atmosphere, and spent time together in a warm, friendly setting. Hike at Half Moon Bay in Silicon Valley Before the pandemic, we lived in the heart of Silicon Valley, and I often went to Half Moon Bay for walks and meetings. So, on Monday, October 21, at 11 a.m., I invited all participants of our Silicon Valley Private Circle to meet at Half Moon Bay to show them my favorite trails. I believe it’s one of the most beautiful places on Earth. We walked about 15,000 steps, stopped at the Ritz-Carlton hotel for lunch, and connected in small groups. After lunch, we took a brief walk through some beautiful spots, and in the evening, we headed to my home, where we played ‘Spy.’ Over these 9 days, I realized that we are on the right track. People resonate with what we’re doing and want more of it If you feel compelled to join one of our upcoming events, leave your contact information on the Bootcamp website, and we will get in touch with you shortly APPLY NOW
