Sponsored by Legacy Sponsor: The City of Phoenix
Join DRIPBL at Venture Café Phoenix for an engaging conversation on how our community can inspire, mentor, and empower the next generation of innovators. Discover how students are transforming real-world challenges into research, inventions, startups, and meaningful impact—and learn how educators, entrepreneurs, researchers, investors, and industry leaders can play a role in that journey.
Whether you're looking to mentor young innovators, collaborate on research, support STEM education, or build partnerships, this is an opportunity to connect with like-minded changemakers and help shape the future of innovation—starting in the classroom and extending into the startup ecosystem. Come network, collaborate, and explore how you can work with DRIPBL and VENTURE CAFE to build Arizona's innovation pipeline, one student at a time.
This LEGO® Serious Play® workshop is designed for business leaders seeking innovative decision-making approaches through hands-on building and storytelling. The neuroscience-based method combines analytical thinking with intuition, using 3D models and metaphors to help participants discover authentic solutions during pivotal organizational moments. You'll build models representing your challenges, share stories through your creations, and connect with fellow participants in new ways. This immersive experience unlocks innovation and hidden insights by tapping into knowledge you didn't know you had. No special skills required—just bring curiosity and experience how simple bricks can unlock extraordinary ideas through serious fun.
Arrive early for your chance to connect with Jane Sorenson Herthel, Founder of MC5 Advisory. Meeti with Jane to discuss fundamentals that make sales repeatable and sharepning your value proposition.
Mentor Hours meetings begin at 4:30pm and run in 15-minute slots
Please note: Mentor Hours are first come first served and must be done on-site at the event. A sign-up sheet will be located at the room where the mentor is stationed, so be sure to stop by early to secure your spot.
In partnership with Resolution Resource Group
Arrive early for your chance to connect with Kathleen Celmins, founder of boomp.net and Marketing Speciality for Venture Café Phoenix. If ChatGPT or Claude gives you generic answers, the problem isn't your prompt — it's that the tool knows nothing about your business. Bring your laptop and we'll set up the context it's missing, so every answer after that one is sharper. Good for anyone already using AI and quietly disappointed in it.
Mentor Hours meetings begin at 4:30pm and run in 15-minute slots
Please note: Mentor Hours are first come first served and must be done on-site at the event. A sign-up sheet will be located at the room where the mentor is stationed, so be sure to stop by early to secure your spot.
In partnership with Resolution Resource Group
Explore leading without feeling like you have to push everything forward yourself, with more room to think and enjoy what you're building. You love your work, but you make a decision and keep going back to whether you got it right, or, because you care, you answer everyone's emails and requests while your own work waits. See what becomes possible with the right support in a live demonstration of leadership and teamwork, and learn a one-minute practice to get grounded before you respond or decide.
In Partnership with: Alimental Business Partners and Resolution Resource Group
Whether you're attending for the first time or looking to get more involved, this orientation is the perfect place to begin. Learn what Venture Café Phoenix is all about, discover the content and networking opportunities available each week, and explore how to make the most of your experience. We'll share tips for building meaningful connections, navigating the Thursday Gathering, engaging with the community, and finding the people, programs, and resources that can help you achieve your goals. Come ready to ask questions, meet fellow newcomers, and leave feeling confident about making Venture Café part of your innovation journey.
How do we move students beyond learning about innovation to actually becoming innovators? This session introduces the DRIPBL™ (Dream, Research, Innovate, Problem/Project-Based Learning) methodology, a research and innovation framework that transforms student ideas into authentic research, inventions, publications, patents, and entrepreneurial ventures. Participants will explore how educators, universities, industry partners, mentors, and investors can help create an ecosystem where students move from classroom curiosity to research to innovation to real-world impact to startup opportunities.
Sponsored by Legacy Sponsor: The City of Phoenix
Join DRIPBL at Venture Café Phoenix for an engaging conversation on how our community can inspire, mentor, and empower the next generation of innovators. Discover how students are transforming real-world challenges into research, inventions, startups, and meaningful impact—and learn how educators, entrepreneurs, researchers, investors, and industry leaders can play a role in that journey.
Whether you're looking to mentor young innovators, collaborate on research, support STEM education, or build partnerships, this is an opportunity to connect with like-minded changemakers and help shape the future of innovation—starting in the classroom and extending into the startup ecosystem. Come network, collaborate, and explore how you can work with DRIPBL and VENTURE CAFE to build Arizona's innovation pipeline, one student at a time.
This LEGO® Serious Play® workshop is designed for business leaders seeking innovative decision-making approaches through hands-on building and storytelling. The neuroscience-based method combines analytical thinking with intuition, using 3D models and metaphors to help participants discover authentic solutions during pivotal organizational moments. You'll build models representing your challenges, share stories through your creations, and connect with fellow participants in new ways. This immersive experience unlocks innovation and hidden insights by tapping into knowledge you didn't know you had. No special skills required—just bring curiosity and experience how simple bricks can unlock extraordinary ideas through serious fun.
Arrive early for your chance to connect with Jane Sorenson Herthel, Founder of MC5 Advisory. Meeti with Jane to discuss fundamentals that make sales repeatable and sharepning your value proposition.
Mentor Hours meetings begin at 4:30pm and run in 15-minute slots
Please note: Mentor Hours are first come first served and must be done on-site at the event. A sign-up sheet will be located at the room where the mentor is stationed, so be sure to stop by early to secure your spot.
In partnership with Resolution Resource Group
Arrive early for your chance to connect with Kathleen Celmins, founder of boomp.net and Marketing Speciality for Venture Café Phoenix. If ChatGPT or Claude gives you generic answers, the problem isn't your prompt — it's that the tool knows nothing about your business. Bring your laptop and we'll set up the context it's missing, so every answer after that one is sharper. Good for anyone already using AI and quietly disappointed in it.
Mentor Hours meetings begin at 4:30pm and run in 15-minute slots
Please note: Mentor Hours are first come first served and must be done on-site at the event. A sign-up sheet will be located at the room where the mentor is stationed, so be sure to stop by early to secure your spot.
In partnership with Resolution Resource Group
Explore leading without feeling like you have to push everything forward yourself, with more room to think and enjoy what you're building. You love your work, but you make a decision and keep going back to whether you got it right, or, because you care, you answer everyone's emails and requests while your own work waits. See what becomes possible with the right support in a live demonstration of leadership and teamwork, and learn a one-minute practice to get grounded before you respond or decide.
In Partnership with: Alimental Business Partners and Resolution Resource Group
Whether you're attending for the first time or looking to get more involved, this orientation is the perfect place to begin. Learn what Venture Café Phoenix is all about, discover the content and networking opportunities available each week, and explore how to make the most of your experience. We'll share tips for building meaningful connections, navigating the Thursday Gathering, engaging with the community, and finding the people, programs, and resources that can help you achieve your goals. Come ready to ask questions, meet fellow newcomers, and leave feeling confident about making Venture Café part of your innovation journey.
How do we move students beyond learning about innovation to actually becoming innovators? This session introduces the DRIPBL™ (Dream, Research, Innovate, Problem/Project-Based Learning) methodology, a research and innovation framework that transforms student ideas into authentic research, inventions, publications, patents, and entrepreneurial ventures. Participants will explore how educators, universities, industry partners, mentors, and investors can help create an ecosystem where students move from classroom curiosity to research to innovation to real-world impact to startup opportunities.