This Valentine’s season, Venture Cafe is all about making connections that matter — in love, ideas, and career growth. Join Bolia Matundu (BM), Executive Producer of Pop the Balloon or Find Love, for a fireside chat with Rashad as he shares why Phoenix stole his heart, the realities of building a hit show, and a sneak peek at what’s next for the franchise.
The evening will also celebrate the launch of the exclusive Venture Cafe Mentorship Network, designed to connect ambitious professionals with top mentors for guidance, insight, and opportunity. Whether you’re looking for inspiration from the screen or meaningful connections for your career, this night promises engaging conversation, community, and a little Valentine’s magic.
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.
Join us for “Maximizing the Power of Influencer Marketing: Partnering with Creators to Boost Toy Brand Awareness,” an insightful session designed to help toy and game brands build authentic connections and reach wider audiences through influencer collaborations. Discover how to identify the right creators for your niche, craft win-win partnerships, and develop campaigns that truly engage parents, kids, and gift buyers. Learn practical strategies for measuring ROI, managing collaborations, and scaling your influencer marketing efforts effectively. Whether you’re new to influencer marketing or looking to elevate your existing strategy, this webinar will give you actionable insights to grow your brand presence and credibility. Don’t miss your chance to learn from real examples and data-backed approaches that drive results.
The objective of this presentation is to make KPIs not so complicated. We will be discussing actionable metrics.
I will be speaking on how to make Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) that are relevant to your business and to the employees. Many people are intimidated by them because of how they are presented. I will show how KPIs are educational, informative and are a natural way of knowing your business. It is very important to share the KPIs with the entire team.
Arrive early to Venture Café Phoenix for your chance to connect with Jospeh Price, Founder of Inentional Achievements, to gain insights on intentional leadership, strategic planning, decision-making, communication and building practical systems for sustainable growth. 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.
Arrive early to Venture Café Phoenix for your chance to connect with Jessica Carr, Owner of BeOn Brand Media to gain insights on how to create and stay on brand with your marekting. 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.
Venture Café Phoenix is launching the VCPHX Mentorship Network—a new initiative designed to elevate how founders and industry leaders connect across Arizona’s entrepreneurial ecosystem. Join us to learn more about the vision behind the program, how it will create meaningful, high-impact connections, and what to expect as applications open. This is the first look at a mentorship experience built with intention, quality, and long-term impact in mind.
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Join us for a Fireside Chat with the creative mind behind Pop the Balloon or Find Love, the viral dating phenomenon turned Netflix show. We will ask BM questions about why Phoenix became the backdrop for one of today’s buzziest dating formats. From grassroots YouTube origins to a live Netflix adaptation hosted by Yvonne Orji, we’ll unpack what it takes to build culture‑shifting entertainment and the highs and lows of bringing a local idea to global screens. Learn about the challenges BM's team faced, the support they need from the community, and what Phoenix means to their journey. Stick around for a special tease of what’s next in their world (hint: a game‑changing dating app that’s coming soon).






