Navigating Silicon Valley's Investment Climate Today

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Silicon Valley's tech landscape is rapidly changing, impacted by factors like rising interest rates and global economic uncertainties. Key questions arise: How is venture capital adapting? What economic indicators are VCs watching? Is investment shifting back to traditional sectors, or are AI and biotech still dominant? Is Silicon Valley's innovation hub status challenged by other regions? The future hinges on how the Valley adapts to new challenges, especially AI and automation's impact on startups and investment. What risks and opportunities lie ahead? We will talk about this and more on this exciting panel!

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Speaker Bios:

Imad Ansari, Managing Partner @ Edgewood Ventures

Imad is a seasoned entrepreneur and investor with a proven track record of working alongside founders to scale and optimize their businesses. With deep expertise in options trading, cryptocurrency, venture capital, fund management, and public markets, he provides strategic insights across diverse financial landscapes. As Head of Strategy for a fintech company, Imad played a pivotal role in shaping their go-to-market strategy, driving growth, and ensuring market readiness. His multifaceted experience, from capital allocation to public markets and innovative financial technologies, positions him as a trusted advisor in the entrepreneurial ecosystem.

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Syama Bunten, Principal @ Big Delta Capital

Syama Bunten is the Co-CEO of Big Delta Capital, a firm dedicated to empowering women to take control of their financial futures and drive change. She is the host of Getting Rich Together, a Top 100 investing podcast, and the creator of the Women & Wealth Catalyst Summit, a premier event designed to bridge the confidence gap in investing and wealth-building for women.

Register Now: Women & Wealth Catalyst Summit March 27th, Presidio San Francisco

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Donald Tucker, Head of Corporate Development & Investments @ Dropbox

Donald currently serves as the Head of Corporate Development and Ventures at Dropbox. In this role he oversees M&A activities and has also spearheaded the launch of Dropbox Ventures, a $50 million fund focusing on early-stage AI investments. Prior to joining Dropbox, Donald held senior roles within the Corporate Development functions at DocuSign and Cisco Systems, where he led over 20 acquisitions and divestitures totaling over $5 billion in value.

Donald's career also includes experiences as an equity research analyst at Jefferies, as well as a private equity analyst for Liberty Mutual Investments. In addition to his roles within these companies, he has served as a board member and observer for several early-stage startups. Donald holds an MBA from the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania and a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from California Polytechnic University, San Luis Obispo.

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Angely Ty, Audit Partner @ Cohn Reznick - Moderator

Angela (or Angie) is a leader in the Bay Area Alternative Investments industry and specializes in accounting and reporting issues impacting private fund managers. Angela has spent nearly 20 years providing insights on technical matters & industry trends, in addition to supporting clients on capacity and capabilities challenges impacting asset managers in their back office.

Angela is an audit partner at CohnReznick in their Financial Services Group specializing in venture capital, private equity, hedge funds, private debt and hybrids. She is leading efforts on quality growth and bringing value-add thought leadership and events to the Bay Area market. Prior to joining CohnReznick in January 2025, Angela spent most of her career at KPMG and Rothstein Kaas.

Angela is President-Elect for the California Alternatives Investments Association (CalAlts) and is a board member of Project Glimmer and Safe & Sound. She is a member of UC Berkeley’s Center for Financial Reporting and Management Advisory Board and holds a Bachelor’s of Science degree in Business Administration from Haas School of Business at UC Berkeley.

Angela has dedicated time to accelerating diversity efforts both internally and externally through various roles in BRGs, ALPFA, LBSA and other organizations. Angela enjoys participating in speaking opportunities, including industry panels and leadership conferences. She was also a part of the 2020 SF Business Times Most Influential Women in Bay Area Business list recognizing women business leaders in the Bay Area.