For the past three years, Bonfire Ventures has had the pleasure of hosting an exclusive afterparty in celebration of Day 1 of the Upfront Summit. Each year, we aim to elevate the experience and match the vibrancy of the summit itself, and this year we reached new heights.
Upfront Summit 2024 set a new benchmark, with a star-studded lineup of speakers featuring Lady Gaga, Katy Perry, Melinda Gates, Tracy Ellis Ross, Cameron Diaz, and Novak Djokovic. The broad and timely topics included clean beauty and transparency in products, the burgeoning market of non-alcoholic aperitifs, “blind resumes” and the necessity of diversifying funding for underrepresented innovators, and of course, the inevitable integration of AI agents into our daily lives. This by-invitation gathering reinforced its reputation as a cornerstone event for the venture capital and LP community, and indeed, for the entire Los Angeles area.
Embracing our role as hosts of this select gathering, we took great care to mirror Upfront Summit's polished allure while infusing a laid-back, quintessential West Coast vibe. Set against the backdrop of LA's dazzling skyline, we transformed the London Hotel rooftop into an enchanting forest, designed to transport guests to the intimate ambiance of a bonfire gathering. Surrounded by lush greenery, guests enjoyed campfire s'mores and artisanal hot toddies, reconnecting and unwinding in good company. The space buzzed with the energy of industry leaders, each contributing to the mosaic that forms our close-knit and dynamic community—a community we take great pride in bringing together.
Our hearts are full of appreciation for our colleagues, neighbors, and friends at Upfront Ventures, Mark Suster, Kerry Bennett, Lacey Hulsey, and their exceptional team. Thank you for organizing what is undeniably the premier summit in Los Angeles year after year, and for the chance to play a small part in such a vibrant and forward-thinking collective.
Our gratitude is also due to our amazing sponsors—Gunderson Dettmer, Stifel Bank, Propeller Industries, Justworks, Countsy, Zendesk, and Aduro Advisors. Their invaluable support demonstrates a commitment to nurturing a sense of community and innovation within the tech and VC industries.
Looking ahead to next year, we're already brimming with excitement for the surprises we have in store.
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