🥐 Fresh from the oven
early-stage finds, founder notes & thoughtful crumbs worth your time
Why this section exists
“It’s hard to tell which events are actually worth it.”
— Every founder, ever
There’s a lot of noise out there. This section was made to sift through it — carefully and intentionally.
Everything shared here — from events and reads to tools and resources — is either something I’ve attended or tested myself, or something I’ve seen truly move the needle for early-stage founders, especially those working in design, product, or real-time tech.
If it’s listed here, it’s something I’d send to a founder I’m working with.
Because nothing rises well in a cluttered kitchen — and your time and energy deserve better.
— The baker-in-chief, @LeavenLab
🧁 Baker’s debrief #3: decoding the startup ecosystem, from maps to the inside scoop
A founder’s guide to decoding the startup ecosystem — from VCs and accelerators to studios and fellowships. Featuring real insights from women founders who’ve been through YC, SkyDeck, StartX, and Founders Inc., plus what they wish the next generation knew before jumping in.
📅 Calendar sprinkles #2: what’s heating up this June(global pitch)
The summer is shaping up to be a global pitch runway — with stages lighting up from Paris to Hong Kong to Kyoto. In this round of Calendar Sprinkles, we’re spotlighting three standout gatherings that blend storytelling, venture energy, and cross-border momentum — all hand-picked with early-stage founders in mind.
🍞 Bread from the breadcrumbs #1: agents, energy, and embodiment: crumbs from TechCrunch AI today
From vertical agents to power-hungry data centers, the latest crumbs from TechCrunch Sessions AI Today reveal where the AI stack is quietly reshaping itself — and why the most interesting startups aren’t always chasing scale, but shape.
🧁 Baker’s debrief #2: how to pitch without sounding like a pitch
A live pitch doesn’t have to sound like one. In this debrief, we recap our May 30 workshop with EchoHer—covering storytelling structure, founder blunders, and the simple tools every early-stage team should have ready. Featuring two live pitches, real-time feedback, and a peek inside the making of Ryme, our AI sous chef for pitch practice.
📅 Calendar sprinkles #1: what’s heating up this June(US, AI)
June is packed with high-signal events for founders, from AI summits in San Francisco to curated voice tech dinners in NYC. In this round of Calendar Sprinkles, we’re sharing a hand-picked list of gatherings focused on pitching, real-time voice, and early-stage innovation — all curated with founders in mind.
🧁 Baker’s debrief #1: finding the right co-founder isn’t a checklist
It turns out co-founder fit isn’t a checklist — it’s a conversation.
In this Baker’s Debrief, we reflect on what founders really need to align on, the questions they’re afraid to ask, and five hard-earned tips from our latest workshop.
🧁 Fresh picks from the kitchen
Whether you're pitching, learning, or just browsing for your next big step — these are the events we’d RSVP to ourselves.
Updated biweekly, curated with care by the baker-in-chief.
✨ Some events come with special discount codes or insider access — these are shared through our [🧺perks pantry] or in the newsletter.