Emergent Logo

Emergent

Tech Startup Conference

Brown University

April 18, 2026

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Tickets sold out in <30 minutes this year!

About Emergent

Our Mission

Inspiring the next generation of tech entrepreneurs through connecting students with industry leaders and innovators in the AI startup ecosystem.

What to Expect

Experience a full day of engaging keynote speeches, interactive panels, hands-on workshops, and valuable networking opportunities with successful AI startup founders and industry experts.

Who Should Attend

Students passionate about AI entrepreneurship, aspiring founders, and anyone looking to make their mark in the rapidly evolving AI startup ecosystem. Join us to learn, connect, and innovate.

Schedule

8:00 AM

Check-In & Breakfast

9:00 AM

keynote

Opening Keynote: Cory Levy, Founder of Z Fellows

Opening Keynote: Cory Levy, Founder of Z Fellows

Cory Levy is the founder of Z Fellows, a fellowship that offers $10,000 to builders (alums include Cluely, Whop, Posh). He co-founded After School, a teen social network with ~20M users that was acquihired by Ancestry. Cory is a Forbes 30 Under 30 alum who interned at Founders Fund and Union Square Ventures while still in high school.

10:00 AM

panel

Storytelling & AI

Storytelling & AI

AI is changing how stories are told: how content is created, distributed, and experienced. The Storytelling & AI panel will explore those using AI in their creative practice, those building AI tools for storytelling, and those reporting on AI's broader impact on culture and society.

10:00 AM

panel

A New Path: Traditional Careers to Startups

A New Path: Traditional Careers to Startups

Many students believe there is a single, linear path into the tech industry. The Traditional Careers to Startups panel is designed to demystify the transition into startups by exploring the decision-making processes, challenges, and turning points that shaped each speaker's journey.

11:00 AM

panel

The AI Stack: From Chip to Chatbot

The AI Stack: From Chip to Chatbot

Everyone's talking about AI, but students rarely get to see the full picture laid out end to end. Each stage of the pipeline involves different expertise and problems, all of which remain largely ambiguous to students. The Chip to Chatbot panel maps the full AI pipeline by placing experts from each stage of the stack in direct conversation with one another.

12:00 PM

Lunch & Startup Speed-Dating (Career Fair)

Lunch doubles as a fast-paced career fair: founders and early-stage startups set up tables across the Nelson Center, and attendees rotate through short, back-to-back conversations. Come with questions and a one-line intro, and leave with internships, full-time leads, and warm intros.

2:00 PM

workshop

How to Build in the Attention Economy

Taylor Hughes (CTO, Hypernatural) runs a hands-on workshop on building products that earn attention in a feed-first world.

2:00 PM

workshop

How to Spot the Next Unicorn

Elyas Tecle (Startups GTM, Google Cloud) walks through the signals operators and investors use to identify breakout companies early. A practical frame for evaluating teams, markets, and product pull, whether you're an aspiring founder, early employee, or future investor.

2:00 PM

workshop

Ask Me Anything: Cory Levy

Didn't get a chance to ask Cory your burning questions during his keynote? This is your chance!

3:00 PM

panel

The Next 100: Deep Tech & Superintelligence

The Next 100: Deep Tech & Superintelligence

The most important technologies of the next decade — in space, energy, neuro/biotech, and robotics — are being built right now. The Deep Tech panel brings together practitioners from across the frontier of science and technology for a conversation about building at the edge.

4:00 PM

keynote

Closing Keynote: John Sculley, Former CEO of Apple

Closing Keynote: John Sculley, Former CEO of Apple

John Sculley is one of America's most iconic business leaders. As the youngest-ever CEO of PepsiCo, he pioneered the Pepsi Challenge and the two-liter bottle. Recruited by Steve Jobs in 1983, he served as CEO of Apple for a decade. He went on to co-found Zeta Global and currently serves as Chairman and CMO of RxAdvance.

Featuring Speakers From

Accelerain
Alsym Energy
Anthropic
Atlantic Vantage Point
AWS
Cerebras
Deepgram
Eudia
Google
Hypernatural
InstaLILY
Intel
Lightmatter
Lila Sciences
Lumnis
Majestic Labs AI
Mappa
Norm AI
Parloa
Precision Neuroscience
Travelers
Waymo
Z Fellows

Proudly Sponsored By

Hypernatural
Clay
Majestic Labs AI
Brown University Office of the Provost
Reddit
RI Hub

Food Sponsors

Chick-fil-A
Culture Pop
Dunkin'
East Side Pockets
Flatbread Company
Heng Thai & Rotisserie
Kabob & Curry
Maven's Delicatessen
Red Bull
Rip Van
Waterman Grille

Merch Sponsor

Wayo

FAQ

Emergent registration is open to the public. In the past, students from Brown University and schools across the Northeast have attended, as well as industry professionals and community members.

We may have spots available at the door - so it's worth a try! In the meantime, you can sign up for the waitlist to be notified if any tickets become available.

Emergent is completely free, including amazing talks, networking with speakers, food, swag, and a wonderful community!

Please email us at info@emergentconference.org and we'll get back to you as soon as possible. We'd love to explore a partnership!

Have another question?

We're here for you! Shoot us an email at info@emergentconference.org.

Meet the Team

Karsten Assoua
Karsten Assoua
Rishi Gottimukkala
Rishi Gottimukkala
Malin Leven
Malin Leven
Everett Mokarow
Everett Mokarow
Jameel Saeb
Jameel Saeb
Hadley Carr
Hadley Carr
Akshay Irudayaraj
Akshay Irudayaraj
Alex Mazansky
Alex Mazansky
Sami Nourji
Sami Nourji
A.J. Shulman
A.J. Shulman