STAK VENTURES: Speaker Series - VIP Lunch & Learn with Isabelle Johannessen and Alicia Castillo Holley

​You’re invited to the STAK Ventures Speaker Series — a VIP Lunch &

​Learn hosted at the iconic 1900 Broadway Tower in Oakland. Every 2 weeks we will be featuring an new guest speaker!

​Join us for a high-impact afternoon of connection, conversation, and community as we welcome two visionary venture capitalists shaping the future of innovation:

​Isabelle Johannessen is the Head of the Startup Battlefield Program at TechCrunch and is currently on the hunt for cutting-edge startups to feature on stage at TechCrunch Disrupt (october 27-29). The Startup Battlefield program is TechCrunch’s premier early-stage launch competition, for which Isabelle is responsible for sourcing and selecting 200 of the most newsworthy startups in the world, every year. She then works with each of the 200 companies to refine their pitches and prepare them for the pitch of a lifetime where they will compete for $100,000 equity-free prize money, a feature launch article on TechCrunch.com, the attention of investors and worldwide press, customers, and the Disrupt Cup trophy.

​Prior to joining TechCrunch, Isabelle managed a San Francisco based accelerator, with the mission of bringing international startups to silicon valley from countries like Japan, South Korea, Italy and Spain. She has worked with thousands of startups to help them secure funding and customers, but she is particularly passionate about working with women founders. Isabelle’s work has been recognized by the World Trade Organization for an acceleration program she initiated and managed to bring women founders from Spain to the US, which one the International Prize for Gender Equality in Trade.

​Alicia Castillo Holley, PhD, is an experienced investor, entrepreneur, and educator with a strong focus on venture capital and high-impact entrepreneurship. A bShe has invested in over 90 companies and a dozen VC funds, specializing in life sciences, climate, and disruptive technologies. After 3 decades as investor, she is developing a disruptive model for Venture Capital allowing accredited investors and family offices access to highly vetted deals that stand out with her proprietary due diligence and post-investment process.

​Some of her most known quotes include:

​“As investors, we don’t invest and pray, or prey”

​“As investors, we don’t change diapers”

​“Some things take time, you can’t take 9 women and a month and make a baby”.

​She has lived in several countries morphing from a biotech scholar to entrepreneur, investor, and philanthropist. With a PhD in Finance and Entrepreneurship from the University of Western Australia, an MBA from Babson College, a Master of Science and Engineering degree from the Universidad Central de Venezuela. She has played a key role in fostering global entrepreneurial ecosystems and financial literacy programs.

​🌟 What to Expect:

​🍽️ A relaxed lunch with fellow founders, investors, and ecosystem leaders

​🤝 Curated networking and high-impact introductions to help you move the needle

​🎤 A 30-minute speaker session with live Q&A, moderated by Brian Sparkes

​🚀 Insightful conversations on venture capital, innovation, and industry transformation

​🚗 Secured parking in the heart of Uptown Oakland

​📍 Location:
1920 Broadway, 2nd Floor, Oakland, CA 94612

​🅿️ Driving Instructions:
🚗 Parking: Please use our designated garage at 410 19th Street. Or the secured parking across the street on 19th at the Franklin Plaza Garage

​🚇 Taking BART?
Exit at 19th St/Oakland—the building is directly outside the station.

​🎟️ Seats are limited—RSVP now to secure your spot.
For questions or day-of needs, text me directly: 408-992-5043

​Let’s spark the next wave of innovation—right here in Oakland.

Location
STAK Space – 1900 Broadway
1920 Broadway, Oakland, CA 94612, USA