The MSIV NEXT 2025 conference took place on May 20 at Dominican University’s Angelico Hall in San Rafael — and I’m still thinking about it days later.

This wasn’t just another startup event. It felt personal and local, bringing together some of the most thoughtful, scrappy, and innovative minds from across Marin and Sonoma. If you’ve never been, NEXT is more than a conference — it’s a community of dreamers, doers, and builders who believe in the power of local innovation and aren’t afraid of the startup rollercoaster.

The Theme: Resilience — and We All Needed It

The 2025 theme, Startup Resilience, couldn’t have been more relevant. As someone building in this space, I’ve felt the pressure and the pivots. So hearing from founders who’ve made it through the fire — literally and figuratively — was both grounding and inspiring.

I was especially moved by John Mills, co-founder of Watch Duty, who shared how his emergency alert platform helped save lives during the L.A. wildfires. We also bonded over our mutual love of cars, which made the conversation all the more memorable.

Real Conversations with Real Founders

The day kicked off with a fireside chat with Allison Messner, who scaled Yardzen to acquisition. Her story was raw and honest — no fluff, just real insights from someone who’s been through the trenches. I especially resonated with her message about letting go of perfection: “The perfect is the enemy of the good.” That mindset — shipping, learning, and iterating — is something I took to heart.

Another standout was Amanda Kahlow, founder of 1mind, who’s using AI to completely reimagine sales. Her platform doesn’t just automate outreach — it merges the best qualities of multiple salespeople into one seamless, emotionally intelligent, and technically deep experience. With 1mind, sales becomes more human, consistent, and trust-driven. It’s a powerful vision for the future of B2B communication.

Founder Spotlight: Lindsay Meyer of GetMills.com

Over lunch, I sat down at Lindsay Meyer’s Q&A table and quickly understood why MILLS was featured in the showcase. Her bootstrapped startup is tackling a frustratingly familiar problem: bathroom remodeling. Most homeowners find the process confusing and stressful. Lindsay is simplifying it all — from design to contractor coordination — through a clean, digital-first experience.

What impressed me most was her clarity. With no outside funding, Lindsay and her team stay laser-focused on what customers actually want, constantly evolving the product through user feedback. It’s a model of scrappy, thoughtful entrepreneurship — and one I’ll be watching closely.

More Than Panels — It Was Connection

Beyond the sessions, the real magic of NEXT was the connection. From the startup showcases to the outdoor networking lunch, it was energizing to meet so many people building and investing in the North Bay. Rotating between founder tables, asking questions, and swapping stories reminded me why in-person community still matters.

Afternoon Wisdom from Veteran Founders

The afternoon keynotes offered real talk and real takeaways:

  • Mike Lewis shared 20 years’ worth of startup lessons — the kind you don’t read about on TechCrunch.
  • Shiri Avnery of Thistle spoke with grace about building a values-driven business.
  • And Joey Zwillinger, co-founder of Allbirds, closed the day with a refreshingly unfiltered look at going public — no hype, just hard-earned insight.

A North Bay Celebration to Remember

The reception on the Meadowlands Lawn was the perfect finale. Local vendors like Kiki Milk, Gut Nuts, Hot Drops, and Hey!Hunger brought the flavor, and conversations flowed late into the afternoon.

I especially enjoyed chatting with:

  • Andrew Whiting of Hot Drops, whose mission blends bold flavors with sustainability and community storytelling.
  • Alexandra Bertholet of Voyager Milk, who’s making milk access for toddlers easy and simple.

These founder chats reminded me: it’s not just the ideas that make NEXT special — it’s the people.

Our Takeaway? Resilience Isn’t a Buzzword

Resilience is showing up after your MVP flops. It’s pitching when you’re not sure anyone’s listening. It’s building the thing no one else will — because you know it matters. That spirit was everywhere at MSIV NEXT 2025, and it reminded me why we do what we do.

Final Thought

NEXT reminded me that while startups can be isolating, especially in quieter ecosystems like Marin and Sonoma, we’re not alone. There’s a committed, creative community right here — building, connecting, and lifting each other up.

I’m already looking forward to NEXT 2026.

Let’s Keep the Conversation Going

If you’re building something meaningful — especially in AI, tech, or sustainability— let’s connect.

Whether you’re looking for a technical partner, executive coaching, or just someone to swap ideas with over coffee, we’re here for it.

Let’s build something amazing together!