6 months ago

NEW: Past winners raised funding. Will you? (Access $200M in VC)

Hi RAG-a-thoners - Now Provers!

This fall, Proving Ground + Snowflake bring 150+ builders together to prove what’s real in AI.
Past Sprint winners are now backed by 500 Global, raising rounds, and shipping fast.

👉 Apply Now

No long application. Just show up ready to build and prove it!

Two tracks → one goal: validation.

Discovery Track: Turn your idea into a working MVP in 72 hours.
Startup Track: Already building? Ship a new feature under pressure and get judged on what really matters.

Oct 17–19 • Snowflake HQ, Menlo Park

👉 Apply Now

No long application. Just…

12 months ago

NEW: Reg for Agentic Startup Hack-a-thon today

Hi RAG-a-thoners!

Our Spring hackathon is here!. We are bringing together the startup curious folks with the startup serious folks.

Check it out here: https://agentic-rag-a-thon.devpost.com/

Some stats from our last RAG-a-thon and why we're in the midst of the perfect storm for startup creation:

From our last two hackathons:
- 100% of engineers & operators we surveyed said YES—they want a structured startup-focused hackathon.
- 81.5% are VERY interested in transitioning from a hackathon participant to a founder.
- 92.6% want a network post-event to keep going.

But here’s the problem:

- Most startup-curious builders never get a real chance…

12 months ago

NEW: AGENTIC STARTUP HACK-A-THON ANNOUNCEMENT

Hi RAG-a-thoners!

I'm delighted to announce our Spring hackathon is here!. This one is TOTALLY different -- we are bringing together the startup curious folks with the startup serious folks.

Check it out here: https://agentic-rag-a-thon.devpost.com/

We're in the midst of the perfect storm for startup creation:

- Massive untapped enterprise talent
- A broken startup system
- And of course, AI

We have two tracks:
1. new and existing ideas
2. pre-seed startups.

Check it out here: https://agentic-rag-a-thon.devpost.com/

Questions?

Email me: mark@futureproofsv.com

12 months ago

NEW: AGENTIC STARTUP HACK-A-THON ANNOUNCEMENT

Hi RAG-a-thoners!

I'm delighted to announce our Spring hackathon is here!. This one is TOTALLY different -- we are bringing together the startup curious folks with the startup serious folks.

Check it out here: https://agentic-rag-a-thon.devpost.com/

We're in the midst of the perfect storm for startup creation:

We have two tracks, 1. new and existing ideas 2. pre-seed startups.

Check it out here: https://agentic-rag-a-thon.devpost.com/

Questions?

Email me: mark@futureproofsv.com

over 1 year ago

Startup Curious Hack-a-thon Series [Interest Survey]

Hey RAG-a-thoners!

I'm launching a hackathon series targeting "startup curious" professionals (yes, it's a goofy term, but it sticks!). Here's my thesis: There's incredible untapped potential among talented professionals who can't just quit their jobs to pursue startup dreams.
Sound like you? I'd love your thoughts on this.
Help Shape the Future of AI Startups!
Your input on this survey will help us design a hackathon that bridges the gap between AI side projects and full-fledged startups: LINK: https://forms.gle/heDhLwT9LmyJi2b97 Thank you, Mark

Questions?

If you have any questions about the hackathon, please post on the discussion forum…

over 1 year ago

Please fill out our survey; very helpful for the next hackathon

Hi all RAG-a-thoners,

If you attended the hackathon in-person or remotely, we would greatly appreciate your feedback.

Google survey: https://forms.gle/X7C1ctpT1fjucZpV8

We would like to produce more events like this, it's a great opportunity to tell us what your experience was like. I.e., what you liked, what we can do to improve and any other comments you have for us.

Thank you!

Mark

Questions?

If you have any questions about the hackathon, please post on the discussion forum.

over 1 year ago

And the winner is...

The judges have weighed in, and we're excited to share the news! Go to the AGENTIC RAG-A-THON gallery to congratulate the winners and check out all of the awesome submissions.

Even though the competition is over, you don't have to stop coding. Update your portfolio to inform your followers about new projects and get feedback from fellow hackers.

Questions?

If you have any questions about the hackathon, please post on the discussion forum.

over 1 year ago

IMPORTANT: We are sold-out! See registration update

Hi everyone,

We wanted let you know that the RAG-a-thon is SOLD OUT!

To ensure your entry please do the following:

Location: 500 Global

400 Hamilton Ave, Palo Alto, CA.

Note: If you're attending the pre-event workshop, there's no need to register again for the main event. One registration covers both.

See you tomorrow!!!!

Mark

over 1 year ago

12:30pm, Friday's Agentic RAG workshop (be on time, please)

Hi all,

Thank you to the many folks who have double confirmed your registration and for those who haven't, you can still join the event early at the Agentic RAG workshop, Friday.

Please also note that over 95% of you signed up for the pre-event workshop. As a reminder, it starts at 12:30pm at the main venue. (400 Hamilton Ave).

As a side note, we expect to hit event capacity by evening. Joining the workshop guarentees your spot at the event. I.e., first come, first served. :)

Contact me if you have any questions.

Thank you,

Mark

Questions?

If you…

over 1 year ago

IMPORTANT: Action Required - Confirm Attendance (In-Person)

Hi RAG-a-thoners,

We’re excited to welcome you to the Agentic RAG-a-thon starting next Friday, October 11th at 6pm in Palo Alto, CA!

For In-Person Participants:

To help us finalize preparations, please confirm your attendance by replying:

“Yes, I’ll be there!”
Or, if your plans have changed, “Unable to attend.”

Please respond by 10/9/24 to help us ensure an accurate headcount. Your prompt reply is greatly appreciated!

Important Entry Information for In-Person Attendees:

We’ll be welcoming in-person registrants on a first come, first served basis starting at 6pm. Please arrive on time or early to secure your spot. While we’ve accounted…

over 1 year ago

RAG-a-thon -- confirmation and team formation (it's next week.)

Hi everyone,

We're just over a week away from the in-person RAG-a-thon. Two things we need you to do ASAP.

1. Make sure you're ready to go! Join us Oct 11 @ 6pm in Palo Alto

Hackathon address:
400 Hamilton Ave, Palo Alto, CA 94301

2. And just as important -- find your teammates now! Do this on our Devpost registration site.

https://rag-a-thon-2.devpost.com/

Please message each-other on the platform.

Questions? Ask me: mark@futureproofsv.com

Thanks and can't wait for the Agentic RAG-a-thon and to have you there!

Mark

Questions?

If you have any questions about the hackathon, please post on…