Things to do

Professional

Coworking, founder meetups, industry nights. Networking without the name tags.

Pick your thing

Networking, Founders and startups, Coworking, Industry meetup, Mastermind group, Job search group, Side project night and Pitch practice.

NetworkingSmall tables instead of big rooms. Real introductions, no badges.
Founders and startupsFounder dinners, demo nights, build-in-public sessions.
CoworkingHeads-down hours at a cafe or library, lunch together at noon.
Industry meetupDesigners, engineers, marketers, nurses, teachers. Your field, your people.
Mastermind groupA small group that meets regularly, shares goals and holds each other to them.
Job search groupSwap leads, practice interviews and keep each other going. Job hunting is easier in a group.
Side project nightTwo hours of heads down work on the thing you care about, then a quick show and tell.
Pitch practicePractice your pitch on a small, friendly room and get notes you can use tomorrow.

Why it works here

Meeting people in your field works better at a small table than in a big room. Paying to join keeps the table full of people who came to talk.

Small tables instead of a crowd, a round of real introductions, and no pitching unless somebody asks.

No professional plans on the board yet.

Keep it small, give it a theme, and do the introductions yourself so nobody has to work the room.

Keep it small, give it a theme, and do the introductions yourself so nobody has to work the room.