Lobby:Elevate

The Summit That Gets Founders Funded

Lobby:Elevate connects exceptional underrepresented founders with top-tier investors from firms like Lightspeed, Bessemer, and Precursor. In one intensive day, you’ll get the unfiltered feedback, insider knowledge, and investor relationships that most founders spend months trying to access.

Why It Works

Pitch Practice with Top VCs

Pitch sessions with investors in one afternoon. Get honest, actionable feedback you’d never receive in a traditional fundraising meeting.

Premium Experience, Serious Results

World-class venue at Carneros Resort & Spa in Napa Valley. This isn’t charity — it’s an investment in exceptional founders who deserve exceptional treatment.

Community That Lasts

Connect with fellow vetted founders at various stages. Learn from those ahead of you, mentor those behind you, and build relationships that extend far beyond fundraising.

Proven Track Record

+80% funding success rate within 12 months
Many alumni have raised from investors they met at the Summit
Founded by partners who’ve been in your shoes

Who You’ll Meet

Leading investors from premier firms join us at Lobby:Elevate to provide feedback and expertise. Past participants include:

What Past Founders Say

"This is probably one of the highest ROI things you could do in terms of instantly expanding your network of investors."

- Craig Lewis, Founder at Gigwage

"When you show up, you're walking into what you should expect as a founder—the best."

- Erica Plybeah, Founder at Medhaul

Upcoming Summits

Lobby:Elevate 2026 Female Founders Summit

September 15, 2026

Carneros Resort & Spa | Napa, CA

REQUEST AN INVITATION

Sample Schedule

Morning:

Community Building

Meet your cohort of exceptional founders
Pitch workshop and feedback sessions
Breakout sessions by stage/sector

Afternoon:

Pitch Practice

1:1 Pitch sessions with top VCs
Real-time feedback and coaching
Immediate follow-up opportunities

Evening:

Networking Reception

Mix and mingle with investors and founders
Continue conversation from the day
Build lasting relationships

8:00pm: Departures Most founders use this trip to book additional investor meetings throughout the week

Frequently Asked Questions

Exceptional founders who are raising or planning to raise institutional capital. Most attendees are in pre-seed through Series A stages.
While most attendees are building high-growth technology companies, we welcome exceptional founders across sectors who are raising institutional capital.
One day. Most founders arrive one to two days in advance for additional investor meetings and extend their Bay Area trip.
Applications are reviewed by our team. Most attendees are referred by investors, advisors, or past participants.
The registration fee includes meals, snacks, swag giveaways, and invaluable programming with leading VCs.

Please note that all Lobby:Elevate functions are for registered attendees only. Traveling companions will not be permitted at any function.
Many founders opt to stay with local connections in San Francisco or Palo Alto to keep costs down.
We offer round-trip transportation on the day of the Summit via shared shuttle from San Francisco at a discounted rate of $100. Please note that this is a group shuttle service, not a private car service. For any questions, feel free to reach out to elevate@thelobbyconference.com.
We have secured a block of discounted rooms at Carneros Resort & Spa, available at $895 a night. To make a reservation call (707) 299-4900 and be sure to mention you are with the Lobby:Elevate group. Rooms are limited and the discounted rate expires Monday, August 24, 2026.
Please find a list of other accommodations nearby the venue that may be less expensive. Nightly rates are for reference only, please confirm current rates directly with the hotel.
Best Western Plus Inn at The Vines(4.9 mi from venue)
100 Soscol Ave Napa, CA 94559
(707) 257-1930
Nightly rates starting at $160
Casa Mani Resort Napa Valley, Curio Collection by Hilton (4.9 mi from venue)
1075 California Blvd Napa, CA 94559
(707) 253-9540
Nightly rates starting at $450
Hotel Napa Valley(5 mi from Carneros)
1554 Polk St Napa, CA 94559
(707) 257-0476
Nightly rates starting at $210
Meritage Resort & Spa(5.7 mi from venue)
875 Bordeaux Way Napa, CA 94558
(866) 370-6272
Nightly rates starting at $495
Round-trip Transportation
We will be offering round-trip transportation via shared shuttle from Palo Alto and San Francisco at a discounted rate of $100. Please note that this is a group shuttle service on the day of the Summit, not a private car service. For any questions, feel free to reach out to elevate@thelobbyconference.com.
Air Travel
The closest airport to Carneros Resort & Spa is the Sonoma County Airport (STS), located approximately 43 miles (50 minutes) from the hotel.
Alternatively, you may consider flying into San Francisco International Airport (SFO), which is approximately 58 miles (1 hour and 15 minutes) from the hotel.
Car Rental
Your friends at Lobby Capital recommend using Turo instead of a “traditional” car rental firm.
Many car rental companies service the airport from off-airport facilities. Call them directly for reservations and shuttles. Here are a few for consideration:
- Sonoma County Airport (STS)
  - Ace Rent a Car (707) 568-3387
  - Budget (707) 528-2195
- San Francisco International Airport (SFO)
  - Hertz (650) 624-6600
  - National (650) 616-3000
For those who prefer to drive, complimentary self-parking is available at Carneros Resort & Spa.
We encourage participants to wear an outfit that they would wear to a pitch meeting. That said, please keep in mind that the weather in Napa will be warm, with a forecasted high of 85°F and a nightly low of 54°F.
Founders:
We encourage founders to block off their calendars for the full duration of the Summit to be fully present and make the most of the experience.
For our Interactive Elevator Pitch Workshop, please prepare a 60-second pitch that you will share with a small group of founders and receive direct feedback from your fellow entrepreneurs and participating VCs.
The majority of your afternoon will consist of Pitch Practice Sessions where you will present your pitch deck to leading industry VCs and receive candid feedback. Please bring your laptop to present your deck. Each founder will have 2, 45-minute sessions, comprised of a recommended 30-minute pitch and 15 minutes of feedback. Please remember that a longer pitch will result in less feedback.
VCs:
We encourage investors to block off their calendars for the full duration of the Summit to be fully present and provide entrepreneurs with thoughtful, meaningful feedback.