Where Ambition
Meets Opportunity
A curated ecosystem connecting founders, investors, researchers, and leaders through events designed for lasting impact.
80–100
Attendees
0+
Industries
0%
Inclusive
2026
Founded
What is The NODE
More than a networking
event. A nexus.
The NODE exists to bridge ambition with access — creating a nexus where opportunities meet dreams, and conversations turn into collaborations.
Whether you're building your first startup, scaling a company, investing in innovation, or looking to expand your network, The NODE is where the right people meet at the right time.
Because the right room can change the trajectory of your life.
Upcoming Event
Our next gathering
MA · FRI, AUG 7TH, 2026
What It Takes To Build
6:00 PM – 10:00 PM EST
Night Shift Brewery · 87 Santilli Highway, Everett, MA
A curated evening of honest stories, hard-earned lessons, and meaningful connections.
Featured
Pitch Competition
Founders take the stage. Showcase your startup to investors and the NODE community.
Applications ClosedPitch Competition
3 Ideas. 1 Stage.
Infinite Possibilities.
Selected to pitch in-person at The NODE — real founders, real investors, real opportunities.
nestaid
Early Stage — Proprietary Technology
Early Phase — Running Pilots
Calaris Diagnostics
Research Patent
Pre-seed — Raising $1.5M
Dr-X
Patent Filed
Early Stage — Raising Funding
Aug 7, 2026 · 6:30 – 10:00 PM
Event Agenda
6:30 – 7:00 PM
Guest Check-In & Welcome Networking
Registration, refreshments, and meet fellow founders, investors, and professionals.
7:00 – 7:10 PM
Opening Remarks
Welcome to The NODE, event overview, theme, and evening flow.
7:10 – 7:15 PM
Introduction of Speakers
7:15 – 7:22 PM
Charles Mbata
Founders Perspective in Building
7:23 – 7:30 PM
Beth Marshdoyle
Leadership & Building with Purpose
7:31 – 7:37 PM
Sanjay Manandhar
Entrepreneurial Journey & Lessons Learned
7:38 – 7:45 PM
Vaskar Gnyawali
Building at the Intersection of Science, AI & Venture
7:46 – 7:54 PM
Sara Ashrafi
Business Development & Turning Ideas into Opportunities
7:55 – 8:02 PM
Mark Zheng
Investor Perspective: What Investors Look For
8:02 – 8:10 PM
Transition & Pitch Series Introduction
8:10 – 8:23 PM
Startup Pitch #1
2 min laptop setup · 6 min pitch · 5 min investor Q&A
8:23 – 8:36 PM
Startup Pitch #2
2 min laptop setup · 6 min pitch · 5 min investor Q&A
8:36 – 8:49 PM
Startup Pitch #3
2 min laptop setup · 6 min pitch · 5 min investor Q&A
8:50 – 9:45 PM
Curated Networking
Connect with founders, investors, speakers, and attendees.
9:45 – 10:00 PM
Closing Remarks & Thank You
Final reflections, acknowledgements, group photo, and event wrap-up.
The Community
Every seat at the table is intentional.
We don't fill rooms. We curate them. Each gathering brings together a precise mix of people who can genuinely move each other's work forward — across science, technology, and business.
Curated Gatherings
Founder and investor events designed for real conversation and lasting relationships.
Pitch Opportunities
Startup showcases where founders take the stage in front of investors and the community.
Cross-Collaboration
Bringing together science, technology, and business for unexpected connections.
Community Experiences
Authentic relationship building through shared context and curated introductions.
Panel Discussion
What We Do
Curated Gatherings
Pitch Opportunities
Investor Introductions
Cross-Collaboration
Speakers & Investors
Voices that have earned
the right to the room.
We bring in founders, investors, and operators who share the hard-won lessons — not the polished pitch.
Charles Mbata
Founder
MyMonitor.ai
Sara Ashrafi
Sr. Business Development Manager
Kyinno Biotechnology
Beth Marshdoyle
Leadership Coach · Former AE, Apple
Brown University
Sanjay Manandhar
Entrepreneur & Founder
Zifino
Mark Zheng
Investor · Venture Partner
VU Venture Partners
Dr. Vaskar Gnyawali
CoFounder & Fmr. CSO · PostDoc Fellow
Breaking Inc. · Harvard University
Our Partners & Sponsors
Because the future isn't built
alone. It's built together.
The NODE is supported by organizations and individuals who share our belief that great communities create outsized impact.
Become a Supporter
Partner with The NODE
Interested in connecting your brand with an engaged community of founders, investors, and innovators? We'd love to explore how we can work together.
Partnerships may include:
Event sponsorship
Startup programming
Co-hosted experiences
Strategic ecosystem collaborations
A Note from the Founder
Asmi Pokharel
Research Scientist, Harvard ES · Founder of The NODE
“Everything changed because I walked into that room.”
Over the past few years, I've had the privilege of meeting incredible founders, investors, researchers, entrepreneurs, and leaders. One thing I've noticed is that while we all come from different backgrounds, we're often asking the same questions — How do we build something meaningful? Who do we learn from? Where do we find people who genuinely want to see each other succeed?
That question is what inspired The NODE. I've always believed that one conversation can change a life. Every opportunity I've had, every mentor, every career milestone, every door that opened — started with someone willing to connect. Yet I've also seen brilliant founders, dreamers, and professionals struggle, not because they lacked talent, but because they lacked access to the right room.
The NODE wasn't created to be another networking group. It was created to become a community where ambitious people can find one another, exchange ideas openly, and create opportunities together. If The NODE can become the place where that story begins, then we've built something far greater than a community. We've built a legacy.
@the_N.O.D.EGet In Touch
Ready to join
the conversation?
Thank you for being part of The NODE. Reach out for future events and partnerships.