In a world where early-stage startups struggle to stand out and often feel pressured to spend tens of thousands of dollars on public relations and social media agencies, a new event is aiming to flip the script.
On August 9, 2025, a group of former Y Combinator (YC) and Andreessen Horowitz (a16z) communications leaders are launching The To Do List Summit—a private, invite-only event designed specifically for early-stage founders.
Held in San Francisco, the heart of the startup ecosystem, the summit promises to equip 80 startup founders with the tools and strategies they need to handle their own press outreach, social media presence, and personal branding—without breaking the bank or giving up equity.
What Is The To Do List Summit?
The To Do List Summit is a one-day, immersive experience created by a team of seasoned startup veterans with deep roots in Silicon Valley’s most influential institutions. The event will focus on practical, hands-on training in media relations, viral marketing, founder-led content creation, and how to navigate today’s fast-moving tech news cycle.
The cost of attendance is $600, a price point the organizers describe as “intentionally accessible,” especially when compared to PR agencies that charge startups upwards of $10,000 per month.
Who’s Behind the Summit?
The summit is led by former Y Combinator events and PR staff and a former social media manager at Andreessen Horowitz (a16z). These individuals were part of the teams that helped shape the public perception of some of the biggest startups to come out of Silicon Valley, including the AI giant OpenAI, now run by former YC President Sam Altman.
Many of these organizers were laid off in a series of cuts at YC between 2023 and 2024. While the layoffs were surprising—given the popularity and success of YC events—they gave this team an opportunity to channel their expertise into something new, with the potential to democratize access to high-quality media and growth strategies for startup founders outside the YC ecosystem.
“We’re doing this because we’re appalled by how many early-stage founders are misled into thinking they need to pay five figures to be seen. That’s simply not true anymore,” one organizer told TechCrunch.
Why Founders Are Struggling With PR and Social Media
For most early-stage founders, the startup journey is lonely, chaotic, and filled with financial risk. When it comes to brand building, most founders feel ill-equipped. Many don’t know where to begin when it comes to pitching journalists, creating compelling social content, or even explaining their product in a clear and concise way.
Moreover, the landscape of startup media and virality has shifted dramatically over the past five years. Founders are no longer reliant on formal media coverage or paid press releases. Today, a single viral tweet or X post can lead to massive funding rounds, customer growth, or even government contracts.
Just look at a few recent examples:
- The founders of Rork, a vibe-based coding app, were nearly out of money when a single viral tweet led to a $2.8 million seed round and acceptance into a16z’s Speedrun program.
- Theseus, a defense tech startup, used a viral X post to secure $4.3 million in funding, a spot in Y Combinator, and a contract with the U.S. Special Forces.
- Cluely, a minimalist social networking app, went viral before it even launched, drawing tens of thousands of waitlist sign-ups and attracting major VC attention.
What Founders Will Learn at the Summit
The To Do List Summit is laser-focused on actionable training. Organizers describe the event as “anti-fluff,” promising attendees will walk away with:
- How to Pitch Journalists Like a Pro
Learn what reporters actually want, how to write subject lines that get opened, and how to frame your startup in a way that makes it newsworthy. - Building a Founder-Led Brand on Social Media
Practical techniques for creating high-performing posts, threads, and videos—even if you hate being online. Learn how to build credibility, community, and reach. - What Actually Goes Viral (And Why)
Analysis of recent viral campaigns and what made them work—from timing and tone to platform algorithms and storytelling structure. - Templates, Tools, and Playbooks
Attendees will receive pitch email templates, social content calendars, and a guide to running PR sprints in-house. - 1:1 Feedback and Mentorship
Each founder will get live feedback on their pitch, social bios, and press strategies from event mentors.
Why This Summit Matters Now
The rise of AI startups, defense tech, and climate-focused founders has created a new generation of mission-driven entrepreneurs—many of whom are bootstrapping or raising small rounds from angel investors. These founders often lack the capital or connections to work with high-end PR agencies or growth consultants.
This summit aims to bridge that gap by offering Silicon Valley-level expertise to anyone with a product and a story worth sharing.
“If we could help YC founders go viral, raise capital, and get into the press, we can help anyone do it. No agency. No gatekeeping. No BS,” said one of the summit’s organizers.
Not Just for YC Founders
Although the organizers come from YC and a16z, they’re explicitly designing the event for founders outside of elite programs.
Many early-stage founders feel like they’re at a disadvantage if they haven’t been through an accelerator like YC or raised from top-tier VCs. The To Do List Summit is a counter-narrative: a belief that great storytelling and smart social media can level the playing field.
This accessibility-minded approach is also reflected in the summit’s pricing. At $600, the event is a fraction of the cost of traditional PR retainers and doesn’t require founders to give up equity or future upside.
The State of Startup PR in 2025
In 2025, startup PR has changed dramatically:
- Media coverage is harder to get. Fewer journalists are covering startups due to newsroom cuts.
- Press releases are largely ignored. Unless tied to a significant funding announcement, they often go unread.
- Social media is everything. From X (formerly Twitter) to LinkedIn to TikTok, founders are expected to have a voice.
- VCs are watching. Many investors now expect founders to be their own best advocates—and their own distribution channel.
Founders who can master their own narratives are far more likely to attract talent, customers, and capital.
That’s why events like this one matter.
A Shift Toward Founder Empowerment
The To Do List Summit reflects a broader movement in the startup world: the shift from outsourcing growth to founder-driven traction. Just as modern startups use no-code tools, remote teams, and community-led growth, they’re now learning to handle PR and social media in-house.
This approach not only saves money—it helps founders stay authentic, nimble, and in control of their brand.
It also removes dependence on expensive service providers who may not understand the nuance of the founder’s mission or voice.
Who Should Attend?
The summit is tailored for:
- Early-stage founders (pre-seed to Series A)
- Solo founders or small teams
- Startups in AI, climate, biotech, SaaS, consumer tech, and beyond
- Founders who want to learn how to be better storytellers, more visible online, and savvier with media
Attendees must apply for an invitation. The team is curating the group to ensure quality and alignment.
Frequently Asked Question
What is The To Do List Summit?
The To Do List Summit is an invite-only, one-day event designed to help early-stage startup founders learn how to handle PR, media outreach, and social media strategy without hiring expensive agencies. The summit is led by former Y Combinator (YC) and Andreessen Horowitz (a16z) communications professionals.
Who is organizing the event?
The summit is organized by individuals who previously led events, PR, and social media strategy at Y Combinator and a16z. These organizers were behind some of the most successful startup visibility campaigns in Silicon Valley and are now using that experience to support a wider range of founders.
When and where is the summit happening?
The To Do List Summit will take place on August 9, 2025, in San Francisco, California. The exact location is shared only with confirmed attendees due to the invite-only nature of the event.
Who can attend the summit?
Attendance is limited to 80 early-stage startup founders. While many of the organizers come from YC and a16z, the summit is open to founders from any background or industry. Applicants are selected based on alignment with the summit’s goals and the potential benefit to their startup journey.
What does the $600 fee include?
The $600 attendance fee covers access to all workshops, mentorship sessions, printed materials, pitch templates, social media toolkits, meals, and networking with fellow founders. There is no equity required or upsell into any consulting service.
What will founders learn at the summit?
Founders will learn:
- How to pitch journalists and get media coverage
- How to build a personal and company brand on social media
- What makes startup content go viral
- How to write effective PR emails and social posts
- How to avoid wasting money on ineffective marketing agencies
How can founders apply to attend?
Interested founders must apply for an invitation via a private application process. The organizers review each application to ensure a strong fit and a high-quality experience for all attendees. Details can be found on the summit’s official website or via links shared by the organizers on X (formerly Twitter) and LinkedIn.
Conclusion
The To Do List Summit is more than just a workshop—it’s a response to a changing startup landscape. In an age where attention is currency, and a well-timed post can unlock millions in funding, this event is giving founders what they need most: the ability to own their story and share it with the world. If you’re an early-stage founder looking to break through the noise, this summit might be one of the most valuable investments you can make this year.
