Seven-plus days into AIBoomi, I led something I’d never done before: designing and running a gathering from scratch. The guest list, the venue, the format, the energy of the room. This is the story of Shape AIBoomi ONE ’27, and what nine founders taught me about what they actually want.
Why Shape ONE ‘27?
AIBoomi’s flagship, ONE ’27, is coming in March 2027. Before building something that big, we wanted to ask the people it’s for: what should a founder gathering look like?
‘Shape AIBoomi ONE ’27’ was how we asked. It was a brainstorming session, not a showcase. Not a typical “let me tell you about my synergy.” but just a small gathering of founders sharing what they wish existed, what they’ve seen done badly, and what they’d show up for.
We curated the mix on purpose:
- Founders who had already been part of AIBoomi gatherings and knew the energy
- Fresh faces who were new to the community
- A few people who had never attended a community gathering at all
That last group was the one I was most curious about. If someone who’s skeptical of “networking” walks in, what would they want it to be?
What actually happened
Nothing dramatic, and that’s exactly why it worked.
It was candid and intimate. Nobody was pitching, and nobody was scanning the place for someone more “useful” to talk to. People shared ideas for what a founder gathering could be, and then drifted into what’s actually hard: the pricing they’re second-guessing, the customer who ghosted, the 2 a.m. doubts that never make it onto LinkedIn.
I got to listen. Really listen. I went in to organize, and I came out with something better than a format: a clear sense that founders don’t want more content or more panels. They want each other!
The fine print of being a founder
From the outside, everyone expects founders to be immaculate. The deck is crisp, the metrics go up and to the right, and the post says “thrilled to announce.” Meanwhile, the real founder is eating cold noodles at 11 p.m., wondering if their pricing page makes any sense.
Every founder has flaws. Every founder has a “wait, is anyone else dealing with this?” moment. The stage changes the problem, but never the feeling:
- 0 to 1: Is this even worth building?
- 1 to 2: Why are the next ten customers harder than the first?
- Scaling and growth: Pricing, GTM, legal, hiring, and everything nobody warned you about
Sometimes the need isn’t a framework or a playbook. It’s being able to call someone relatable and ask, “Are you dealing with this too?” And hear, “Yes. Here’s what I did.”
Why a community is more than a gathering
Most events follow the same arc: show up, network, swap LinkedIns, leave. Nothing wrong with that. But a community is what happens after everyone goes home.
AIBoomi runs on one ethos, ‘Pay it forward’. People come to understand each other and appreciate what each person has built, not to flash corporate tags. Nobody cares what your designation was at your last company. They care what you’re building and where you’re stuck.
It’s refreshing, and honestly a little disarming, to be in a space where you don’t feel judged. Where “I don’t know” is an acceptable answer, and vulnerability reads as strength, not a red flag.
The first few weeks, in short
In just over twenty days, I’ve gone from observing a couple of AIBoomi gatherings, to sitting in one-on-ones with founders, to leading Shape AIBoomi ONE ‘27 and watching nine people who barely knew each other leave as something closer to a cohort.
I’ve met 30+ founders and learned more about the AI ecosystem from conversations than from a hundred newsletters. I’ve seen how differently a 0-to-1 founder thinks compared to someone scaling, and how much people value a room built on care rather than clout.
What’s next
Everything we heard at Shape ONE is shaping what comes next, starting with AIBoomi ONE ’27 in March 2027. I’m genuinely excited for this phase, building spaces where founders can show up as they are!
Onward, together!
