Nashville, TN | April 23, 2026

What is it?

Lightning isn't a conference. There are no panels, no keynotes, no exhibition halls.

This is a focused day designed around one idea: people do business with people they know and like. Everything about Lightning exists to create those connections in an authentic Nashville setting.

70 active VCs. 100 of Nashville's best founders. One day where the goal is simple- meet people you actually want to stay in touch with.

Why Nashville?

Nashville is building something real. Not the "next Silicon Valley" or the "next anywhere else"- just Nashville, with its own flavor and focus.

Lightning exists to show you what's happening here, introduce you to the people making it happen, and let you decide for yourself if this is a place you want to invest.

The Day: April 23rd

Neuhoff District. All day. One place.

• Morning: Optional Padel, breakfast

• Midday: Breakout sessions, small group lunches

• 4-6pm: Break for founder meetings or hotel

• Evening: Dinner, live music, drinks, Broadway (optional)

• Meetings anytime, with our help coordinating

Meeting Founders

Here's what's different this year: no rigid 20-minute speed dating slots.

You control your own schedule. Want to meet with a founder? Book time with them- morning, afternoon, during the break, whenever works. If a conversation is going well, let it run. If it's not a fit, keep it short.

We're bringing 100 founders to the table this year. You'll get full data on all of them before you arrive, so you can decide who you want to meet and reach out directly. We'll help coordinate, but you're in control.

The result: better conversations, more flexibility, and access to more founders than we could ever fit into a structured schedule.

What You'll Know Before You Arrive

You'll receive:

• Full list of every VC attending

• Complete data on all 100 founders participating

• Information on who they are, what they're building, and why they matter

• Details on sponsors and ecosystem partners who'll be there

Plan your day however you want. We just make sure you have the information to do it well.

Beyond April 23rd

Lightning is one focused day, but we know some of you want more time in Nashville.

April 22nd & 24th: Extended Programming

The Lighthouse (our home base) will be open all day before and after the main event:

• Available for 1x1 meetings

• Informal networking

• Snacks and drinks throughout the day

• A comfortable spot for spontaneous conversations

We also expect multiple community-led side events on these days. Some will be sponsor-hosted. Others will be organized by ecosystem participants. We'll share details as they're confirmed and help you navigate what's happening.

You can participate in just the main day or extend your trip- whatever makes sense for you.

The People in the Room

VCs
70 investors who are actively writing checks.

Founders
100 companies at various stages, all building in Nashville.

Sponsors
A tight group of hand-selected partners- legal, banking, infrastructure. Companies that VCs should know because they solve real problems for this ecosystem.

The Vibe

Fun. Lighthearted. Real.

We're not trying to manufacture authenticity. We're just creating the conditions for it, then getting out of the way.

What Success Looks Like

You leave with:

• 5-10 new relationships with other VCs you actually like

• 3-5 founders you want to meet with again and dozens to track

• A clear picture of what's being built in Nashville

• Follow-up meetings already scheduled for the week after

Logistics

Location: Neuhoff District, Nashville, TN
Date: April 23, 2026
Format: Single-day event with optional programming April 22-24
Attendance: Invitation only

More details on hotels, parking, and exact venue addresses will be sent to confirmed attendees.

Questions?

Reach out. We're happy to talk through whether Lightning is the right fit for you.

This event works because everyone who comes should be there. If that's you, let's make it happen.