On December 9, founders, funders, builders, and operators gathered in Hell’s Kitchen for an intimate holiday celebration hosted by Ascendancy, Catalyst, and Rootless Social.
Designed as a curated evening for high-agency leaders building the future, the event brought together members of the New York startup ecosystem for thoughtful conversation, meaningful connection, and end-of-year celebration.
Set in a private space in Hell’s Kitchen, the gathering created an atmosphere that felt both elevated and deeply personal.
A Different Kind of NYC Founder Event
This was not a traditional networking mixer. The evening followed one simple rule:
Do not lead with “What do you do?”
Instead, guests were encouraged to start with the human. The result was a shift in energy that made conversations more authentic, memorable, and relationship-driven.
From beverages and curated bites to intentional dialogue, the room reflected what makes the New York founder community special: ambition paired with depth.
Bringing Together Founders, Funders, and Builders
Attendees included startup founders, investors, operators, and creative leaders shaping companies across industries.
Throughout the evening, conversations centered around:
- Building founder-led brands
- Scaling responsibly in today’s market
- Community as a growth engine
- Content-driven go-to-market strategy
- The evolving role of high-agency leadership
By keeping the guest list curated and limited, the hosts ensured the quality of connection remained high.
Celebrating Community in New York’s Startup Ecosystem
As the year comes to a close, moments like this remind us that entrepreneurship is not built alone. It is built in rooms where trust, ideas, and collaboration intersect.
The Ascendancy Holiday Gathering in NYC reinforced the importance of community-first events that prioritize depth over volume and relationships over transactions.
Rootless Social continues to support curated founder events in both Boston and New York, building bridges across ecosystems and connecting creators who do not fit the traditional mold.
More intimate gatherings and curated experiences are coming soon.