About this Event
Every AI founder’s nightmare: OpenAI or Anthropic ships a new feature in ChatGPT or Claude that wipes out your product overnight. Thin “AI wrapper” products built on top of large language models are easy to build, and just as easy to replace.
Investors know it too. Before anything else, VCs now ask one question: what is your AI startup’s moat? The answer lies in proprietary workflows, niche data, deep industry integration and the kind of trust that general-purpose AI struggles to earn. Get that right and AI becomes a lasting advantage. Get it wrong and your product becomes a free feature inside someone else’s platform.
What we’ll discuss
● The AI wrapper trap: why products built on top of ChatGPT or Claude are easy to copy, and how to avoid becoming a feature in someone else’s platform
● Where real moats come from today: proprietary data, workflows, deep industry integration and customer trust
● Why trust, governance and verifiable AI win in regulated industries like fintech
● Owning versus renting AI: when to fine-tune open-weight models and when to pay for an API
● How investors now judge whether an AI startup is defensible
What attendees will take away
● A practical framework for testing how defensible your AI product really is
● Clear guidance on what to build in-house and what to buy or rent
● Real lessons from founders building AI in finance and regulated markets
● A chance to see live founder demos and hear direct feedback from the speakers
● Time to ask questions and connect with other founders, operators and technologists building with AI in London
Join us for the second Founders & AI session, a founder-focused startup event in London at The Brew, Shoreditch (Old Street): a fireside chat featuring Cien Solon (Founder & CEO, LaunchLemonade), Ajit Barik (Founder & CEO, HyphenOne and Wyzr) and Anurag Jain (Founder, Digital Back Office and Dataflow). They will unpack the AI wrapper trap, how to build a defensible AI startup with proprietary moats, why verifiable AI wins in regulated industries like fintech, and when to fine-tune open-source models versus paying for an API.
Live founder demos. This time, we’ve set aside 10 minutes for live founder demos. Founders who’d like to show what they’re building can apply through the demo application form (https://forms.gle/jhSSoswJ7nJSWZ5N9). From the applications, we’ll select a few founders to demo on the night and invite them personally so they have time to prepare.
Application deadline: Sunday, 22 November 2026
Limited places. Seats are capped to keep the conversation focused and personal. If you are building a business and ready to scale it with AI, register now to secure your place.
Length of the session
75 minutes of programme: a 45-minute fireside chat, 10 minutes of live founder demos and 20 minutes of open Q&A. The full evening runs 2.5 hours (17:30 – 20:00) including registration, food, drinks and networking.
Run of show
• 17:30 – 18:15 Registration, drinks, food and founder networking
• 18:15 – 18:25 Welcome and quick introductions around the room
• 18:25 – 19:10 Fireside chat with Cien Solon, Ajit Barik and Anurag Jain
• 19:10 – 19:20 Live founder demos, with feedback from the speakers
• 19:20 – 19:40 Open Q&A focused on building a defensible AI product
• 19:40 – 20:00 Curated founder networking
Frequently asked Questions (FAQs)
● Who should attend? Pre-seed and seed founders, technical co-founders and product leads building with AI in London, and anyone worried about OpenAI or Anthropic copying their idea.
● Is Founders & AI free? Yes, with food and drinks provided. Places are limited and registration is by approval.
● When and where is it? Thursday 26 November, 5:30–8:00 PM, The Brew, Eagle House, 163 City Road, London EC1V 1NR, near Old Street.
● How can I demo my startup? Apply through the demo form. Selected founders get a personal invite.
● Will there be time to network? Yes, before and after the session.
● How often does Founders & AI run? Monthly. Follow the Luma calendar to hear about each new session first.
Event venue & nearby stays
The Brew Eagle House - Shoreditch, London Coworking & Office Space, 163 City Road, London, United Kingdom
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