Over a decade ago, we set out to build UpWest and create meaningful impact for seed-stage founders. Since then, many have joined us, becoming integral to our growing community.
Our retreats offer founders a unique opportunity to step back, recharge, andconnect. Through thoughtfully designed programming and a relaxed atmosphere, we foster space for reflection, learning, and genuine connection.
We can't wait to share this experience with you.
Team UpWest
Our Homebase
Lodge at Marconi
A beautifully reimagined coastal retreat set on 62 acres overlooking Tomales Bay in California's West Marin. Once a historic Marconi radio station, it’s now a serene hideaway with modern rooms, communal spaces, forested trails, fire pits, and the kind of quiet that is perfect for unplugging, thinking clearly, and connecting.
Fun Fact! The Lodge has a unique history — the site was originally built in 1914 as a radio receiving station by Guglielmo Marconi, often credited as the inventor of radio.
Opening Night
We’ll start the evening with a reception and drinks on the patio, then gather under the tent for a feast-style dinner together — with beautiful local ingredients, chef-driven food, excellent wine, and plenty of time to settle in, connect, and enjoy the night.
co-hosted by
David Studbaker
As part of our Opening Night, we’re excited to welcome David Studebaker for a special comedy set.
A nationally recognized comedian, David is known for his upbeat, storytelling style inspired by real-life moments and everyday absurdities. He was named one of SF Weekly’s “10 Best Comics to Watch” and has been featured on SiriusXM, iHeartRadio, Fox, and ABC. He is also a sought-after headliner for corporate events and Princess Cruises.
Kayaking on Tomales Bay
We’ll head out for a relaxed, guided paddle on the calm waters of Tomales Bay — scenic, beginner-friendly, and a beautiful way to experience the quiet coves, shoreline, and natural beauty of Point Reyes from the water. With experienced guides and stable tandem kayaks, it’s an easy, enjoyable outing with plenty of opportunity to take in the landscape and spot local wildlife.
Founder Sessions
In our founder-led sessions, we will break into small groups to discuss some of the most pressing challenges faced by leaders of global companies today.
The topics, selected by UpWest portfolio founders, are designed to be highly relevant and actionable, providing valuable insights to enhance founders' leadership journey while offering the chance to gain practical advice and share experiences with fellow founders.
Key discussion areas include: Building Real AI Products & Finding Your Edge; Fundraising in Today’s Market, Building The Team For The Next Stage; Focus, Priorities and Growth In The Founder Journey; and more.
Straus Home Ranch
Set on the shores of Tomales Bay, Straus Home Ranch is a beautiful, family-owned property spread across 166 acres of rolling hills and pastures in West Marin, with a long history rooted in land stewardship and preservation in the region. It will be our landing point after the kayak outing, and the setting for a chef lunch, sessions, and conversation throughout the day.
Fireside Chat: Tamar Bercovici, VP of Engineering at Box
We’re excited to host an intimate fireside chat with Tamar Bercovici, VP of Engineering at Box, where she leads the Core Platform team scaling the foundational platform behind the Box Content Cloud, including storage, content, and AI platforms. Tamar has spent 15 years at Box, growing from senior IC to VP of Engineering, and is a frequent speaker on technical leadership, large-scale distributed systems, and AI.
Together, we’ll explore how AI is reshaping enterprise software, engineering organizations, and startup-to-enterprise dynamics — including what it takes to build trusted products for large enterprises, how AI is changing the structure and speed of engineering teams, and what founders should rethink as the next generation of enterprise companies is being built.
Building Moats & Scaling Smart:
Founder Session with Jono Bacon
We are excited to host Jono Bacon for an interactive workshop focused on what it takes to build real moats and scale thoughtfully in the AI era. Based on his work with 200+ companies, including GitHub, Google, GitLab, Dagger, Microsoft, and the Linux Foundation, the session will explore how founders can differentiate beyond product features, deepen customer connection, and create the kind of early user experience that drives lasting advocacy.
Founders Wine & Dine at Mabel's
Our second night’s program will take place at Mable’s, the beautiful restaurant at the Lodge at Marconi. Led by Executive Chef Les Goodman, Mable’s is known for its Mediterranean-inspired, farm-to-table approach, seasonal local ingredients, and warm, inviting atmosphere. We’ll gather there for a special dinner together — with excellent food, great wine, and just a really good vibe all around.
Morning Yoga Flow
Designed to promote relaxation and wellness, the morning yoga flow session will be led by Mary Kate McCartney (E-RYT 500 Vinyasa & Kundalini Yoga, CMT), a seasoned instructor with over 20 years of experience. Mary Kate has been teaching since 2008 and currently leads teacher trainings, retreats, and weekly classes at Lodge at Marconi.
THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS
