Beyond the Highlight Reel: Honest Conversations About Building Startups

Building a startup is exciting. It's also exhausting, uncertain, and, at times, surprisingly lonely. Join founders, startup leaders, and operators for honest conversations about what it really takes to build a company. We'll kick things off with time to connect over light networking before moving into facilitated discussion circles. Rather than sitting through another panel or presentation, you'll choose the conversations that matter most to you. Each room will be themed, where you can engage in conversations on topics like: The emotional highs and lows of entrepreneurship Decision fatigue and burnout Navigating ambiguity and setbacks Building a company without losing yourself in the process This isn't about polished success stories or perfect advice. It's about creating space for the conversations that often happen behind closed doors—the ones that remind us we're not the only ones figuring it out. Whether you're launching your first company, growing a startup, or leading an established team, you'll leave with meaningful connections, fresh perspectives, and a stronger sense that you're not building alone. About Your Host: Sophie Gray Sophie Gray is the Founder & CEO of DiveThru, an Edmonton-based mental health company on a mission to ensure no one struggles alone. Since launching DiveThru, she's grown the company from a single idea into a multi-location mental health organization, navigating the realities of fundraising, leadership, hiring, scaling, and the countless challenges that come with building a startup. Passionate about creating spaces for honest conversations, Sophie believes founders don't need another room full of pitches—they need opportunities to connect with people who truly understand the highs, lows, and uncertainty of entrepreneurship. About DiveThru At DiveThru, we’re on a mission to ensure no one struggles alone. Through our in-person studios and online platform, we connect today’s generation with mental health support designed with them in mind. We also partner with organizations to make mental health support more accessible for their teams.