🌴 The final lineup (I think)

👋 I’m Justin. I run The LA Grind and The SF Grind, host the Ambition Podcast, and scout for Headline.

The Ambition Summit lineup is set. I think.

The news first if you missed it: Rick Smith, co-founder of Crosscut Ventures, is joining as our 8th speaker. Rick has spent two decades backing LA startups, and I'm sitting down with him to share what he’s learned.

Here's the full lineup for September 24th in Santa Monica:

Shivani Siroya (Tala). Built a company serving over 15 million customers. She's closing out the day.

Dee Murthy (Ghost). Co-founder of one of LA's fastest-growing marketplaces.

Mehul Nariyawala (Matic). 9 years, 11 prototypes, and his life savings to get here.

Dara Ladjevardian (Delphi). Building digital minds in one of the most talked-about AI companies around.

Jessica Chang (Upwards). Founder solving childcare at scale.

Jo Phillips (Payabli). No. 43 on the Inc. 5000 and growing like crazy.

Shamin Walsh (BAM Ventures). One of LA's sharpest early-stage investors.

Rick Smith (Crosscut Ventures). Three decades of investing experience and a cameo on the show Silicon Valley (I just love that little fun fact).

Why "I think"? There's a chance one more moonshot speaker lands. This has been months of outreach, follow up, and back and forth, so you never know what’ll happen. Either way, this lineup is worth the trip on its own and I can’t wait for everyone to be there.

The guest list is looking incredible, the VIP dinner the night before has some stellar founders and investors coming, and it’s going to be an impactful, fun, day.

Apply to join: https://luma.com/ambition2026

Best,

Justin

P.S. If you’re interested in sponsoring the Ambition Summit, we have a couple more spots available. Reply to this email and I’ll send more details.