The Investors’ Christmas Mixer takes place in Palo Alto on Wednesday, December 16, 2026, from 5:30 to 9:00 p.m. PST. Hosted by Open Future Forum with Louis Lehot of Foley & Lardner and Adam Fauvre of RSM, the reception is for investors active in venture and growth.
Attendance requires host approval, and the invitation specifies a $100 million fund AUM minimum.
There will be champagne, food and Chef Julien flambéing pancakes. There will also be time to see people you have been meaning to catch up with before everyone leaves for the holidays.
Request an invitation to the Investors’ Christmas Mixer.
An evening across different investment perspectives
A venture investor considering an early round and a growth investor assessing a later-stage business can have useful questions for each other. One might be trying to understand which customer milestones will matter at the next financing. The other might want to know how a new category is developing before it appears in the growth portfolio.
Corporate venture investors can add a view of how companies assess strategic relevance. Family offices active in venture and growth may bring experience across stages or different investment horizons. An introduction gives you a chance to learn how the other firm actually invests.
Hosts will introduce guests during the December reception. There are no panels or pitches, and conversations are off the record.
You can talk about what changed your mind this year, a business model you are spending more time on, or a question you have yet to resolve. You can also simply enjoy catching up.
Who the invitation is for
The event welcomes:
- Venture capital investors.
- Corporate venture capital leaders.
- Growth equity and strategic investors.
- Family offices investing in venture and growth.
The registration criteria specify a minimum of $100 million in fund assets under management. Include your firm, role and investment focus when applying. Those details help the hosts assess the request and make relevant introductions.
A very limited number of founders, CEOs and operators may attend through specific invitations. Founders should not assume that registering provides access to investors or an opportunity to pitch.
The audience definition matters when choosing a holiday event. A family office investing in venture and growth fits the stated investment focus; the invitation does not describe a general gathering for everyone working in private wealth.
A useful introduction starts with a little detail
If you would like help meeting someone, give the hosts a specific starting point. The sector you follow, the stage at which you invest, or an operating question from your portfolio can be enough.
For example, an investor evaluating enterprise software might want to compare how customers are measuring the value of AI products. Someone working with a company approaching a larger financing might be interested in how later-stage investors assess revenue quality.
These are possible conversation starters, not a scheduled agenda. There is no expectation that guests share confidential deal information or arrive with a prepared view of the market.
If a conversation deserves more time, ask whether the other person would welcome a follow-up in January. Mention the topic you would like to pick up when you get in touch.
Your hosts
The evening is hosted by Murray Newlands, CEO of Open Future Forum; Yvonne Newlands, Chief Business Officer of Open Future Forum; Louis Lehot, Partner at Foley & Lardner; and Adam Fauvre, Director at RSM US LLP.
Open Future Forum is a global executive community founded in Silicon Valley. Its gatherings bring together executives and investors throughout the year. For a broader view of the local investment community, see its guide to VC and investor events in San Francisco.
See all four Open Future Forum holiday gatherings in December 2026.
Last updated: November 13, 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Request an Investor Invitation
Include your firm, role and investment focus when applying for the December 16 reception.