RoundTable's First Draft

Sometimes the most beautiful stories begin with the simplest moments. A conversation. Two strangers sharing their dreams. The courage to believe that maybe, just maybe, they could build something meaningful together.

This is the story of Dev and Sagnik—two immigrants who discovered that their greatest strength wasn't what they knew, but what they were willing to learn alongside others.

Dev's Beginning

When I moved here, I didn’t bring much. A couple of bags, a head full of dreams, and a heart that believed I could build something meaningful.

But in the beginning, even showing up felt like an act of courage.

I remember walking into my first meetup in the Bay Area. Everyone seemed so sure of themselves. So polished. I stood in the corner for a while, wondering if I was new.

Soon I found myself navigating the complex world of “Building a Career” I was hired as a product manager at Yahoo, working on advertising platforms that reached millions. Yet, despite the success, it felt empty—especially coming from a culture that values building success through community and collaboration, not in isolation.

That night after work, I promised myself that if I ever got the chance, I’d create a space where no one ever had to feel like that again.

So I started hosting small gatherings. Nothing fancy. Just real people with real dreams, sitting together and talking honestly. Not just about startups or funding rounds but about fear, resilience, and how lonely the journey can be. Through the feedback I received, it became clear that rather than climbing the ladder alone, I wanted to create bridges for others navigating the same path.

Sagnick's Beginning

I’ve spent years working at big tech companies like Apple, Google, and the list goes on. But my identity was never just about the logos on my resume. Because beneath my achievements lay the same truth many immigrants know deeply: success means nothing if you're the only one at the table.

When I met Dev over dinner in Palo Alto, I didn’t see a typical product meetup organizer. I saw someone who, like me, was building something from the inside out. From scratch. With heart.

We talked about everything that night—our shared stories, the pressure to “make it,” and the people we’ve seen fall through the cracks of the startup system.

We didn’t just want to host events. We wanted to build a table where people could sit before they felt ready. A table where being early didn’t mean being underestimated. A table where you could walk in as a stranger and leave with an idea, a supporter and a co-founder.

So we built the table. Together.

Building RoundTable

Over the next year, we poured ourselves into the RoundTable’s Community. We listened to every feedback, solved almost every problem of a beginner . We celebrated small wins like they were IPOs. And eventually, something became clear: The people coming to our meetups didn’t just need connection. They needed guidance. A strategic support. A steady hand when the path felt too foggy to see like it always does in startups.

That’s when we expanded into Roundtable Advisory—not to be just another agency or firm, but as a way to give back. To honour the dreams of those who come with nothing but belief—because we’ve been in their shoes. We’ve sat outside the room, waiting for someone to open the door.

We don’t just help startups raise capital or craft go-to-market plans; we choose to bet on you and open doors that were once shut. Because we understand the power of a single person believing in your potential.

This Is Your Table

When we joined Yangchen to build BEGI8NERS as Strategic Partners, it wasn't a business decision; it almost felt like home. We recognised BEGINNERS had the same spirit that had driven us from uncertainty to impact: That some of the most powerful ideas live in people who are still figuring it out and that everyone deserves a seat at the table, especially when they're just starting.

If you’ve ever felt too early, too uncertain, or too invisible

This is your table now.

Pull up a chair.

Because you've always belonged here

Welcome to BEGI8NERS—this is where you take your first step

Welcome to The Roundtable—this is where we help you scale