What to Expect?

THE 2026 EXPERIENCE
SAN FRANCISCO EDITION

The Great AI Convergence: Capital. Compute. Collaboration.

A one-day summit bringing together the architects of the AI economy — from model builders to market makers.

Zones of Engagement

Main Stage

Visionary keynotes, fireside conversations, and panels with investors, founders, and infrastructure leaders.

Demo Floors

Domain-specific startup showcases featuring frontier AI companies across five verticals.

THE BUILDER LABS — WHERE KNOWLEDGE SCALES

Happy Llama USA replaces “closed rooms” with open collaboration zones that combine mentorship, speed networking, and global insight.

Angel Networking

Curated VC–Founder speed networking sessions — bridging early-stage and growth-stage founders with top funds and syndicates.

Where ideas meet term sheets.

Enterprise Connect

Invite-only CXO sessions for enterprise innovation leaders to explore pilot-ready AI solutions.

From proof-of-concept to full-scale adoption.

LLAMA BATTLEGROUND — USA EDITION

The Global Stage for Early-Stage AI Startups
Llama Battleground USA is where the most promising pre-Series A startups compete to capture investor attention and global visibility.

Tracks include:
1️⃣ Enterprise & Productivity AI
2️⃣ Fintech & Commerce Intelligence
3️⃣ Health & BioAI
4️⃣ Media, Creator & Consumer AI
5️⃣ DeepTech & Infra AI

Judged by: Leading U.S. investors, enterprises, and AIM editors.
Reward: Visibility, mentorship, and media amplification via AIM Global.

Where the next generation of AI unicorns take flight.

HAPPY LLAMA AI INNOVATION AWARDS — USA

Celebrating the Builders Defining AI’s Global Future.
The Happy Llama Awards recognize founders, funds, and companies driving AI excellence through real-world impact.

Indicative Categories:

AI Startup of the Year
Emerging Frontier Startup
Best Enterprise AI Deployment
AI Venture Firm of the Year
Global Founder of the Year
Women in AI Leadership

Finalists will be honored live in San Francisco on Feb 27, 2026.

Because innovation deserves visibility — and vision deserves celebration

Innovation at
every turn

From Concept to Global Impact
Happy Llama 2026 Charts the Course for AI Startups

Happy Llama for Startups

Happy Llama is your stage to shine. From pitching at the high-stakes Llama Battleground to networking with VCs and industry experts, founders get unmatched exposure to investors, partners, and peers. It’s not just about pitching—it’s about learning, scaling, and positioning your AI-first startup for global impact.

For Investors & VCs

At Happy Llama, investors get a front-row seat to the most promising AI startups in the region. With curated deal flow, trendspotting sessions, and one-on-one interactions, the event helps VCs discover disruptive ideas early, meet high-quality founders, and unlock opportunities to back the next unicorns in AI.

For Innovators & Ecosystem Partners

Happy Llama offers a vibrant platform for collaboration and thought leadership. Ecosystem players—from accelerators and corporates to policy leaders—gain the chance to engage with 300+ AI builders, showcase their expertise, and explore strategic partnerships. It’s where ideas cross-pollinate, creating new opportunities to shape the future of AI innovation.

THE 2026 EXPERIENCE SAN FRANCISCO EDITION