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What I Saw At The Party Attended By 4,500 Techies, VCs, And Entrepreneurs In Downtown San Francisco

What I Saw At The Party Attended By 4,500 Techies, VCs, And Entrepreneurs In Downtown San Francisco

Just a short walk from Business Insider's West Coast offices is the W Hotel in the South of Market (SoMa) area.

What I Saw At The Party Attended By 4,500 Techies, VCs, And Entrepreneurs In Downtown San Francisco

It's in a pretty nice spot, right across the street from the Museum of Modern Art.

After a quick check-in and ticket scan — no paper here, it's EventBrite QR codes — we're in. Here's what people could expect.

After a quick check-in and ticket scan — no paper here, it

The first floor was a good spot to meet new friends and get lots of free food.

The first floor was a good spot to meet new friends and get lots of free food.

After grabbing some grub and my nametag, I checked out what else could be seen on the other two floors.

After grabbing some grub and my nametag, I checked out what else could be seen on the other two floors.

One thing that couldn't be missed: bars everywhere.

One thing that couldn

The mixer had different sections, like the Gaming Lounge (pictured here), the BPM Lounge, and Wearable Tech Corner.

The mixer had different sections, like the Gaming Lounge (pictured here), the BPM Lounge, and Wearable Tech Corner.

Inside the Gaming Lounge, there were some older classics ...

Inside the Gaming Lounge, there were some older classics ...

... But quite a few people were crowded around a demo of Anki Drive.

... But quite a few people were crowded around a demo of Anki Drive.

It looks like a typical race track with mini-cars to race, but the interesting difference with Anki Drive is it's controlled by iPhones.

It looks like a typical race track with mini-cars to race, but the interesting difference with Anki Drive is it

A bounce house in the back drew a bit of crowd.

A bounce house in the back drew a bit of crowd.

The people inside were tied up to the back and had to get balls into the holes in the center.

The people inside were tied up to the back and had to get balls into the holes in the center.

But these kids were a little big, so there were some technical difficulties at times.

But these kids were a little big, so there were some technical difficulties at times.

Then there was this game, basically an updated version of "Whack-a-Mole." Ben Feibleman (left), of voice-cloning startup VivoText, was, well, intense.

Then there was this game, basically an updated version of "Whack-a-Mole." Ben Feibleman (left), of voice-cloning startup VivoText, was, well, intense.

I also found some interesting drones on a table, teasing of the next Startup and Tech Mixer event.

I also found some interesting drones on a table, teasing of the next Startup and Tech Mixer event.

Besides the games, attendees could check out some speakers.

Besides the games, attendees could check out some speakers.

There were six talks/panels in total, with topics on leadership, how to build solid products, or learning stories of other startups.

There were six talks/panels in total, with topics on leadership, how to build solid products, or learning stories of other startups.

And there were plenty of startups in attendance, showing off their stuff.

And there were plenty of startups in attendance, showing off their stuff.

This was Maptiv8, a company that creates interesting visualizations of organizations. They've had success mapping graduating classes of colleges, for example.

This was Maptiv8, a company that creates interesting visualizations of organizations. They

GoBoldly built a smartphone app to let people connect with friends or strangers to have offline fun, like going surfing or hiking.

GoBoldly built a smartphone app to let people connect with friends or strangers to have offline fun, like going surfing or hiking.

Ari Kalfayan, who helped put together the mixer, is also cofounder and CEO of GoBoldly, which he explained was all about finding "participatory events."

Ari Kalfayan, who helped put together the mixer, is also cofounder and CEO of GoBoldly, which he explained was all about finding "participatory events."

Bitpay, a payment processor for companies wanting to accept Bitcoin, had plenty of interest.

Bitpay, a payment processor for companies wanting to accept Bitcoin, had plenty of interest.

But even in Silicon Valley, John Dreyzehner, Bitpay's head of West Coast Operations, always first asked, "Do you know what Bitcoin is?"

But even in Silicon Valley, John Dreyzehner, Bitpay

The folks from Pebble were also around. Robel Yemiru (left) was explaining their latest smartwatch.

The folks from Pebble were also around. Robel Yemiru (left) was explaining their latest smartwatch.

And, of course, showing it off. Their latest version is called Pebble Steel.

And, of course, showing it off. Their latest version is called Pebble Steel.

Uber, one of the event sponsors, was also there ...

Uber, one of the event sponsors, was also there ...

... Giving out free hats, sunglasses, and credits for Uber rides.

... Giving out free hats, sunglasses, and credits for Uber rides.

From talks, networking, or learning what's new in tech — it was all here.

From talks, networking, or learning what

And if the mixer's crazy growth in the past year serves as any guide, it seems it's only going to get better.

And if the mixer

You saw a bunch of cool Silicon Valley startups ....

You saw a bunch of cool Silicon Valley startups ....

Now check out Blue Apron, the NYC food startup worth half a billion dollars >>

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