SaaStr Annual + AI Summit 2025 is Next Week! Everything You Need to Know Before You Go!

SaaStr Annual + AI Summit 2025 is just around the corner, taking place at the San Mateo County Event Center from May 13-15, 2025. This comprehensive guide will help you navigate this expansive event and make the most of your experience.

Event Overview & Venue

The SaaStr Annual + AI Summit campus spans over 40 acres at the San Mateo County Event Center, featuring both indoor and outdoor spaces. The event officially kicks off on Tuesday, May 13th at 1:00 pm, though early badge pickup is available on Monday, May 12th. When planning your arrival, be aware that there are multiple entrances to the venue.

• Use 1346 Saratoga Drive in San Mateo for ride share, pickup , drop off, parking and shuttle
• The campus is quite large, so comfortable shoes are highly recommended, and since some sessions take place outdoors, bringing layers is advisable to accommodate temperature changes as you move between indoor and outdoor spaces.
• Rideshare is the most popular transportation option for attendees, but if you’re driving or renting a car, you can request parking through the attendee portal.
• Those staying at the Hampton Inn can take advantage of the SaaStr shuttle service that runs on a continuous loop between the hotel and the event center throughout each day of the conference.

Registration & Badge Pickup

To streamline your arrival, SaaStr offers multiple badge pickup options:

• On Monday, May 12th, early registration is available at both the San Mateo County Event Center and the Hampton Inn satellite location.
• On Tuesday, May 13th, you can pick up your badge at the Hampton Inn from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm, or at the Event Center starting at 1:00 pm when the event officially opens.
• On Wednesday and Thursday, registration opens early at 8:00 am at the Event Center.

When picking up your badge, you’ll need a valid photo ID (driver’s license or passport).

For the most efficient check-in experience, download the “SaaStr Who Do You Want to Meet” app beforehand, which provides a check-in QR code that will streamline the process. Similar to major venues and airports, SaaStr implements security checks throughout the event, so plan accordingly and avoid bringing prohibited items. Unlike airports, however, you won’t need to dispose of beverages when entering. If you’re traveling to the event by air, remember that as of this week, REAL ID is required for domestic flights if using a driver’s license as identification.

Campus Layout & Amenities

Most of your time will be spent in Hangar West and Hangar East, where the main stages, meeting areas, and smaller workshops are located. When you need to meet someone on site, SaaStr Square Park and the Beer Garden offer excellent outdoor meeting spaces that are quieter than the main hangers. There’s also a co-working space available, though it’s primarily designed for actual work rather than meetings and is located near a stage, making it less ideal for calls or video conferences.

The campus features several specialty areas, including:

• a Founders Lounge for entrepreneurs
• a VC Lounge for investors, and
• a Speakeasy Lounge open to all attendees.

For those with a sense of adventure, there’s even a hidden Barcade somewhere on campus waiting to be discovered. Wi-Fi is available throughout the entire venue, allowing you to stay connected wherever you go.

Daily Schedule Highlights

The event begins on Tuesday, May 13th at 1:00 pm with a Founder/CEO Mixer in the Founder’s Lounge or qualifying attendees.  B2B/AI/SaaS founders, come early to meet new connections.

Content sessions officially start at 3:00 pm, with a CEO/CFO Mixer scheduled later in the afternoon.

Wednesday, May 14th kicks off early with 9:30 am sessions featuring Rubrik and Service Titan, followed by the main event kickoff with Jason and an interview with the CEO of HubSpot. The day continues with back-to-back sessions from OpenAI and Perplexity, a CCO Mixer in the afternoon, and concludes with Poker Night. The poker event comes in two versions: a High Rollers edition exclusively for CEOs and CROs (by invitation only), and a General Poker Night open to all attendees who sign up through the app.

Thursday, May 15th promises to be action-packed, starting with an AI and Sales Kickoff at 9:00 am, followed by sessions with Anthropic and Cursor, and a Founder/VC Brunch.The afternoon features presentations from the CEOs of Snowflake and Box, and IBM, culminating in the Mayfield and SaaStr AI Demo Pitch finale, Jason’s Closing AMA, and the Wrap Party. Stay through the entire day rather than departing early, as Thursday’s content is particularly valuable. If you need to check out of your hotel, luggage storage is available at the coat check area on site.

Networking Opportunities

SaaStr Annual offers multiple structured networking platforms to help you connect with other attendees:

• The primary tool is the new “SaaStr Who Do You Want to Meet” app, which uses AI to suggest relevant connections. Note: this app is reserved for CEOs, founders, and revenue leaders with VIP tickets and note: vendors and sales professionals are not eligible to use the app. The system operates on a double opt-in basis, initially limiting users to two accepted meetings, with additional slots unlocking after these are confirmed. When sending meeting requests, be specific about why you want to meet, as this increases the likelihood of acceptance. The app also provides your check-in QR code for event registration.
• For topic-based networking, Brain Date Workshops offer small group discussions with five participants. Unlike the one-on-one meetings in the Who Do You Want to Meet app, Brain Dates focus on specific topics rather than individuals. If you host a Brain Date, prepare slides and be ready to lead a meaningful conversation that isn’t related to your product or service. All topics must be approved by a moderation team to ensure quality and prevent promotional content.
• Throughout the event, special “Meet With” sessions allow you to connect with CEOs, founders, and industry experts. Signing up early for these sessions is recommended, as some presenters may reach out directly to arrange one-on-one meetings. Additionally, founders can participate in the Meet a VC program by registering at meetavc.com, while investors can register to access qualified founders.

Exclusive Summits

SaaStr Annual features several exclusive summits for executives from companies with $10M+ in annual recurring revenue. These include the CMO Summit, CFO Summit, CCO Summit, and a special CEO/CRO high-stakes version of Poker Night. If you qualify and are accepted to these exclusive events, you’ll receive both a calendar invite and a secondary ticket as confirmation.

5 Fun Things to Try at SaaStr 2025

Beyond the sessions and networking, SaaStr Annual offers several unique experiences worth exploring:

1. Find the Hidden Barcade – There’s a secret arcade bar hidden somewhere on the 40-acre campus. The organizers have intentionally kept its location a mystery, making it a fun treasure hunt for attendees. If you discover it, you’ll find exclusive games and a unique atmosphere away from the main event areas.
2. Join the Poker Night – Even if you’re not part of the exclusive CEO/CRO high rollers game, the general Poker Night on Wednesday offers a chance to network in a more relaxed setting. Don’t worry about your poker skills—it’s played with play money, making it accessible to everyone regardless of experience level.
3. Explore the Speakeasy Lounge – Open to all attendees, this themed lounge provides a distinctive environment for casual conversations and a momentary escape from the conference hustle. It’s a perfect spot to recharge between sessions or continue discussions in a more intimate setting.
4. Attend VIP Meet and Greets – The “Meet With” sessions offer rare opportunities to connect with industry leaders in smaller groups. Register for these early, as some executives may reach out for one-on-one conversations, potentially opening doors for valuable relationships.
5. Stay for the CEO of Snowlfake and Box, Jason’s Open AMA, and Our Blow Out Party – Thursday’s closing celebration caps off the event with a final networking opportunity in a festive atmosphere. Many valuable connections happen during this more relaxed setting, and you might catch insights from speakers and executives who are more candid after the formal program concludes.

Top 3 Ways to Connect with VCs at SaaStr

For founders looking to connect with investors, SaaStr 2025 offers several strategic opportunities:

1. Meet a VC Program – This dedicated program is specifically designed to connect founders with potential investors. Register at meetavc.com before the event to get your startup in front of VCs. The organizers actively share these profiles with investors pre-show, increasing your chances of making meaningful connections. While meetings aren’t guaranteed, this puts you on investors’ radars before you even arrive at the event.
2. Founder/VC Brunch on Thursday – This exclusive Thursday morning event brings founders and VCs together in a more intimate setting. The relaxed brunch atmosphere in the VC Lounge creates an ideal environment for natural conversations without the pressure of formal pitches. This is one of the most direct ways to meet multiple investors in a single session.
3. Use the “Who Do You Want to Meet” App Strategically – When using the networking app, prioritize connecting with VCs relevant to your stage and sector. Write detailed meeting requests explaining why you want to meet and how you think there might be mutual value. Since you initially only get two accepted meetings, use these slots wisely by researching investors beforehand and being very specific in your outreach.

Top 5 AI Sessions Not to Miss

The AI Summit is central to SaaStr 2025, these five sessions stand out as must-attend for anyone looking to understand how artificial intelligence is reshaping the SaaS landscape.  Especially stay all day Thursday May 15:

1. AI and Sales Kickoff with Jason (Thursday, 9:00 AM) – SaaStr’s founder Jason kicks off Thursday with insights on AI’s impact on sales. This session promises to be particularly engaging as it features Delphi’s CEO demonstrating how they use AI for presentation creation. The slides themselves were created with AI assistance, offering a meta-example of the technology in action.
2. Anthropic’s CRO and Cursor’s VPM (Thursday, following the AI Sales Kickoff) – This back-to-back sequencing after Jason’s kickoff creates a powerful AI-focused morning. The session explores how Anthropic’s Claude and other foundation models are being implemented by leading SaaS companies, with real-world applications and strategies.
3. OpenAI’s CCO and Perplexity’s CBO (Wednesday, afternoon) – These consecutive sessions feature two of the most influential AI companies shaping the future of search and intelligence. Their back-to-back scheduling offers a comprehensive look at how cutting-edge AI is evolving and being commercialized in business contexts.
4. Mayfield and SaaStr AI Demo Pitch Finale (Thursday, afternoon) – See the most promising AI startups compete in this high-stakes finale. This session provides a unique opportunity to witness innovative applications of AI across various industries and use cases, offering a glimpse into the near future of AI-powered SaaS.
5. Snowflake CEO on Future of AI B2B Apps (Thursday, afternoon) – This highly anticipated talk features Snowflake’s and Observe’s CEOs discussing with Jason the future of B2B applications and data. As a company that sits at the intersection of data infrastructure and AI, Snowflake offers unique insights into how massive data ecosystems are being transformed by and enabling advanced AI applications. This session is particularly valuable for understanding the data foundation required for enterprise-grade AI implementations.

For those focused on AI implementation, consider planning your schedule around these sessions and complementing them with related Brain Date workshops for more specialized discussions in smaller groups.

SaaStr After Hours: Key Social Events & Parties

SaaStr 2025 isn’t just about sessions and meetings—the social events offer some of the best networking opportunities in a more relaxed atmosphere:

Tuesday

• Founder/CEO Mixer (Afternoon, Founders Lounge) – An exclusive gathering for founders and CEOs to connect before the main content begins. Register through the app for this more intimate networking event.
• CEO/CFO Mixer (Late Afternoon) – A specialized networking opportunity for financial leadership before the evening activities begin.

Wednesday

• CCO Mixer (Afternoon) – Dedicated networking for Chief Customer Officers and customer success leadership.
• Poker Night (Evening) – The signature social event of the conference with two tiers:
  • High Rollers Poker – Exclusive to CEOs and CROs by invitation only (requires application and acceptance)
  • General Poker Night – Open to all attendees who register through the app. Features poker tables and dealers (with play money), creating a fun, competitive networking environment.

Thursday

• Founder/VC Brunch (Morning, VC Lounge) – A prime opportunity for founders to connect with investors in a casual setting.
• Blow Out Party (Following Jason’s Closing AMA) – The final celebration bringing together all attendees to close out the event. This is often where some of the most valuable connections happen as people reflect on their experiences and exchange contacts before departing.

Throughout the event, you’ll also find more casual gathering spots like the Beer Garden and SaaStr Square Park for impromptu meetups, as well as the hidden Barcade for those who discover it. Many sponsors also host their own happy hours and social events, which will be announced in the app as the event approaches.

There also many more informal parties outside the venue and nearby, a partial but detailed list here. Sign up!

Final Preparations

As you prepare for SaaStr Annual, remember that the venue is expansive and the days are full, so pacing yourself will be important. For any pre-event questions, contact events at saastr dot com, or visit the Help Desk once you arrive on site. Additional resources and information are available through the attendee portal, and the full webinar replay can be found on the SaaStr YouTube channel.