TheBridge
Community connecting tech, policy and politics
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TheBridge Events

TheBridge has partnered with leading tech, policy and political organizations including Microsoft, Google, Twitter, WeWork, Postmates, The US Chamber's Technology Engagement Center (C_TEC), National Journal's Policy Makers Network, Verizon, Dell, Lyft, Quorum, Airbnb, 1776, DCode, The United States Digital Service (USDS), The Federal Communications Commission (FCC), Vrge Strategies, The Bank Policy Institute, Women's High-Tech Coalition, and more. 

Our events have included policy discussions, career networking events, Women in Tech series, resume and career workshops. How do you want to partner? Email us!  

We announce our events in TheBridge Update (sent on Tues & Thurs) Click below to sign up to receive the Update and stay up to date!

TheBridge events are unique. They drive a conversation between the public and private sector, promote understanding and collaboration while catalyzing meaningful and lasting connections. Our events range from intimate discussions among industry leaders, working groups and roundtables, to larger events broadcast live on C-SPAN-TV and have attracted all major outlets including PBS Newshour, Bloomberg, Reuters, The Wall Street Journal, TechCrunch, Recode, Politico, among others.

Want to attend an event? The best way to stay up to date with TheBridge events is through our bi-weekly community updates.

Photos and Event Recap - Drinks and Discussions with TheBridge and Postmates: Future of Work

TheBridge’s October “Drinks and Discussions” was with Postmates on Oct 17. Vikrum Aiyer, the Vice President of Global Public Policy & Strategic Communications at Postmates, and Allie Brandenburger, CEO and Co-Founder of TheBridge, kicked off the night with a fireside chat, followed by a thought-provoking discussion with attendees, then drinks and networking at WeWork. The topics discussed included AB5 and other legislation relating to workforce development, the gig-economy, and how to build collaboration between government and innovators around workforce problems in an evolving tech economy. 

"Drinks and Discussions with TheBridge" is a monthly series that promotes productive conversation and connections at the intersection of policy, politics, and politics. Partner with us!

Vikrum's background in government includes a wide array of experiences in the House of Representatives, the White House, and the Department of Commerce in Barack Obama's administration. As a result, he understands the lens policymakers view workforce disruption issues through. Now at Postmates, he is leveraging his prior government experience to drive not just innovation, but constructive collaboration on workforce issues. 

When asked about the importance of collaboration, Vikrum said, "Government needs to build empathy for tech. And tech needs to build empathy for government. The only way we can do that is through having these conversations." The importance of his message cannot be understated in the context of how we define work in our country. It is why TheBridge exists - we believe building mutual understanding will lead to a more collaborative future.

With different incentives for innovators and lawmakers, he emphasized that the only way to achieve meaningful policy reform is to bring all the voices to the table. With some lawmakers advocating for a total transformation of the contract employee business model, Vikrum sees another solution that advances the interest of workers - the layering of benefits. Highlighting that flexibility is what makes the contractor model work so well, he emphasized why the conversation on the future of work should instead focus on how to increase benefits for workers. 

Vikrum's insights from his experience at Postmates and government are a reminder that together these issues can be solved - but only if we build empathy, recognize incentives and give all stakeholders a voice at the table. 

TheBridge hosted a similar discussion in San Francisco with industry and labor, focused on ways the two can work together. The conversation was the day that AB 5 went to Governor Gavin Newsom’s desk. A timely discussion to say the least, the San Francisco Chronicle turned the event into a live episode for the It’s All Political podcast. Listen here!

TheBridge is non-partisan organization building understanding & collaboration among tech, innovation, policy, politics in various ways, including providing a unique forum for neutral and productive dialogue. Learn more about TheBridge resources including a career platform and jobs board, convening community members, a leaders directory and more. Join and get involved!

If you would like to partner with TheBridge on an event, email us at hello@thebridgework.com.

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Partner with TheBridge

If you would like to partner with TheBridge on an event, email us at hello@thebridgework.com.

Drinks and DiscussionsTheBridge