Showcasing Key Technology Trends

And building a community of leading startups, investors and corporate partners

Santa Cruz, California

Prominent Previous Startups

* Doon Capital Portfolio Company

Our Story

Doon Insights began 13 years ago as a simple concept by Howard Chao:  Bring together the ecosystem of investors, strategics and startups in key verticals for substantive discussions, and good things will happen.

Our retreats are intimate, curated gatherings, where everyone is a speaker, and everyone is a listener. We pride ourselves in providing an environment where you can relax, connect with other attendees, and at the same time, take a deep dive into vigorous dialogue with some of the top players in the industry. You’ll leave our events with new insights and lasting connections. 

This Fall, we will host our LegalTech Workshop at Bonny Doon: the 10th Anniversary Edition on September 17th as well as our first ever Robotics Event on October 6th in Bonny Doon.

534 startups

Showcased at our Workshops as of Summer 2026

50 Workshops

And counting…

"Doon Insights is a special kind of event. They are the right group of people in the right environment. Something about the way Howard’s team runs them helps people switch their mental state from busy to reflective, making the conversations meaningful and real. That personal setting is not something you get in many industry events. It’s why Doon events are the bookend to the California trips for many far-flung folks in my industry.”

Prescott Watson, RedBlue Capital

Scott Kennedy

Senior Adviser and Trustee Chair in Chinese Business and Economics, writes after his attendance at Mobility Tech in 5D on April 20th, 2023.

"Pursuing Strategic Competition: Relative Competitive Position Matters" CSIS Commentary, May 31st, 2023

“Everyone besides myself at the recent conference in California was either a tech entrepreneur or an investor…

…the gathering was valuable in helping potentially reframe some of the problems policymakers in the United States and its friends are trying to solve.”