Turning “Ouch” into “Aha” since 2020

What is Ugly Talk?

The first honest room most founders ever walk into. An invite-only, in-person event series for active startup founders and co-founders. The hard calls. The costly mistakes. The parts that never made the press release.

Hear what actually happened, what it cost, and what they'd do differently. Not the highlight reel.

Event Structure

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The Talk

Founders say the quiet parts out loud. Real decisions, real costs, and lessons you can use tomorrow.

Panel Reel_480P.mp4

Meet the founders who built it the hard way.

Operators with scars, not polished talking heads. Specific wins, honest misses, and lessons worth stealing.

Field-tested insights with real numbers.

What worked. What failed. What the numbers said. Leave with plays to try and landmines to avoid.

Ask, challenge, and get answers.

Skip the polite nodding. Ask your question, press for specifics, and hear how others tackle the same problems.

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The Mixer

Compare notes, challenge assumptions, and meet founders working through the same problems.

The Mixer_480P.mp4

Meet founders in the same fight.

Meet people building right now. Not networking for sport.

Ask the questions you can't ask anywhere else.

Where did they get stuck? What helped? What do they wish they'd known sooner?

Find the people who make you sharper.

Meet the people who send a useful intro tomorrow, not a "let's circle back" email.

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Ugly Talk: Marketing Leadership in West Loop Chicago

What to Expect

• 3 to 4 founders in panel and 1 moderator
• Free for targeted founders, with a short approval process to keep the room high-signal

Run of Show

• 30 minutes: Reception and networking
• 45 minutes: The Talk
• 15 minutes: Audience Q&A
• 60 minutes: The Mixer

Three Types of Ugly Talks

Three formats. From intimate local rooms to a regional stage.

Ugly Talk Independent

mute SF Design UT (1).mp4

Community-organized and intentionally intimate.

• Panels feature founders and community leaders.
• Hosted by local organizers.
• Runs monthly, with the most room for new ideas and incubator-style concepts.
• Attendees: 30 to 50.

Ugly Talk Signature

mute UT Miami.mp4

City-based. Locally connected. Built to travel beyond the room.

• Panels feature founders behind emerging and breakout brands.
• Runs monthly, co-hosted with a city Director and engaged sponsors.
• Strong social media exposure.
• Recorded for the Ugly Talk podcast and YouTube channel.
• Attendees: 75 to 150.

Ugly Talk Main Stage

Mute UT Ecomm Shopify May 2025.mp4

Our regional stage. The biggest names and widest reach.

• Panels feature founders behind well-known companies.
• Runs quarterly, hosted by Ugly Talk HQ and engaged sponsors.
• Maximum social media exposure.
• Recorded for the Ugly Talk podcast and YouTube channel.
• Attendees: 150 to 300.

Where is Ugly Talk happening?

Ugly Talk started in Chicago in 2020. Now it runs in 12 cities, with more launching soon.

Current chapters include:

Who comes to Ugly Talk?

Audience Breakdown

Mostly active startup founders and co-founders. Here's a closer look at who's in the room.

Recent Audience feedback

Value for attendees

Last updated March 6, 2026