First Block Live - From Zero to $50M ARR in 4 months: Inside Handshake, hosted by Notion
Few startups scale like this. Handshake AI hit $50M ARR just four months after launch — putting it on track to potentially surpass $100M within its first year. For founders, this isn’t just a growth story, it’s a masterclass in finding market fit, moving fast, and building for category leadership.
Garrett will share:
How they built and leveraged its existing network of 1,500 universities and 18M students and alumni to launch and scale Handshake AI.
The startup playbook behind hitting $50M ARR in record time
Why trust, credibility, and distribution are the real differentiators in AI.
Lessons for founders chasing category leadership in an era of rapid AI adoption.
Moderated by Katy Shields, Chief People officer at Notion.
Agenda
5:30 PM – Check-in & mingling (live recording - arrive on time)
6:00 PM – Fireside chat + live audience Q&A
7:00 PM – Networking & light refreshments
8:00 PM – Event close
Who’s in the Room
This is an in-person recording of First Block in San Francisco. Expect a packed room of top AI founders and builders—come for the content, stay for the community.
Catch previous episodes of First Block with founders of Cursor, Mercor, Clay, Anthropic, Rippling, and more.
About Notion
The AI workspace that works for you. Startups move fast — and Notion helps you move faster. From idea to IPO, build docs, manage projects, and run your team in one connected workspace powered by Notion AI. Apply now to get up to 6 months of Notion’s Business plan with Notion AI included — a $12,000 value.