Happy Hours
Hackfort Happy Hours
Connect with the Treasure Valley tech community in a relaxed and social setting.
Here’s what you can expect:
• Networking •
Mingle with fellow tech enthusiasts, entrepreneurs, and professionals.
• Inspiration •
Share ideas and get inspired by
innovative projects and discussions.
• Knowledge Sharing •
Learn from experts and discover
the latest trends in technology.
• Community •
Enjoy drinks and conversation with
like-minded individuals.
Mark your calendar and join us for an evening of tech, networking, and fun!
Sip into the New Year at our HAPPY HOUR
January 22
Date: January 22, 2026
Time: 5 – 7 PM
Location: Hap Hap Lounge
Hackfort Happy Hour is back, and we’re starting the year strong! Join us on January 22 from 5–7 PM at the Hap Hap Lounge (downtown Boise) for an evening of community, conversation, and learning.
What’s on tap: two exciting talks
Building With Community:
How FromBoise Grew by Earning Trust
Marissa Lovell – Founder, FromBoise
Marissa will share the story of FromBoise: from the original idea and what Boise was missing, to how it evolved into the platform it is today. She’ll talk about:
• Building and experimenting with a community-first platform
• Earning trust and staying authentic
• Growing something rooted in community, not just content
Run by a 2-person team, FromBoise now reaches 70,000+ people each week, with 23,000 newsletter subscribers and 45,000+ social followers.
Hardware Development
Lessons Learned (the Hard Way)
Ryan Gray – Co-founder, SGW Designworks
Since 2008, SGW Designworks has helped bring 110+ products to market and earned 8 product design awards. Ryan will walk through the hard-earned lessons that can make or break a hardware product development project.
Start the year by connecting with Boise’s tech, design, and startup community.
Good people guaranteed. First drink on us!
RSVP (21+) today and be part of the conversation.
Hap Hap Lounge
AUG.
21
@Trailhead
OCT.
30
@Hap Hap Lounge
NOV.
20
@Hap Hap Lounge
JAN.
22
@Hap Hap Lounge
FEB.
26
@Hap Hap Lounge
Previous Events
AUG.
21
@Trailhead
Our first Happy Hour of the season featured Mike Gough and Aaron McCulloch sharing how film music and sound design are created, from organic samples to custom synths, turning technical precision into emotional storytelling.
We also heard from Joseph Haskin and Marne Elmore, who introduced Illuminate, the annual projection-art festival that transforms Garden City’s streets into an immersive, walkable gallery spotlighting local and underrepresented artists.
OCT.
30
@Hap Hap Lounge
On October 30, 2025, Hackfort Happy Hour at Hap Hap Lounge brought together Boise’s tech and creative community for an evening of AI insights, networking, and Hackfort updates. The event featured:
• Scott Falconer: Applied AI leader and author of Managing AI, who shared “Applied AI Essentials: 10 Rules for Real-World Success”, cutting through the noise with practical lessons from real-world AI adoption.
• Steve Pentland: Researcher, professor, and founder of Rhetorix Lab, who explored how his video-based assessment platform is transforming education and training by restoring academic integrity, elevating student voice, and emphasizing the human skills AI can’t replace.
Two unique perspectives – industry and education – came together for an engaging evening of conversation and connection.
Catch the full talks now on the Hackfort YouTube channel!
NOV.
20
@Hap Hap Lounge
The evening featured a practical cybersecurity panel for freelancers, founders, and small businesses: guided by moderator Jacob Grinwis and panelists Heather Vugrin, Aaron Brinton, and Ridhi Tatineni. They shared simple habits, common pitfalls, and real-world lessons that anyone can use to strengthen their digital security. The core message: small, consistent steps can make a big impact in protecting your work, your clients, and the long-term health of your business.
Catch the full talks now on the Hackfort YouTube channel!