A Field Guide about the Workplace, its Leaders, and Becoming Better.

Welcome to Volume Ten of the 2026 StartupExperts at Work Field Guide — a practical resource for navigating the workplace, leading with intention, and becoming better at what we do. This isn’t a traditional newsletter. It’s a curated Field Guide designed to share ideas, tools, and resources you can actually use in your work right now.

From the desk of Jesse Freese

The past few weeks have been a strong reminder of why we built StartupExperts in the first place; there is a real power in showing up for others, staying curious, and learning alongside people you respect. From rethinking what “sales” really means for at the new Snafu Conference in Oakland, to intentionally hosting a longform workshop experience at Transform in Las Vegas, to seeing the same energy show up across our gatherings in Austin and Boston one thing is clear…people are craving to connect, share what they’re learning, and invest in each other.

I’m also starting to see a bigger opportunity for StartupExperts.

March was a big month for us with Transform — we welcomed 70 new members and saw incredible engagement across the community. From meaningful conversations to in-person gatherings for 150+ members, Transform was a strong reminder of the power of this network. We also captured some of that through podcast interviews with members and partners, all of which is now live on our website.

Here’s a quick rundown of interesting reads and insights we found valuable this month:

Plus, we’re spotlighting a few standout community members making an impact — you’ll definitely want to meet and follow Kate Holsapple and Dhanya Madhusudan!

We’re continuing the momentum from Transform with a strong lineup of opportunities to connect, learn, and engage across the StartupExperts community. From curated dinners and local gatherings to partner-led sessions and member-driven conversations, there are plenty of ways to stay involved over the coming weeks.

Whether you’re joining us in person or tapping into partner events, these moments are designed to bring leaders together, spark meaningful conversations, and deepen relationships across the community. Here’s a snapshot of what’s coming up:

In this guest post, Manifest Law, a StartupExperts partner, breaks down how the H-1B lottery has shifted from a largely random process to a more strategic one under the new wage-weighted system. The article also highlights key variables to watch — including the potential expiration of the $100,000 fee and proposed wage increases — and what they could mean for future lottery competitiveness. If you are seeking to understand what’s happening today, this resource will be your field guide.