California’s builders,
in one room.
A high-signal community for founders, engineers, designers, researchers, and student builders who are actually shipping. GABA California is a selective network for ambitious people building across the state.
- Free to join
- Application only
- Reviewed by builders
California has no shortage of ambitious people. The problem is finding the right room.
GABA California exists to put serious builders in the same room — online and in person — so they can collaborate, find teammates, share opportunities, and ship together. Not another networking event. Not another dead Discord. A working community for people who build.
Great things in business are never done by one person. They’re done by a team of people.
Built for California’s next generation of builders.
What you get.
Six reasons to be in the room — swipe, click the arrows, or use the dots below.
An Active Community
A focused room of ambitious builders, not another massive server that goes quiet after week one.
The bar is high. The room is better because of it.
Consider this an open door, not a gate.
- You're actively building somethingA startup, product, research project, open-source project, or serious side project.
- You shipIt doesn't need to be finished. Progress matters more than perfection.
- You want momentumYou're looking for collaborators and opportunities, not another inactive group chat.
- You give backYou share knowledge, feedback, introductions, and opportunities with other members.
- California is part of your storyYou live, study, work, build, or have meaningful ties to California.
Three steps.
Apply
~3 minutesTell us what you're building, what you've done, and what you're looking for.
Get Reviewed
Within a few daysApplications are reviewed for builder mindset, initiative, projects, and contribution to the community.
Join & Build
After acceptanceAccepted members receive onboarding instructions and access to the community.
Takes about 3 minutes. No résumé required.
Our Partners
Organizations helping us create more opportunities for California’s builders.
NSRI
GABA partners with NSRI to host research hackathons and provide research-related opportunities to GABA members.
MIS
A long-term partner that helps host hackathons, both in-person and online, and provides prizes and internship opportunities.
Svara
Partner for our previous hackathon — provided a Pro tier of its product to participants.
OCS
A long-term partner that previously hosted an exchange event involving students from Oman and Georgia, with more events planned.Frequently asked.
Yes — GABA California is free to join unless the chapter later announces otherwise. We'd rather have the right builders in the room than put a paywall in front of them.
Stop building alone.
Find the people who will help you ship.
- Free to join
- Application only
- ~3 minute application