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Event Columbus Startup Week starts on May 5, 2026, 8:00:00 AM (America/New_York)
Design for What Matters. Not Just What’s Possible
Location: Meridian - 5/5/26, 2:00 PM - 5/5/26, 2:45 PM (America/New_York) (45 minutes)
Monica (Johnson) Weiler
Monica (Johnson) Weiler

Why understanding what people feel and dream is the hidden differentiator in the AI era.

The angle we're bringing is based on a pattern we're seeing across industries right now. Startups can build faster than ever, especially with AI, but many are still struggling because they are either building the wrong thing really fast or relying on surface-level validation that creates a false sense of confidence.

At the same time, there is a shift happening where human insight (designing for emotions) is becoming a real competitive advantage. People are increasingly seeking out real, lived experiences and perspectives because in a world of generated content, what feels real matters more.

This session is designed to help founders step back before they scale and get clarity on what actually matters. It will focus on how to move beyond what people 'say' and better understand what they feel, fear, and aspire to so they can design solutions that truly resonate and differentiate.