Founder Notes
I want people to make plans without me
If you meet someone at Anchor and start hanging out without us organizing it, good. That’s what I want.
About November 2026Read the story: I want people to make plans without meFounder of Anchor · Writer
Hammad
Manjra.
I’m Hammad. I’m from Santa Monica and moved to New York in 2024 after college.
I didn’t know anyone here and wanted to make friends outside work, so I started hosting events. That became Anchor. We now host events in New York, LA, and San Francisco.
I work on Anchor alongside my job at BlackRock. Most of my time goes into finding venues, talking to partners, and putting the events together. I write about some of it here.
Hammad on LinkedInThe story behind Anchor
Stories by Hammad.
Founder Notes
Taking this back to LA
In August 2025, we took Analyst Connect from New York to LA. More than 200 people RSVP’d. I got to bring it home.
About August 2025Read the story: Taking this back to LAFounder Notes
The first event was 25 people in a park
Twenty-five people came to our first gathering. It gave me a reason to host another, and a few things I wanted to change.
About Summer 2025Read the story: The first event was 25 people in a parkFounder Notes
I moved to New York without knowing anyone
I came here for a job at BlackRock. Finding people to spend time with outside work was something I had to figure out once I got here.
About 2024Read the story: I moved to New York without knowing anyoneEvent Stories
Bringing Anchor to San Francisco
My friend Viraj and I put together Anchor’s first event in the Bay for May 8.
About May 2026Read the story: Bringing Anchor to San FranciscoEvent Stories
We booked an art gallery in Williamsburg
The plan for our February 8 gathering at Seven House Art Gallery.
About February 2026Read the story: We booked an art gallery in Williamsburg