Exclusive Gathering for Young Creatives in NYC
Last Saturday night, Eldridge Terrace on the Lower East Side buzzed with energy as a handpicked group of Gen Z creators and entrepreneurs mingled over absinthe, marveling at magicians, and dancing to house beats until the early hours. The door policy was strict: if you weren’t on the guest list, you were out of luck.
This marked the 20th meet-up of 3rd Space, a highly coveted monthly event that’s turned into a hot ticket for ambitious young New Yorkers. Among the guests were Teddy Warner, a 19-year-old Thiel fellow working on emotional robots, and Mark Baggian, 26, founder of HyperCard, an innovative credit card solution supported by tech investor Sam Altman.
Jake Sacks, who co-founded the series, shared that they receive nearly 100 requests for entry each week. However, fewer than 3% of applicants typically make it to the actual events, which are intimate dinners for about 30 people, costing around $150 each. Most attendees are referred by existing guests, and Sacks takes the time to vet applications over the phone to ensure compatibility.
“It’s about personality and whether you’re doing something significant,” he mentioned. “In New York, there’s a massive network for founders and investors, but we lack a venue for the top 1%, especially young people, to connect and collaborate.”
Each dinner invites thirty guests, three of whom present their projects, ranging from short films to startup pitches. Guests include individuals like Eli Taylor-Lemirenn from Posh and Mitch Ritter, who designed a million-dollar costume for a high-profile boxing match. These gatherings encourage creativity and facilitate networking among like-minded individuals.
Sacks, who previously studied entrepreneurship at USC, has turned 3rd Space into his full-time venture, with fresh sponsorship funding. He draws inspiration from the Medici family, envisioning gatherings that foster collaboration across various fields.
Connection is the essence of 3rd Space, which many attendees find missing in their lives. Sophia Wilson, 25, reflected on how the pandemic disrupted social skill development for her generation, saying, “We’re reclaiming those years.”
The concept of 3rd Space emerged for Sacks back in March 2022 while he was still at USC, feeling disconnected from other entrepreneurs. After graduating in 2024, he pitched the idea in New York and refined it alongside co-founder Sofia Almendral, 23.
The group’s membership now encompasses not just traditional entrepreneurs but also those curating unique personal brands. In previous dinners, notable figures such as Michael Vito Valentino, editor-in-chief of a significant media company, connected with other industry leaders.
Most attendees are under 30, and Sachs underscores the importance of participants being invested in mutual growth. He believes that those who expect everything to come easily are generally less inclined to share their networks.
The impact is palpable. For instance, designer Chuck Ryan met Robbie Stinchcomb at a dinner, leading to collaborations that continue to thrive. Ryan noted the unique atmosphere, stating, “This was an actual human doing the work.”
Sachs is now developing a broader ecosystem surrounding 3rd Space, with plans for a newsletter and potentially a media company that promotes innovative pairings among young creators.
The vision behind 3rd Space directly counters the narrative that Gen Z is solely focused on screens and isolation. “We need more spaces like this that prepare us for success,” Vanessa Wilkes, a 26-year-old painter, commented, questioning why young people invest in New York living if they aren’t embracing its vibrant opportunities.
