As someone whose in a similar boat I think your question would be better suited with some clarifications. (Or maybe it's just leetcode grinding getting to me.)
who are the "Right Connections"...
People with lots of startup cash?
Smart programmers?
Good designers?
The most influential people at your 9-5 job?
I'll take a stab at your question though.
Main places now are online, Twitter/Discord, here and IRC if you're curious. Local tech scenes vary, tbh most tech people like to stay inside in my experience so YMMV.
In my experience if you build cool stuff or get involved in projects that's a great way to meet people. Also in my experience if you have a 9-5 + a personal life it's very hard to balance what is essentially a second job while keeping everything together.
Getting into a large tech company def doesn't hurt, and neither does going to Stanford lol.
