Factory Network

Last Wednesday, Factory Berlin’s underground event space transformed into a hub of exploration, introspection, and dialogue with the second edition of TE:AR ✨ This edition, "Digital Mirrors," dove deep into our relationship with technology, raising questions about autonomy, intimacy, and collective futures in a world increasingly shaped by algorithms. From installations by Tabitha Swanson, Orhun Mersin, Yağmur Uçkunkaya, and Portrait XO, to live performances merging music and dance, the event was an experiential journey. The moderated conversation afterwards shed light on the intersection of disciplines, uncovering the importance of adaptability and shared agency in shaping our technological futures. 𝐒𝐨𝐦𝐞 𝐤𝐞𝐲 𝐭𝐚𝐤𝐞𝐚𝐰𝐚𝐲𝐬: 💡 Interdisciplinary collaboration is helping to solve today’s complex challenges. 💡 Technology can be both a tool for empowerment and a force of control—it’s up to us to decide how we shape our agency. 💡 Art is a powerful lens for reflecting on our digital lives and imagining alternative futures. The evening was elevated by incredible DJ sets by Lenny Posso and Jazz Central, who turned our questions into rhythm and kept the energy alive. 🪩🎶 As the final Factory Berlin event of 2024, it was the perfect way to close out the year—with inspiration, connection, and reflection. Thank you to everyone who joined us and made it so special. Let’s carry this energy into 2025! #Tech #Art #TEAR #DigitalMirrors #CommunityEvents #ArtAndTechnology #AIAndSociety

𝐖𝐞’𝐫𝐞 𝐞𝐱𝐜𝐢𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐨 𝐜𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐛𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐚 𝐝𝐨𝐮𝐛𝐥𝐞 𝐰𝐢𝐧 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐓𝐨𝐫𝐩𝐨𝐫 𝐆𝐚𝐦𝐞𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐅𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐲 𝐍𝐞𝐭𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐤 𝐦𝐞𝐦𝐛𝐞𝐫 𝐀𝐭𝐚 𝐒𝐞𝐫𝐠𝐞𝐲 𝐍𝐨𝐰𝐚𝐤! In just one month, Torpor Games has been honored with the Creative & Cultural Pioneers Award from the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action, as well as the Berlin Tech Awards 2024 for Games. Torpor Games is known for its work in the Suzerain Universe, a fictional world filled with political depth and moral complexity. In Suzerain, players step into the role of a newly elected president navigating a fragile democracy, while The Conformist casts players as a propagandist striving to influence the first multi-party elections in a post-civil war society. Both titles explore power, morality, and societal change through thoughtful storytelling and strategy. These awards are a reflection of the hard work and vision of the entire team. A special mention to co-founders Ilke Karademir and Ozgun Kilit, and everyone who supported the studio’s journey. Ata dedicated these achievements to his late father, Horst Nowak, whose belief in him helped lay the foundation for the studio’s success. Congratulations to Ata, Torpor Games, and all the creators pushing cultural innovation forward! #CreativePioneers #IndieGames #CulturalInnovation

𝐓𝐄:𝐀𝐑 – 𝐃𝐢𝐠𝐢𝐭𝐚𝐥 𝐌𝐢𝐫𝐫𝐨𝐫𝐬 : 𝐃𝐞𝐜𝐞𝐦𝐛𝐞𝐫 𝟏𝟖𝐭𝐡 𝐟𝐫𝐨𝐦 𝟏𝟖:𝟎𝟎 𝐨𝐧𝐰𝐚𝐫𝐝𝐬 𝐚𝐭 𝐅𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐲 𝐁𝐞𝐫𝐥𝐢𝐧 𝐌𝐢𝐭𝐭𝐞. Digital Mirrors will tackle some of today’s most pressing questions. As AI systems and tech corporations increasingly shape our lives, how do we maintain autonomy? What new forms of intimacy and control emerge when algorithms interpret our emotions? And how can communities actively influence these evolving dynamics? The evening features innovative installations by Tabitha Swanson, Orhun Mersin & Yagmur Uckunkaya, and Portrait XO, each exploring emotion-responsive interfaces and human-AI interactions. Tabitha Swanson is a multi-disciplinary designer, creative technologist, and artist who explores the intersection of technology and human emotion through immersive installations. Orhun Mersin is a performer and creative technologist interested in the choreographic material that arises from the intersection of the digital realm, body, and movement. Yağmur Uçkunkaya works with AI, art, and sound to investigate their intersections and implications. Portrait XO is an independent researcher and transdisciplinary artist recognized for her work in sonic innovation with AI audio pioneers Dadabots. Other highlights include: 👉 A live performance blending dance, music, and AI dialogue 👉 An artist panel delving into the interplay of art and technology 👉 A DJ set to cap off the night This event continues TE:AR’s mission to inspire critical thinking and collective action at the intersection of tech, art and human experience. Limited spots. Register now to secure your spot - LINK IN COMMENTS. #ArtMeetsTech #AI #DigitalMirrors #CommunityEvent

Luck is often perceived as a mystical force, a game of chance, or a token like a rabbit's foot in the business world. But what if luck isn’t merely random? What if it’s a real, actionable factor that can shape your business strategy? Marketing specialist Christian Pyrros recently introduced us to The Luck Factor, by author and journalist Max Gunther, and how it can help us attract and harness more luck in business and life. He shared his personal journey of applying the book’s five principles, demonstrating how integrating these into daily life can lead to greater success, resilience, and consistency. Here are the key takeaways from the session: 𝟭. 𝗟𝘂𝗰𝗸 𝗖𝗮𝗻 𝗕𝗲 𝗖𝘂𝗹𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗱 Expand Your Spiderweb Structure: Luck often flows through human connections. Building a wide network of meaningful relationships increases exposure to opportunities. 🍀 Practical Tip: Start conversations with strangers, follow up with acquaintances, and nurture existing connections. 𝟮. 𝗛𝘂𝗻𝗰𝗵𝗲𝘀 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗧𝗼𝗼𝗹𝘀 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗦𝘂𝗰𝗰𝗲𝘀𝘀 Trust Your Intuition: Hunches are subconscious conclusions based on real but unprocessed data. Cultivating and acting on hunches can lead to better decisions. - Always verify your gut feeling against your experience. - Avoid letting hopes or fears masquerade as hunches. 🍀 Practical Tip: Take time to reflect on your gut feelings, especially in critical moments. 𝟯. 𝗕𝗼𝗹𝗱𝗻𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝗗𝗿𝗶𝘃𝗲𝘀 𝗙𝗼𝗿𝘁𝘂𝗻𝗲 Be Ready to Zigzag: Lucky people embrace opportunities, even if it means deviating from their plans. Boldness is about calculated risks, not recklessness. Avoid “analysis paralysis” by acting when the facts are sufficient, even if incomplete. 🍀 Practical Tip: Challenge yourself to step out of your comfort zone regularly by seizing unexpected chances. 𝟰. 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗥𝗮𝘁𝗰𝗵𝗲𝘁 𝗘𝗳𝗳𝗲𝗰𝘁 𝗣𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗲𝗿𝘃𝗲𝘀 𝗚𝗮𝗶𝗻𝘀 Cut Losses Quickly: Lucky individuals avoid being trapped in bad situations by admitting mistakes and walking away early. - Don’t cling to sunk costs (time, money, or effort). 🍀 Practical Tip: Regularly evaluate your current commitments and let go of ventures that no longer serve you. 𝟱. 𝗕𝗮𝗹𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗣𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗺𝗶𝘀𝗺 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗢𝗽𝘁𝗶𝗺𝗶𝘀𝗺 Prepare for the Worst, Stay Open to the Best: Lucky people combine preparedness for challenges (Murphy’s Law) with an openness to opportunities. - Accept life’s uncertainty and avoid rigid plans. - Allow good luck to pull you in unexpected directions. 🍀 Practical Tip: Before starting a project, identify potential challenges and preemptively plan responses. Luck is not entirely random—it is influenced by our mindset, habits, and the actions we take. By cultivating networks, refining intuition, being bold, cutting losses, and balancing optimism with realism, we can increase our chances of success in both business and life.

𝗧𝗮𝗹𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗶𝘀𝗻’𝘁 𝗷𝘂𝘀𝘁 𝗽𝗮𝗿𝘁 𝗼𝗳 𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗲𝗰𝗼𝘀𝘆𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗺—𝗶𝘁 𝗶𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘆 𝗳𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗱𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝘂𝗽𝗼𝗻 𝘄𝗵𝗶𝗰𝗵 𝘄𝗲 𝗯𝘂𝗶𝗹𝗱, 𝗴𝗿𝗼𝘄, 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗿𝗶𝘃𝗲. By connecting talent across industries, disciplines, and borders, we create a space where collaboration isn’t just encouraged—it’s our DNA. This week, we took the motto internally as the whole Factory Network team gathered for the first time for an inspiring 2025 vision workshop hosted by our founder, Udo Schloemer. Bringing together representatives from all companies within our network—teech Education GmbH, heyinvite, JMES World and more—the event was a celebration of collaboration and our shared future. The workshop featured a collaborative brainstorming session where diverse perspectives came together to generate actionable ideas. Following a delicious lunch, we engaged in interactive sessions designed to tap into our collective expertise across companies. The day concluded with networking over Glühwein by the lake, followed by an evening of food, music, and dancing (lucky to have our own DJ within the team, Lucia Lilen Heffner). As we look forward to 2025, we’re excited to build on this momentum. The thinkers, dreamers, and doers who make up our community are the sparks of creativity and the drivers of innovation. Together, we’ll continue creating an ecosystem where talent thrives, ideas take shape, and innovation flourishes.

Mastering Fundraising Strategies for Startups Today, HubSpot For Startups hosted an incredible Fundraising Strategy Workshop in our newly upgraded event space at Factory Berlin in Mitte. The event provided founders with exclusive insights into elevating their fundraising strategies to new heights. The hands-on session guided participants through essential topics like crafting the perfect pitch, understanding investor expectations, and identifying the right funding sources for their startups. Packed with actionable advice, the workshop empowered founders to confidently prepare for their next big fundraising round. Our community had the opportunity to connect with experts and fellow entrepreneurs in a collaborative environment. The revamped event space added to the experience, offering a modern and inspiring setting for meaningful learning and networking. A huge thank you to HubSpot For Startups for hosting this impactful event and for being such a valued partner in supporting our community of founders. Stay tuned at our calendar for more insightful events 🗓️ #StartupFunding #PitchingToInvestors #FundraisingWorkshop

Sales isn’t just for salespeople – it’s a vital skill for almost every business. We’re hosting an exclusive workshop to help founders and marketers break free from outdated sales tactics, tackle common mistakes, and learn cutting-edge strategies to supercharge your B2B outbound sales game. This is your chance to learn, ask questions, and take your skills to the next level. Get your ticket in the link below 👇

We’re thrilled to announce that community member startup Everest Carbon has successfully launched, raising an impressive $3 million in funding to commercialize its groundbreaking technology. Founded by Pascal Michel, Everest Carbon is tackling one of the climate crisis's biggest challenges: reliable and scalable carbon removal measurement. Everest Carbon’s innovative Enhanced Rock Weathering (ERW) sensor technology provides real-time, in-field measurements of carbon removal, eliminating the need for expensive and labor-intensive lab analyses. By leveraging a patented ion-exchange resin system, their sensor tracks the transformation of CO₂ into carbonate alkalinity directly in the soil, a breakthrough that reduces monitoring costs by over 90%. This funding will help Everest Carbon scale its solution, paving the way for ERW to become a key player in the global carbon removal industry. Congratulations Pascal Michel Matthias Ginterseder and Jonte Boysen for this milestone achievement! #CarbonRemoval #ClimateTech 

Community member Constanze Büchner, Founder & CEO of CrewLinQ, recently took part in a groundbreaking moment for German startups. As one of twelve female founders selected to join Economic Minister Robert Habeck on an official delegation to the Web Summit in Lisbon, she became part of a powerful statement on diversity and innovation. The delegation, composed entirely of women, took off aboard a government A350 jet, spotlighting female leaders in Germany’s startup ecosystem. "This trip wasn’t just about attending the Web Summit—it was about setting an example. Women can and must be part of the future of startups in Germany" Constanze said. With Minister Habeck emphasizing the need for more women in business and startups, the initiative comes at a crucial time to empower the next generation of female entrepreneurs and demonstrate that innovation knows no gender. #womeninstartups #innovationleadership #diversityintech

🐵 vs. 🐉: Are you team monkey or team dragon?  Hopefully, neither—because according to NordPass research, both words rank among the most common (and most vulnerable) corporate passwords. 😱  This week our campus transformed into a hub of tech-savvy fun as founders and techies joined us for Cybersecurity Mythbusters: Fact vs. Fiction Trivia Challenge. From debunking password myths (yes, "123456" is also still a thing) to spotting phishing scams, the event challenged participants to rethink their digital habits and guests walked away with actionable tips to build stronger security strategies, all while having a little fun. Thanks to NordPass's team Simas Žvirblis Adele Jaskunaite for coming to Berlin and for equipping our community with tools to thrive securely in the ever-evolving digital world.  Missed this one? Don’t worry—stay tuned for our upcoming events. Until then, maybe rethink that password 😌 .