Karen Brieger’s Post

Fast Growth Icons Manchester, is an invitation-only meeting of 80 founders and CEOs of the most successful scale-ups in the region, on 5th and 6th November 2024. We start with a dinner at The Stock Exchange Saloon and Grill followed by a day of meaningful conversations, insightful presentations and luxurious service at The Edwardian Manchester, A Radisson Collection Hotel. The conversations are centred around the challenges of scaling a business and preparing founders for their next big financial event. Full of practical tips around strategy, operations and execution - the atmosphere with 80 founders or CEOs of successful scale-ups is supercharged with open and honest conversations, new friendships and ideas people can implement immediately. This is the second iteration of an event many consider their 'favourite event' of the year. “Wonderful to meet fellow entrepreneurs who were very generous with their learnings and are all just amazingly smart people!” Bobby Thandi, Founder & CEO, XR Games “The right people in the right room sharing their challenges candidly which is rare to find. A hugely valuable founder & CEO peer network.” Michael Bristow, CEO, CrowdProperty “A rare opportunity to meet amazing founders, share ideas, help each other and make new friends” Colette Wyatt, CEO, Evolved The thing that surprised me the most was how honest, sometimes vulnerable, most people were willing to be about their own experiences, I found this inspiring and motivating.” Simon Steele, CEO & Co-Founder Virtue Technologies Limited Co-hosted by Evelyn Partners, haysmacintyre, Asserson, Inflexion, 50% of the attendees have been referred to us personally by founders and CEOs who attended last year. To apply to attend, go to https://lnkd.in/dT7GutBs and click on the Apply button at the footer (founders, co-founders, CEOs of digitally enabled scaleups only please).

🕰️ Throwback Thursday: A Journey Through Time 🚀 🌟 Five Years of Growth, Learning, and Evolution! Five + years ago, I embarked on an incredible journey with just an idea and a deep passion for change. Today, I take a moment to look back and appreciate how far we've come. It's not just about the milestones we've reached, but the lessons we've learned and the growth we've experienced. ⬇️ See below a picture from the early days at The Pivotal Companies! (Before we became TPC) 🛠️ From Humble Beginnings... Our first office was in the dining room of my house, and is vastly different in how we operate today. Back then, it was just a small room filled with big ideas. Our early days were fueled by late nights, endless cups of coffee, and an unshakeable belief in what we could achieve. We showed up for ourselves early and eager each and every day. 🌱 Growth and iMPACT Today, The Pivotal Companies stands as a testament to the power of persistence and vision. We've not only expanded our team and scaled our operations but also significantly magnified our iMPACT. Each project we undertake is a step towards a more innovative future. 🔗 The Road Ahead Looking ahead, we remain committed to pushing boundaries and exploring new horizons. Our past is full of invaluable experiences, and our future is bright with possibilities. 🙏 A Heartfelt Thank You To our clients, partners, and the fantastic team that makes everything possible, thank you for being a PIVOTAL part of our journey. Here’s to continuing our journey of growth and transformation together! 👀 Stay Tuned Keep following us for more updates and behind-the-scenes looks at how we're transforming the industry and making a difference with each step forward. #ThrowbackThursday #Entrepreneurship #BusinessGrowth #StartupLife #Innovation #Journey #Reflection #ThankYou #ThePivotalCompanies

There are so many interesting discussions happening at London Tech Week. One founder, CEO, and investor discussion that has kept me thinking is "The Nuts and Bolts of Building Your Own Business" with panelists Gerard Grech, Tom Bohills, Chris Woodward-Jones and Galia Beer-Gabel. Here are some of the insights gained: 💡 The importance of engaging a coach early to help the founder “let go” of aspects of the business in preparation for scaling. 💡 The chances of success and survival are greater if you have a co-founder, and the benefits that come with having a co-pilot to digest and strategize your journey. 💡 Ensure that you are intentional and take the time to define your values as a founder. 💡 Recognise what you are and aren’t good at early on; find processes and people to fill the gaps. You can’t be everyone and everything all of the time. 💡Consider trademarking your business. 💡 It’s okay to be vulnerable - in fact, it’s really helpful, especially when leveraging the expertise of your board and advisors; it makes your product better. 💡 Recognise that you are one of many investments for your investors - use their time wisely. 💡 The growing pains of trusting the people you hire to do the building for you. 💡 Advocacy being a key marker of product-market fit. 💡 Choosing investors for your business that are compatible with you, beyond the funding that they offer. 💡 Key considerations in PMF - deciding to either swim in ‘red waters’ (i.e., bloody waters) where products are already available and your mission is to make your offering better, or go into entirely new markets. So much food for thought. Thank you, panelists. Founders and CEOs, do these points resonate with you? Any other insights to add from your experience? #people #culture #startup #scaleup #coaching #LTW2024

🎨 Unlocking Creativity and Collaboration: Lessons from and for Entrepreneurs 🖌 Last week, I had the pleasure of attending the event Creatives Meetup filled with energy, ideas, and the huge potential of creative entrepreneurship. It was a day where like-minded individuals came together to learn, meet, and cocreate, organised by the Startup Refugees. Here are some key takeaways from the day that have been resonating with me: 💡 Celebrate Every Achievement: No milestone is too small! In a world obsessed with “big wins,” it was a refreshing reminder from Ojuolape Akinwunmi to take joy in every step. This mentality helps keep our creative energy alive and flowing. 💡 Dare to Be Different: Whether in the inspiring talk by Markus Rytinki on creative entrepreneurship or the dynamic workshops throughout the day, one thing stood out: be your own ambassador. Talk about your unique experiences. Creativity thrives in individuality and daring to be different sets you apart. 💡 Your Passion Is Your Foundation: The journey starts with your passion. Focus on nurturing it, and the rest - success, recognition, opportunities - will follow. Start small but dream big. Beyond the talks and workshops, the event was a perfect blend of connection and collaboration - from advisory conversations with Zara Kukkamaa for BusinessOulu about marketing to engaging discussions with Heikki Myllylahti from Oulu Urban Culture ry and Ulla Pirkola from Oulu2026 - European Capital of Culture 2026 on cultural climate change. Creativity is risky, but it’s also the spark that drives innovation. To stay young - professionally and personally - we must keep creating, keep risking, and keep celebrating every moment of growth. Thank you to all the speakers, organisers, and attendees for such an inspiring day! ✨ 🌟 Here’s to daring, dreaming, and making things happen! 🦄 #Creativity #Collaboration #Culture #CreativeEntrepreneurship #CelebrateSuccess #StartupCommunity #DareToBeDifferent

Founders Live Edinburgh is BACK! 🚀 🔥 ✨ ⭐️ 🖐️ January 16th, 2025 - Mark your calendars. I'll be announcing our amazing Sponsors later this week! There’s nothing quite like Founders Live. It’s not just about pitching (although the 99-second pitches and 4-minute Q&A format is pure adrenaline). It’s about big ideas, bold leaps, and the connections that push you forward. At October’s event, the energy was unmatched. A packed room of founders, investors, vendors, and fans created an atmosphere you could feel - a community truly coming together. People weren’t just listening; they were engaged, inspired, and ready to act. And guess what? We’re on track to pack the room out again. The January event will be even bigger, even better, and even more unmissable. ✨ Why come to Founders Live? • Get inspired by the ambitious pitches and bold ideas on stage. • Make meaningful connections with Scotland’s brightest founders, investors, and supporters. • Leave with a notebook full of ideas and a fire in your belly to drive your own goals forward. • It's not just a great pitching event, it's just a great event. The first event set the bar high, and January is where we take things to the next level. Tickets are live, and this event WILL sell out. 🚀 Don’t miss out - join us on January 16th. Let’s make 2025 the year of big ideas and bold moves. Founders Live is where it starts. #FoundersLive #StartupScotland #Entrepreneurship #Innovation #Networking

ScaleUp VIP Club! Unlocking Competitive Advantage A huge thank you to everyone who made our latest ScaleUp Club session today a success! We had an incredible discussion on Competitive Advantage, and I wanted to take a moment to acknowledge and appreciate all the amazing contributions. 🎙 Special thanks to our speaker, Adrian Burden for sharing his journey from startup to a successful exit, and emphasizing the crucial business lessons for building and scaling enterprises. Adrian's insights on innovation, differentiation, and maintaining a competitive edge were truly inspiring! 🙌 A big shoutout to our breakout session hosts: Granger Forson, Kevin Brent, and Helen Bower FICB PM.Dip. Your facilitation and engagement made the discussions even more enriching and insightful. At ScaleUp Club, we believe in fostering a community where entrepreneurs and business leaders can learn, grow, and scale their ventures. Today's session highlighted the importance of not just having a unique selling proposition, but creating real differentiation that is valued by customers and challenging for competitors to replicate. Why Join ScaleUp Club? Learn from industry experts and successful entrepreneurs Engage in meaningful discussions with fellow business leaders Access valuable insights and practical advice for scaling your business Upcoming BizSmart Events: Smart90 Workshop: Friday, 21st June Next ScaleUp Club Meeting: Tuesday, 16th July - Theme: How (and why) to build a marketing budget Let’s continue to innovate, differentiate, and achieve greater heights together! #ScaleUpClub #CompetitiveAdvantage #Innovation #BusinessGrowth #ThankYou

🌟 Celebrating a Milestone: Our First In-Person Founder Institute ITALY Pitch Event in 2024! 🌟 On November 26, at our first-ever in-person pitch event, founders from diverse backgrounds took the stage to share their visions, tackle tough questions, and showcase their passion for solving real-world problems. We witnessed something truly inspiring—a room filled with brilliant minds, bold ideas, and the kind of energy that comes from founders passionately #pitching their visions to an engaged audience, sparking meaningful conversations and opportunities for innovation. Here are some key insights we gained about what makes a pitch impactful: 💡 The Power of the Team: A clear explanation of who’s behind the idea and why they’re the right people to execute it makes a huge difference. 📊 The Business Model Matters: A solid plan for how the idea will generate value and grow is essential to turning vision into reality. 🎯 Know Your Market: Understanding and articulating your audience and their needs is key to building trust and showing impact. We want to express our gratitude to our amazing partners Antonia Verna and Giulia Censori at Portolano Cavallo, for providing the venue and supporting us in making this event possible. Your collaboration played a key role in creating an inspiring and professional environment. 🤝 A huge thank-you to our panelist: Roberto Montandon, Giancarlo Vergine, and Emanuele Torlonia. Your insightful feedback, thoughtful questions, and expert guidance were invaluable to the founders who pitched their ideas. 👏 🚀 If you’re a founder ready to take your vision to the next level, we invite you to join our accelerator program. Our program is designed to help entrepreneurs refine their ideas, build strong business models, and connect with mentors and investors who can guide them on their journey. Connect to our local leaders Alberto Martellini Ariona K. Marta Marrucco for more information.

We sometimes tend to chicken out when the opportunity presents itself to us Right?🐔 Let’s be honest, we’ve all had our ‘chicken’ moments! 🙈 I remember hesitating when I got a call about a business opportunity. 📞❌ The thought of high-pressure tactics made me want to run for the hills. But, to my surprise, they were all about the gentle updates, no arm-twisting involved. 📬👍 That’s when the lightbulb moment struck! 🤯 Taking that call was actually a time-saver for both parties. I took the plunge, scheduled the call, and it was a game-changer. 📞💡 It’s a straightforward chat to see if their vision aligns with yours. Nothing more, nothing less. 👌 So, don’t follow in my ‘chicken’ footsteps – it’s not worth the time lost. 🐔⏰ Indecision only leads to stagnation. Just take those 5 minutes to address it head-on. 🕔 Looking back, I can’t help but laugh at how I almost missed out by not acting sooner. 😂 Embrace the opportunity, and who knows? It might just be the perfect fit for you on LinkedIn. 🌟

🎉 Celebrating Business Week: Igniting Innovation, Inspiring Growth! 🚀📈 As we dive into Business Week, let's take a moment to applaud the resilience, creativity, and dedication of businesses worldwide. 💼✨ It's a time to reflect on achievements, navigate challenges, and embrace the spirit of entrepreneurship that drives our economies forward. 🌐 Whether you're a startup founder, a seasoned entrepreneur, or a part of a dynamic team, Business Week is an opportunity to: Reflect on Milestones: Take pride in your accomplishments, no matter how big or small. Each step forward is a testament to your hard work and vision. Embrace Innovation: In a rapidly evolving landscape, innovation is the heartbeat of every successful business. What new ideas or technologies are propelling your business forward? Celebrate Team Success: Behind every successful venture is a dedicated team. Acknowledge and appreciate the collective efforts that contribute to your business's achievements. Connect and Collaborate: Business Week is the perfect time to network, exchange ideas, and explore potential collaborations. Strengthening connections within the business community can lead to exciting opportunities. Empower Others: Share your insights, lessons learned, and tips for success. By empowering others, we contribute to the growth of the broader entrepreneurial ecosystem. Let's make this Business Week a celebration of innovation, collaboration, and the entrepreneurial spirit that drives us all. Cheers to the businesses shaping the future! 🥂🌐 #BusinessWeek #Entrepreneurship #Innovation #BusinessGrowth #CommunityBuilding #SmallBusinessWeek

And that’s a wrap! Four years and many new brands and friends later, the time has come for me to bid farewell to Outfly. It's not very often you get to shape the direction of an organisation, so doing that across lots of brands and industries while working with founders and leaders has been a blast, an honour, a privilege. From fixing the UK’s digital divide with Gigaloch to scaling up climate emergency solutions with SHIFT , and every project in between, I've been blessed to work with what feels like a new breed of entrepreneurs determined to leave the world better than how they found it. Starting a new business is hard, starting one with the ambition to rewrite the rules of your industry requires a certain kind of defiance, commitment and passion. Incumbents have superior resources, talent, credibility… entire bureaucracies that maintain their share of the market. Going up against that, trying to make something different and better, it leaves its mark. A major shoutout to all the clients, you’ve been an inspiration to me. The world needs you, so keep going. And the world needs agencies like Outfly. Agencies that put the client’s real needs first. That think from first principles, that challenge, that design impact into the brands they work with from the very beginning. Our vision of a world where everyone has easy and fair access to design, investment and growth is more important than ever. Outfly’s portfolio is now well over 100 clients, with hundreds of millions raised along the way. If you’ve got a new idea, I can think of no better team to help you make it real. As I leave I feel an overwhelming sense of gratitude for the people at Outfly who I've worked with along the way. Too many to mention but special thanks go to Paul and Nina, two of the most intelligent and caring leaders I have known. We’ve had our fair share of challenging moments, but I leave incredibly proud of the brands we have built together over the past four years. Now it's time for a new chapter. Stay tuned!