Consulate General of the Netherlands in New York’s Post

As I've said before, startups are our strongest hope for changing the world for the better, so we need to do FAR better in helping them succeed. Having spent a few years on the leadership team at MassChallenge, I was excited about the changes just announced for renowned accelerator program Techstars. While kind of an apples-to-oranges comparison, MC always kept an eye on Techstars because we were in essentially the same business, just with somewhat different approaches. The world has changed since the two programs started and it's awesome to see Techstars adapt - like any good startup should. 😎 According to a recent post by Maelle Gavet, Techstars outlined their strategic changes like this: #1 Focused training for founders (not just the startups they're currently running), with mentorship/advisors at its heart. In essence they're packaging the wisdom of their community into events and content ... including their "alumni" as MC called them. One-on-one mentorship is now just one piece of the puzzle. #2 A new global tech platform, Techstars Universe, that connects their alumni, experts, and founders regardless of cohort or program or location. #3 Limiting physical workspace to the largest ecosystems. #4 Supporting smaller ecosystems, through geographically and industry-based programs. #5 A founder-focused (not startup-focused, necessarily) approach. While still sourcing startups from everywhere across the globe, they focus on the people: founders don't start one company or play one role forever: an ecosystem is fluid. #6 Leveraging HEAPS of data. When you have hundreds of thousands of applications and detailed information about founders and companies that have gone through your program, you have huge opportunities for predictive and best-practice recommendations to make startups more successful. None of the factors above are revelatory, but it is validating to see them embraced. Change is hard. It's not just important for accelerator organizations to change, it's critical for the world. https://lnkd.in/eacncVwb

A lot of pre-seed/pre-product founders come to me to ask for advice on how to grow their business, or solidify their business idea. My answer is normally very swift and direct: Validate the problem you want to solve using lean start-up methodologies (make sure it’s a big important problem), then apply to Techstars. Founders, I don’t give you swift answers because I “don’t have time” to explain the details. I give you swift answers because that is all you need. When you focus on solving a problem, and have validated it, going through techstars puts your thoughts and plans into a cohesive framework for execution. Then most importantly you want an accelerator that isn’t just globally connected but locally too. The support you get locally is what will help get you through the hard grind of getting your first 1,000 customers. Peter Ndegwa C.B.S please bring Techstars to Kenya. Kenyan Founders are capable of building global businesses. Let’s accelerate this. Oyin Solebo

Australian Startup CEO online pitching to investors in Hong Kong ??? Is this possible? Yes, in StartHub.Asia, we have organised regular online/off-line Startup pitching sessions. StartHub.Asia are interested to connect with Australian Startup CEOs who have below critical success factors: *** Solve a daily life problem of our society with the ambitious to go global and to expand the products and services to overseas! ***  A proven revenue model: e.g. subscription-based ***  With a good management team Below is a sample of our ***Startup Pitch Day*** event context: Set to take place on December XX 2024, at the prestigious location of grade-A commercial tower, located in the heart of Central, Hong Kong. This event is a must-attend for local and international technology startups looking to elevate their business and connect with top-tier investors. International Startups could participate via online mode. Event Details: Date: XX December 2024 Time: 3:30pm – 5:00pm (HK time) Fee: A$ 399 (Members and/or by invitation only) Why You Should Attend: The Startup Pitch Day, organized by CEO of Startups Community (Asia) Ltd., and co-hosted by Senior Executives from leading accounting firm, mentors or ibankers. This event provides a unique platform for startups to pitch their innovative ideas to a select group of innovation investors, including representatives from: – Family Offices – Venture Capital Firms – Corporate Venture Capital (CVC) Networking Opportunities: Engage with a community of like-minded entrepreneurs and seasoned investors. This is your good chance to make connections and/or attract investor’s interests that could lead to meaningful partnerships and crucial funding opportunities. If you are interested to learn more about this online pitching to investors from Hong Kong/Shenzhen/Shanghai, please write email to: Joseph Tse Vice President (Venture Incubator & Business Growth)  副总裁 (风险投资孵化器与业务增长) Email: [email protected]

Over the past 17 years, running 397 accelerator programs for 4K+ early stage startups, we’ve learned a thing or two about what founders need from an accelerator program – & how to set their companies up for success. Now we’ve taken all of our experience, all of that data, internal analysis & feedback from our stakeholders to launch Techstars 2.0 – a platform for founder empowerment.   Here’s a flavor of what we’re doing:  - “MasterClass” for founders: We’re rolling out a new best-in-class curriculum built from the top Techstars programs of the past 17 years. Think: MasterClass for entrepreneurs, with some of the best and most experienced mentors in the world (and yes, we will also continue to deliver 1:1 support in the small group format that we're known for. So founders can get the best of both worlds...) - Networked for success: Over the last 18 months, we have built a new global tech platform, Techstars Universe, which enables founders to tap into the power and sector expertise of the Techstars network & engage with our community of more than 9K Techstars founders, 4K mentors, hundreds of partners & thousands of VCs, spanning entire geos & industries. Techstars Universe is now available to all our new portcos - Refocusing our footprint: We know that founders are more likely to succeed when they are plugged into a thriving ecosystem. So we’re doubling-down on running in-person programs in the largest tech ecosystems (in the U.S., this means New York, San Francisco, Boston and Los Angeles) so that entrepreneurs can be surrounded by the highest possible concentration of VCs, startups, talent, mentors & support - Supporting smaller ecosystems: In line with our foundational belief that great ideas are everywhere but opportunity is not equally distributed, we will continue to run programs in smaller venture ecosystems where we have partners that offer valuable expertise in addition to capital. We will be phasing out some accelerator programs in a few smaller venture markets where we have run accelerators in the past while continuing to source startups from everywhere across the globe - Investing in the best founders: Despite running more programs than ever, we set a very high bar when it comes to founder selection. In 2023, most of our accelerator programs had a <1% acceptance rate. All the changes we’re making (& some more we’ll unveil in the coming months) are aimed at perpetuating this culture of excellence - Data-powered: Armed with 17 years of data from hundreds of thousands of applications & 4K+ portcos, we are continuing to strengthen our selection process. Whereas many investors talk about being data-driven, we’re building the first truly data-powered early stage tech investment firm   Fundamentally, Techstars 2.0 is about sourcing, equipping & supporting more founders than ever before – & ramping up their chances of success. Read the full post here: https://lnkd.in/eFVHhdGp

Really interesting announcement from Maelle Gavet about the future of Techstars. There has been a proliferation of startup accelerators over the past decade trying to replicate the success of Techstars, Y Combinator and a few other marquee programs, and while some of them provide valuable resources to entrepreneurs many take equity from startups and don't offer much in return. Techstars itself has syndicated its program around the globe and, in my opinion, diluted its brand in the process. Now Techstars is using the accumulated learnings from all those programs to revamp its entire accelerator program, I think for the better.

An interesting set of rankings for top 50 global entrepreneurship hubs via PitchBook https://lnkd.in/gvakfcJN Per PitchBook: "PitchBook’s VC Ecosystem Rankings compare global cities based on the size and maturity of their startup networks. ... Network effects matter in venture capital: Investors get more than half of their deals through referrals, according to research led by Harvard professor Paul Gompers. So it stands to reason that dealmakers should seek these networks out when deciding where to do business." Yes, as Paddy Cosgrave correctly pointed out on X - all rankings of these complex aspects of business & social environments should be taken with "a mountain of salt". I agree. But, ... the proverbial 'but' ..., these rankings do give us some interesting insights into what is going on. Remember, this is about 'networks'. Which means that Ireland's usual 'GDP is our best friend' shoulder is not available. So, 'networking' is what we - in Ireland - supposedly are really, really good about. IDA Ireland and Enterprise Ireland both stake a lot on this when it comes of our economic development model. Rightly so. And 'networking' is naturally aligned with Ireland's role in the common market - we are an entrepôt to Europe in so many ways (pharma, tech, etc). But, we do not make the top 50 rankings in PitchBook, despite the fact that similar-sized cities elsewhere (including three in Europe) make the cut. I do not have an answer to the question "Why is Dublin not on the list?" despite all the things that should be going Ireland's way here (English language, common law, highly educated workforce, presence of an international financial centre, proximity - social, economic, physical, regulatory, legal cultural etc - to major markets, presence of massive state-financed subsidies & tax policy incentives - the latter with a caveat on poor CGT framework - and so on). So lots to think about.

In a recent article, Chris Greenfield of OneEleven highlights the often-overlooked role of scaleups in driving innovation and sustainable growth in Canada’s tech industry. While startups tend to get the most attention, it’s the scaleups—representing just 1% of tech companies but contributing 20 times the revenue—who are making a massive impact. Chris delves into the unique challenges these high-growth companies face, from managing capital efficiency to expanding internationally. At OneEleven, they’re committed to helping these companies overcome obstacles through mentorship, resources, and strategic guidance. Let’s recognize the importance of scaleups and work together to support them as they take Canada’s tech ecosystem to new heights. #Scaleups #TechGrowth #Innovation #CdnTech #GlobalExpansion #Entrepreneurship

How do you do more with less while on a shoestring budget and small team in the early days of your business? 🤔 Join us at this 30-minute power session - https://lu.ma/4doba8sa - to learn strategies on frugal innovation to get from startup to scaleup. 👉In this online masterclass, Luke Rix, will be sharing: 💡The principles of frugal innovation and how it can lead to significant business breakthroughs 💡How startups can adopt a frugal innovation approach, focusing on resource optimization, cost-effective solution development and more. 👉 Register to join live or receive the recording. 🌟 About bMightie expert mentor, Luke Rix: 🚀 Luke is the CEO and Co-Founder of KC Ventures - a company helping startups with everything Finance, Operations and Strategy related, allowing Founders to turn a great idea into a great scalable business. As a Co-Founder of WithYouWithMe, one of Australia's fastest growing tech companies of all time helping solve the global digital skills shortage. Luke held positions as both COO, CFO and Head of Strategy. #bmightie #growth #startup #scaleup #operations #entrepreneurship #business #lunchandlearn #webinar #masterclass

Good day. Here is the Startup Business Program Summary with emphasis upon startup funding. Categories and hours are options. Enjoy! The Program is available for the Innovation Ecosystem - Incubator, Accelerator, University, Government, and Corporation Programs, and for individual Startups. Let me know if you are interested. Cheers. Bob Akslr8! Startup Business Program Summary   1.      Introduction and Overview (1 hour) Kirschner Startup Biography https://lnkd.in/gzYXhfV7 Startup Commercialization Ecosystem Success Factors Defined by Investors Challenges for Startups Truisms 9 Insights 2.      Economic Potential, Team, Product/Market (1-2 hours) Economic Potential Definition Assessment, Diagnosis, Treatment Metrics Team Considerations and Requirements Product/Market Considerations and Requirements 9 Insights 3.      Technology Development Priorities (1 hour) Product/Market Demand Analysis Low Hanging Fruit and Cherry Picking Based upon Funding and Investor Criteria Beta Testing and Beta Partner Criteria 3 Insights 4.      Initial and Ongoing Startup Business Activities (1-2 hours) Startup Documents Operations Assessment, Strategy, Treatment Plan Template 4 Insights 5.      Planning (1-2 hours) Importance Avoid the “Big Surprise” Investor Perspective Identify Strengths and Weaknesses Macro and Micro Perspectives Geometric v. Linear Function Perspective Time and Cost Considerations Dual or Multiple Source Inputs Identify Key Milestones and Dates Use Money Efficiently Evolution of the Structure of Your Startup                                                     Board of Directors Stakeholder Conflicts Control and Dilution 7 Insights   6.      Investors (1-4 hours) Funding Stages Beta Tests Investor Insights Being a Potential Unicorn and Using Infinite Funding Methodology The “Deal” 25 Insights 7.      Funding (1-4 hours) 12 Insights Including - Startup Funding Ecosystem and Stages Commercialization Ecosystem Entrepreneur Technology/Product Idea Marketplace Role of Accelerators AI Recognition AI Economic Potential Quantification Accelerators and AI Limitations Accelerators and Investor Expectations Use of Startup Business Accelerators 8.      Getting Funding (1-4 hours) 51 Insights Including – Startup Funding Ecosystem and Stages The Process: Due Diligence, Analysis, Assessment, Diagnosis, Treatment The Big 3 Rating of Startup Big 3 Status as Part of Diagnosis and Treatment Funding Sources and Insights Funding Stages AI Recognition Pitches Startup Evaluation Important Points Investments Seen through Eyes of Investors Potential Unicorns and Use of Infinite Funding Methodology Reality Check Exercise Regarding Funding Likelihood Exit Important Funding Information 9.      Legal – Formation, IP Protection, Representation (1-2 hours) Creating Legal Entity Protecting IP Other Legal Considerations 7 Insights 10.  Summary and Final Comments (1 hour) Important Points List of Relevant Considerations Q&A

#Pitching goes beyond spieling or hitting a quota. It's about crafting a vivid picture of your #business in #investors' minds. Picture it as a captivating story that grabs attention & leaves them eager for more. Learn more with us: https://lnkd.in/dcHrG2XD #Scaleup #Investment #Innovation #Entrepreneurship #TechTrends #Technology #Leadership #Growth #Success #Management #Enterprise #Funding #StartupSuccess #BusinessGrowth #OpenScience #OpenAccess #Business #Startup #Startups #Entrepreneur #SME #Tech #EU #Europe #AngelInvestor #Venture #Businessman #VentureCapitalists #Crowdfunding #RAISE #InnovationCulture #FutureOfBusiness #DisruptiveTech #DigitalTransformation #SmallBiz #FounderLife #InnovationEcosystem #AngelInvesting #SeedFunding #TechStartup #BusinessStrategy #VCInvesting #StartupLife #TechInnovation #FundingRound #CorporateVenture #BusinessLeadership #StartupCulture #ScaleUpNation #EntrepreneurialMindset #InvestmentOpportunity #StartupCommunity #TechSavvy #EmergingTech #BusinessDevelopment #FounderJourney #InvestorNetwork #BusinessMentorship #StartupEcosystem #TechInvestor #ScaleUpStrategy #EntrepreneurialSpirit #InnovationHub #StartupIncubator #VCCommunity #InvestmentPortfolio #StartupAccelerator #DigitalEntrepreneur #VentureFunding #SeedCapital #GrowthMindset #TechEntrepreneur #StartupNation #InnovationStrategy #AngelNetwork #VentureCapitalFirm #TechInnovationHub #BusinessNetworking #StartupAdvice #InvestmentCapital #AngelInvestment #StartUpVenture #TechInvestment #BusinessIncubator #InvestorRelations #BusinessInsights EBAN - European Business Angel Network EURADA - European Association of Development Agencies SERN - Startup Europe Regions Network International Consortium of Research Staff Associations (ICoRSA) FUNDECYT-PCTEX