Robert Jan van Vugt’s Post

Wanted: Startup founders from the Gothenburg region whose coffee machine looks like this. We need you for a #founderfika! I really miss a weekly gathering of startup founders in Gothenburg. A low barrier meeting, every week, about an hour, no agenda's, no need to give heads up on attendance, just a chat with a cup of coffee with like-minded people. Giving newcomers to the region an entry-point into the ecosystem, and Gothenburg veterans a chance to share why "Väst är Bäst". I think this type of event is a vital part of having a healthy entrepreneurial ecosystem and to my knowledge we're lacking it in Gothenburg. We at #CampXbyVolvoGroup can host the first few and I am hoping others will take it upon themselves to host as well, but I want to do some validation first, so: Please share this message in your network, tag your founder friends from the region, and send me a DM with your contact details if you would like to join. I will send you an email with the first dates once we reach 50 founders on the list. PS. I realize I am not a founder, I'm hoping everyone will ignore that fact. We could be open to investors, incubators, accelerators, venture studios etc as well. PPS. If you've seen the post before, you are following me really well, kudos for you! I am giving this another go and hoping to grow the list some more before we start!

Happiness is good for business.

🌆 𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗶𝗳 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗰𝗼𝘂𝗹𝗱 𝗵𝗲𝗹𝗽 𝗿𝗲𝗱𝗲𝗳𝗶𝗻𝗲 𝗕𝗲𝗿𝗹𝗶𝗻 𝗮𝘀 𝗮 𝗴𝗹𝗼𝗯𝗮𝗹 𝗵𝘂𝗯 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗶𝗻𝗰𝗹𝘂𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗻𝗲𝘄𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗲𝗿 𝗶𝗻𝗻𝗼𝘃𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻? On November 28th, join us to celebrate newcomer entrepreneurship and witness the future being shaped before your eyes (link below)👇. Before co-directing SINGA Berlin, I reckoned with my own journey as a multiple migrant. Born in China 🇨🇳 , raised in Canada 🇨🇦 , and now calling Berlin 🇩🇪 home, I’ve experienced the complexities of building a life across borders—geographical, cultural, and professional. Like many newcomers, I struggled through the labyrinth of visa appointments, getting my Anmeldung, years of sublet-hopping, and unfamiliar labour market rights, all while striving to create something meaningful for myself and others. Migration isn’t just about movement; it’s about 𝘀𝗲𝗶𝘇𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗼𝘄𝗻 𝗳𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗱𝗿𝗶𝘃𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗶𝘁 𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗼 𝗮 𝗻𝗲𝘄 𝗽𝗮𝘁𝗵, transforming into what you never thought possible, and building belonging in places where the odds are not always in your favour. As Berlin grapples with its identity as a global city, the way we support migrant entrepreneurship will define our collective path forward. Newcomers like me aren’t just building businesses; they are creating solutions, catalyzing communities, and reshaping our economy in brilliant ways. In today’s divisive political climate, supporting migrant entrepreneurship is more than an economic strategy—𝗶𝘁’𝘀 𝗮 𝗯𝗼𝗹𝗱 𝗮𝗰𝘁 𝗼𝗳 𝘂𝗻𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗴𝗿𝗲𝘀𝘀 which proves that Berlin’s strength lies in its diversity, and that inclusion fuels innovation. 🗓️ Mark your calendar: Join us on 𝗡𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗺𝗯𝗲𝗿 𝟮𝟴𝘁𝗵 for the Berlin Newcomer Startup Award. Six migrant founders will pitch their ideas, and 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝘃𝗼𝘁𝗲 will help decide who takes home €27,500 in prize money to invest in their businesses. 🎟️ Spots are limited, so secure your place here: https://lnkd.in/e6wrNBwd The Migrant Accelerator Migration Hub Migrapreneur ® Startup Incubator Berlin BERLIN STARTUP SCHOOL Berlin Startups Berlin Partner für Wirtschaft und Technologie GmbH wundertax heyData Perspektive neuStart e.V. 2hearts jobs4refugees GUWBI e.V. ReDI School of Digital Integration HEARTFELT_ REAKTOR BERLIN Frauenalia gUG ISI e. V. "Initiative Selbständiger Immigrantinnen" Gut Plus Founderland Antler avant now // innovation for impact AsiaBerlin BürgschaftsBank Berlin Investitionsbank Berlin neustart plus Ron SIBB IHK Berlin Startup-Verband

Connections & Cocktails: Our EU-Startups Summit Story!🇲🇹 Just got back from two incredible days at the Startups summit on Malta, and we are buzzing with the energy and connections we made!🔥 As our first international event, it definitely exceeded expectations. Marek Liška became a master of multi-tasking, juggling our booth, the main stage, and networking with other businesses. Lukáš Král was constantly discussing technical details about our platform. Meanwhile, I held down the fort at our booth, passionately explaining our platform to everyone who stopped by. And Daniel Hendrych captured everything on camera!🕺🏻 The summit itself was a goldmine for European startups. It provided a fantastic platform to showcase ideas, network with investors, industry leaders, and fellow entrepreneurs. From insightful chats to an exciting pitch competition showcasing Europe's brightest startups, there was something for everyone. Speaking of connections, the evening networking event was a masterclass in turning "business cards" into "business buddies." Conversations flowed as smoothly as the drinks.🍸 Now, onto the most important question: If you connect with us on LinkedIn and are interested in exploring collaboration opportunities, reach out! We're thrilled about the potential to create something groundbreaking together.😊 P.S. Huge thanks to the Anastasiia Ponomareva, Thomas Ohr and their team for creating such a dynamic and inspiring environment! The future of European startups is looking brilliant!🇪🇺 #EUStartupsSummit #Malta #Networking #Collaboration #Entrepreneurship

Since '19 I have been hosting a weekly brunch for founders past, present & future. Yesterday we had a special session: Ali and Hugo, who are writing their Master’s thesis about the Stockholm startup ecosystem, wanted to know how entrepreneurs visualized the ecosystem's key nodes. They wanted to know what makes this ecosystem work. What can be improved? If you have any input for Ali & Hugo, please comment! Here were some takeaways from our discussion: 1️⃣ Ecosystem strong points: meetups + angels + public support. Sthlm has incredible events for founders every week–from Norrsken’s morning raves to Karolinska Institutet’s Digital Health Cocktail Hour, to the Mastercard Lighthouse. We also have great early-stage funding from Almi, Vinnova, & angels. Sting might be the best example of all these of these forces in unison. 2️⃣ Stockholm is an easy place to start a company. This is a high-trust society. Swedish contracts are often straightforward and fair. Digital processes make it relatively easy to start a company here. Plus there’s extra support in the early days. My favorite example: Sweden's employment law allows employees to take six months of unpaid leave to look for another job or to start a business, whilst retaining their right of employment in their jobs. 3️⃣ Our ecosystem prizes “impact” & “disruption.” Almost every startup in Stockholm claims to be working in these areas. Government funding usually requires it. In any case, it’s working: Stockholm continues to be "the home of impact," and Sweden is one of the most innovative countries in the world. 4️⃣ Weak points: capital beyond seed stage. Creandum founder Stefan Lindeberg once said “Sweden is a great country for startups before Series A.” Almost any startup that wants to grow past this point has to look outside Sweden.... 5️⃣ Unicorns are the cause & effect of our healthy ecosystem. ...but it’s hard to raise Series A capital everywhere. Perhaps what’s most remarkable about Sweden’s success is that a surprising number of leaders have done it anyway. And when they do, strength leads to strength. Skype, Europe’s first unicorn, gave Stockholm the means to build more ecosystem pillars: meetups, media, money. Invest Stockholm has a good visualization of the flywheel: https://lnkd.in/d3e7DJgH If you’re interested in getting more active in this ecosystem, check out Growth minds and the brunches we host each week at Stockholm Founders Coral.

🔗 Uniting Mittelstand, Start-ups, and Capital: TechFounders at Hinterland of Things Together with FamilienUnternehmerTUM, we are excited to announce our network partnership with the Hinterland of Things, which has been recognized since 2018 as one of the most prestigious B2B tech conferences in Europe and is supported by the Founders Foundation gGmbH. ⚡️ This year's motto, "(Go) Beyond", not only refers to the path of technological progress, but also corresponds to our mantra for the pioneering power of change through entrepreneurial action and this strengthens the interaction between traditional companies and start-ups.  #Hinterland24 is not just about connecting innovative entrepreneurs, top VCs, and tech executives. It's also a unique platform for decision-makers from family-owned businesses and the German Mittelstand, showcasing the true potential of collaborative innovation. 🪐 In a rapidly evolving world, Hinterland24 stands as a beacon of progressive dialogue and action. It's more crucial than ever to unite and explore the immense opportunities in technology trends and sustainable innovation that are reshaping industries and society. Don’t miss out on this transformative experience! As the partner of the event, we're excited to offer a special discount to our network. Use the following link for a 15% discount on all ticket types: https://lnkd.in/eAz96HpZ #hinterland24 #bielefeld #hinterlandofthings #foundersfoundation #startup #exhibition

🤔 How to make a start-up contest profitable? I spent 2 days in Brussels for a European PropTech Association startup competition. TBH, I hesitated a lot when Dirk Paelinck invited me to pitch Thermosphr.  In a start-up, your time is the only controllable metric.  It's a marathon and you must be laser focused.  Two days wasted on vanity is two days wasted on business development. 🍟 Even if the Belgian fries are excellent :/ Nevertheless, I managed to make the most of it for 3 reasons: 1️⃣ I met some very clever competitors for energy efficiency in commercial buildings.  I strongly believe having such fierce competition is an excellent thing, given the magnitude of our challenge ahead!  It was an opportunity to discuss common challenges facing our sector! Kudos Ahmet Köse Donatas Karčiauskas and Patrik Johansson 2️⃣ The wild ambition of some founders reminds me that everything is possible.  Some players skip the « small European countries » and directly target the world's major commercial property markets (North America, the Middle East and South-East Asia).  That makes me want to aim bigger and further afield. Kudos Chris Van de Voorde & Maciej (Matthew) Markowski José P. & Ramzi Bouzerda 3️⃣ Different cultures = more international mindset.  The easiest way to build a world champion is to be international from the start.  In Europe, we can see our culture differences as an opportunity. For example, mixing southern Europeans with Northern Europeans from the start could ensure you « take the most of » every cultural mindsets. cc Ana Luisa Vaz for Portugal + Dutch mariage! And you? Do you participate to startup contests? Thanks to the jury & sponsors that supported this event! cc Grigor Hadjiev Julien Daclin Martinas Eitmonas Théo Galula #climatechange #energy #startup #Europe #realestate

We’re excited to see the startup community thriving in West Sweden! 🌟 Yesterday, we had the pleasure of participating in the Gothenburg Startup Conference 2024, organized by Startup Network Europe at Mindpark. The event brought together innovators, founders, and investors to discuss the future of startups. 🚀 A true highlight of the evening was seeing our Chairperson, Christine Bjärkby, on stage. 🎤 She delivered an inspiring talk about investments in Europe, offering a dual perspective: from the investor’s lens and with valuable advice for founders on how to think strategically. Christine’s energy and passion are truly unmatched—she’s an incredible inspiration, and I couldn’t be prouder of her! 💡✨ As for myself, I had the opportunity to dive into discussions about organization, scaling strategy, and company culture with other brilliant attendees. These conversations were both thought-provoking and energizing. 💬🔥 It was also a joy to reconnect with my good friend Mattias Lyckberg—always a pleasure to have engaging discussions with such a fantastic and inspiring individual. 🙌 We’re proud to be part of this dynamic and growing ecosystem. 🌍 Together, we’re shaping the future of innovation and energy solutions—both in our region and beyond! ⚡💚 #LexEnergy #EnergyInnovation #SustainableSolutions #CleanEnergy #EVCharging #GreenTech #EnergyEfficiency #ScalingStartups #FutureOfEnergy #RenewableEnergy #TechLeadership #ImpactfulInnovation #StartupEcosystem #SmartInfrastructure #EnergyTech #InnovationForGood

E21: The Heart of Nordic Startups: Kay Michelsen’s Insights on TechBBQ, Community Building, and Leading with Kindness Happy Summer, everyone! Join us for this episode of Perception Paradox as we explore the world of event innovation and community building with Kay Michelsen. Kay is the Head of Program for ⁠TechBBQ⁠, Scandinavia’s premier startup and innovation summit, and the mind behind the ⁠MondayFriday⁠ newsletter, covering startup news from the Nordics. We explore Kay's journey, from her early days at TechBBQ to her thoughts on the future of events. Discover the importance of communities, the challenges of running major events, and how to lead with kindness in the fast-paced startup ecosystem. This episode brings some inspiration, exploration of cultures and belonging, and a unique perspective on blending Nordic culture with international relevance. Links in the comments! Like, share & subscribe <3 #perceptionparadox #underdogfounders #startupecosystem #entrepreneurship #communities #techevents #thenordicway

Fellow angels, are you looking to boost your portfolio companies? Then you need to invite your startups to the EBAN Annual Congress via the EBAN member-only fast track link! What do your companies get by applying? ✨ Access to all early growth workshops and all Congress sessions and keynote speeches ✨ Networking and 1-1 matchmaking sessions with the best angels from Europe and beyond ✨ Free Congress tickets for all selected companies & €100 tickets for all applying startups ✨ Visibility on the EBAN Congress stage, on ebancongress.com, and all promotional activities Jumpstart your company now and apply today via the EBAN member-only fast-track link! The competition is held in two parts: the semi-finals, which are held online on April 23rd, and the finals, which are held in Tallinn in person during the EBAN Annual Congress. Use the Fast Track Form to get a shortcut to the pitching stage in Tallinn, as the semi-final winners get a Congress pitching slot! Who can apply: ✅ Startups actively raising funding rounds of €150K – €2M. ✅ Based in or conducting business within any EU country. ✅ Have already successfully secured an investment by at least one Angel. ✅ Startups from all industries are welcome! Apply by the 15th of April — check the link below ↘