TechChill’s Post

European startups are among the most innovative in the world, but they need the right resources to grow here in Europe. This is what I discussed with CEOs and leaders of some of the leading European innovation and startup hubs in Brussels today. It was an inspiring exchange of ideas. I shared our vision for building a stronger European ecosystem where startups can thrive. In the first 100 days of our mandate, we’ll ensure that AI startups have access to our world-class supercomputers. We want to make it easier for innovators to succeed by reducing the costs of failure. Finally, we’ll work to improve access to funding and modernise regulations. Creating a supportive environment for our talents.

South Summit Brazil Growth Stage hosted an engaging panel titled "Breaking Boundaries Through Innovation," where we had an insightful conversation on how innovation reshaped the startup landscape in LATAM. 🚀   Led by industry leaders, the panel explored the transformative power of innovation in driving growth and scalability for startups across the region. We delved into disruptive technologies and groundbreaking ideas, uncovering the keys to pushing boundaries and unlocking new opportunities in the startup ecosystem.   Moreover, we emphasized the critical role of team and talent in making innovation happen. It was a remarkable discussion filled with valuable insights and inspiration! 👩💼 https://lnkd.in/dQbXmYJK

MobilityXlab is excited to be one of the partners at Mobility Booster, a new initiative to support and promote innovation in mobility. With GU Ventures, Plug and Play Europe and Steptura™, Mobility Booster targets startups and scaleups in West Sweden to support their growth and competitiveness. We are proud to contribute with our strong experience in fostering collaboration and innovation between startups and large companies in the mobility sector, helping to strengthen Gothenburg and West Sweden as a hotspot for innovation and sustainability. Read more: https://lnkd.in/dDkw4_8R

#Aloha Innovators, Inventors & AlohaPreneurs, It’s Ha’akoa (Warrior) Wednesday. Who might be equipped to paddle on your team for each market growth phase? #2024HaakoaPaddlers #IndigenousWeek From Vision to Pitch: 5 Steps for Startup Founders & Scaleup Teams Every voyage begins with a clear sail plan. For startup founders and scaleup teams, navigating from idea to investment requires focus, strategy, and the right collaborators. Five essential steps 1. Clear Vision. Start with a strong, compelling vision that addresses a real market need. Define your mission, set your goals, and keep your focus sharp. Your vision will guide every decision. 2. Equipped Team. Build a team that aligns with your vision and brings diverse skills to the table. Success comes from having the right mix of talent, passion, and shared purpose. 3. Useful Product. Create a product or service that truly solves a problem. Focus on practicality, usability, and delivering real value to your customers. 4. Key Collaborators. Partnerships are essential. Identify key collaborators who share your values and can help you grow. The right Coaches & Advisors will amplify your impact. 5. Investor-Ready Pitch. Be prepared to communicate your story effectively. Craft a pitch that highlights your vision, market fit, and growth potential, and that resonates with investors. These steps aren’t just about building a business; they’re about creating something meaningful, sustainable, and impactful. What steps are you taking to turn your vision into an investor-ready pitch? Aloha Va Mana, Kahuna Loeka W. 🟢🔴 #startups #scaleups #entrepreneurship #businessgrowth #innovation #leadership #visiontopitch

The European startup ecosystem is undeniably characterized by a significant failure rate, with estimates indicating that between 60-70% of startups do not endure beyond their initial three years. This trend is pervasive across diverse industries and is influenced by a myriad of factors, including market conditions, the availability of funding, and the unique challenges faced by businesses at different operational stages. A comprehensive analysis reveals that the reasons behind startup failures are often complex and interconnected. Among the most common pitfalls are: 1. **Flawed Business Model**: Many startups enter the market with business models that lack viability or fail to adequately address genuine customer needs. 2. **Overconfidence**: Founders may exhibit an inflated sense of their product or service's market appeal, resulting in misguided strategic decisions. 3. **Poor Salesmanship**: A lack of effective marketing and sales strategies can severely impede revenue generation. 4. **Underestimating Challenges**: Many entrepreneurs may not fully grasp the complexities involved in executing their business concepts, leading to unexpected obstacles. 5. **Competing on Price Alone**: Solely relying on low pricing as a competitive strategy often jeopardises profitability and long-term sustainability. In contrast, successful startups typically demonstrate specific attributes that enhance their resilience and growth potential: 1. **Resourcefulness**: The capacity to adeptly navigate challenges and optimise available resources is critical. 2. **Creativity**: Innovative thinking is essential for differentiation in a saturated marketplace. 3. **Initiative**: A proactive mindset towards problem-solving and capitalising on opportunities is vital for sustained advancement. 4. **Strong Salesmanship**: Proficient communication and persuasion skills are fundamental in driving sales and fostering customer loyalty. 5. **Objectivity**: Founders who maintain an objective perspective on their offerings are more likely to adapt effectively to market feedback. 6. **Robust Business Model**: A thoughtfully conceived business model that accounts for market dynamics and customer requirements provides a solid foundation for success. In summary, while the high failure rate among European startups is indeed alarming, these ventures serve as critical learning experiences that foster innovation and economic progress. Many unsuccessful startups contribute positively to the economy by generating new ideas and job opportunities. By prioritising strategic planning, adaptability, and a customer-centric approach, new businesses can significantly enhance their prospects for success within a competitive landscape.

🚀 The First "Startup President" of the Commission? 🚀 Should the community nominate Ursula von der Leyen as the first "Startup President of the Commission"? In my 14 years in the startup world, we've seen the startup community nominate some key figures: Felipe VI of Spain as the "Startup King," President Emmanuel Macron as the "Startup President of the Republic," and Prince Constantijn Van Oranje-Nassau as the "Startup Prince." At #RiseEurope event this Tuesday, the main message was clear: "Europe needs to take startups seriously." And it's about time! This sentiment was echoed by Ann Mettler, Eva Maydell (Paunova), Michiel Scheffer and myself during our interventions. The 200+ participants agreed that the EU is not currently a driving force for startups and innovation. But… can things change under President von der Leyen? Here are her credentials since she was nominated as President by the Council: 1. prominently featured startups in her Political Guidelines for 2024-29 2. appointed Mrs Zaharieva as the first-ever Commissioner for Startups 3. appointed Henna Virkkunen the first-ever Executive Vice President on Tech Sovereignty 4. She introduced the concept of the "28th Regime" in the mission letter to Commissioner Michael McGrath 5. Focused on the Capital Markets Union in her mission letter to Mrs Alburqueque 6. Just yesterday, she met with #RiseEurope, led by UnternehmerTUM , Stefan Drüssler Or should she remain a "candidate" for the title until we see concrete actions benefiting startups under her presidency? During the event, five key points were raised: 1. Startups need to be taken seriously by corporates, pension funds, and public administrations across the EU—this is a big challenge 2. Public administrations should work with startups so that 30% of public procurement (worth €2.2 trillion) is allocated to innovative companies, potentially mobilizing €800 billion to close the innovation gap 3. Corporates must partner with startups. Volkswagen’s pivot from building its own software department to focusing on startup collaboration, with $5 billion invested in the Rivian startup, is a great example 4. Pension funds could allocate 1% of their assets into VC funds, equaling the amount of startup funding available in the US 5. The 28th Regime needs to become a reality, alongside an appropriate taxation system for employee stock options in startups. I trust in Mrs. Von der Leyen, the "Startup President" of the EU Commission, to turn these dreams into actions. Let’s work together to support her success, because her success will become our success! 💡 #Startups #Innovation #EU #RiseEurope #UrsulaVonDerLeyen #TechSovereignty #Entrepreneurship Ricardo Marvão 🇵🇹🇫🇷 Geoffroy Gérard Lisa Ericsson Mikkel Sørensen John Bell Pieter Haeck Mike Butcher ✍️Robin Wauters Clark Parsons Simon Schaefer Kat Borlongan Catalin Ticheru Bart BECKS Bindi Karia Fabrizio Porrino Philippe Huberdeau Alberto Onetti Gian M. Volpicelli John Thornhill

24 Flemish start-ups kick off their journey with Hubs4Growth The first edition of Pitch Your Seat has officially launched! This six-month incubation program offers 24 tech start-ups office space, guidance, and inspiring sessions at leading hubs: The Beacon | Innovation Community , Brussels Airport, Wintercircus Ghent, Leuven MindGate, Corda INCubator and Hangar K. Through this collaboration across Flanders, Hubs4Growth supports start-ups in growing, connecting, and expanding their reach. A fantastic step for Flemish innovation! Let's go! 👊 Want to know more? Read all about it here: https://lnkd.in/ejST9nGF #Hubs4Growth #PitchYourSeat

I am now at the airport, excited to join our partner Evolution | Innovation Forward for their 20th anniversary celebration! I’m honored to be invited to host a panel discussion where we will dive into some critical and inspiring topics: - Public vs private funding: When is the EIC the right funding choice, and what other options are out there for startups? How should founders approach the tricky balance between public and private funding? - Competitive landscape: How can European startups compete with the massive scale, and subsidies, of China and the more permissive regulatory landscape of the US? Specifically addressing the complexities of CAPEX for clean-tech startups and the unique challenges they face compared to other sectors. - The future of European startups: What is Europe doing to retain its startups and prevent talent migration to the US, especially for Southern European countries? How can we build an attractive market for start-ups in Europe? I’m eager to dive into these questions and more, connect with everyone, exchange ideas, and spark some truly interesting discussions!

The EU Inc initiative proposes a unified European corporate structure to streamline cross-border operations for startups. By harmonizing regulations and reducing administrative burdens, it aims to foster innovation and competitiveness across the EU. This approach would enable startups to scale more efficiently, attract investment, and compete globally.

Reflecting on our prediction for 2023 as a 'return to fundamentals,' the upcoming year looks promising for the Israeli tech ecosystem. I believe that despite last year's challenges, startups laid the groundwork for robust, sustainable growth. Read Greenfield Partners 2024 outlook with CTech by Calcalist linked below.