TechChill’s Post

Hey there! Artem Zhuravlev here, founder of FundRight. 👋 As promised, I wanted to share a bit about our experience attending some truly valuable events. I’m a huge advocate for participating in meetups, conferences, and startup events to push our project forward. First off, I attend every meetup organized by our partner, the accelerator Frank & the Backs. These meetups are a goldmine for meeting fascinating people, discovering new projects, and gathering feedback from experts. For example, that’s where we met Jeroen Boevé (International Management and Business Development in Healthcare, ICT, Staffing, and Government sectors), who was really impressed by our project and even offered his support for our startup! 🙌 In addition to these meetups, we also hit up larger events like  (https://lnkd.in/dyduPfR) and The Next Web (https://lnkd.in/db4uW6K). These are fantastic opportunities to network with professionals, exchange ideas, and stay updated on the latest trends in tech. 🌐 Now, if you're looking for events like these, here are a few platforms I personally use to find useful ones: https://lnkd.in/eFuYBeA  — great for discovering a wide range of meetups, conferences, and webinars across different countries. Meetup.com — super handy for finding smaller, more intimate gatherings that often result in more productive networking. Crunchbase Events — a hub for major conferences and events tailored to startups and investors. Startup Grind — a global platform that offers events aimed at startups with excellent opportunities to meet investors. Techstars Startup Week — a series of events held in various cities, offering great learning and networking opportunities. But before heading out to any of these events, why not give our alpha test at FundRight a try? It’s your chance to connect with the right investor or startup without ever leaving your desk. 💻 We’re building a platform that goes beyond financial data, leveraging deep insights to match you with future unicorns and ensuring you never miss the next big opportunity. Stay tuned for more updates, and don’t forget to sign up!

The first HACK'N'TALK of 2024 is all about mobility! 🚗 🚀 🚴♂️ 🗓️ Wednesday, April 10, 2024 ⏰ 6:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. (CEST) 📍 MakerSpace Event Area | Munich Urban Colab Mobility means more than just traffic; it often plays a decisive role in many areas of life. During this event, we'll delve into the broader implications of mobility, exploring how it enables participation in social life and influences various life decisions. 💡 Join us for an electrifying keynote speech by Andrea Mocellin, a true visionary in mobility innovation. With a storied background spanning aviation, automotive, and micro-mobility sectors, Andrea brings a unique blend of storytelling and design prowess. Drawing from his experiences with pioneering ventures like Lilium and Nio and prestigious design firms like Pininfarina and Bertone, Andrea unveils insights on "Reinventing Mobility Starting from the Wheel." From concept to execution, he crafts narratives that transcend time, enhancing user experiences with iconic forms. ⚙ After the talk, dive into an interactive Q&A session, seizing the chance to connect with Andrea and share your burning questions. ❓ 📣 But that's not all – we're providing a remarkable opportunity for ambitious mobility-focused start-ups to shine! We're offering six pitching slots for start-ups eager to present their innovative venture on stage in a concise 1-minute pitch. If you'd like to seize this opportunity and pitch your start-up in the field of mobility, fill out the form to apply for a slot. All our pitchers will receive free pitch training beforehand to prepare you for your best performance. 🔗 https://lnkd.in/ewJnUqBs To further enhance your experience, we offer an exclusive MakerSpace tour, granting you firsthand exposure to cutting-edge technologies. Networking is a vital component of any entrepreneurial gathering, and at HACK'N'TALK, we prioritize this aspect. Connect with fellow entrepreneurs, investors, and industry professionals, forging valuable connections that can propel your start-up journey forward. We're delighted to introduce an Extraordinary Matchmaking Opportunity. More details will follow very soon. But the excitement doesn't stop there! We're thrilled to partner with TrendMover, a gamified community app. We'll actively use the app during the event, and you can vote for your favorite presenting start-up. 📱 🔗 Reserve your spot here: https://lnkd.in/dH9wmeXb For any inquiries or feedback, feel free to reach out to Lisa Schebitz at [email protected]. We can't wait to welcome you to HACK'N'TALK and connect with you! UnternehmerTUM | UnternehmerTUM MakerSpace GmbH | Munich Urban Colab | Digital Hub Mobility by UnternehmerTUM | Gründerland Bayern | Bayerisches Staatsministerium für Wirtschaft, Landesentwicklung und Energie | Digital Hub Mobility by UnternehmerTUM | ReDrink 

My friend Mickeli Bedore did what any good friend does. He gave me a swift kick to the teeth yesterday. He made it clear to me that I do a poor job making it clear what is different about Enterprise Rising Conference 2024, the startup event that I run every year. Specifically, 𝗵𝗼𝘄 𝗶𝘁'𝘀 𝗱𝗶𝗳𝗳𝗲𝗿𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝗻 𝗼𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿 𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗿𝘁𝘂𝗽 𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘀 𝗶𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗿𝗲𝗴𝗶𝗼𝗻. Let me break it down like this: 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗽𝗲𝗲𝗽𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗮𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗻𝗱 𝗘𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗽𝗿𝗶𝘀𝗲 𝗥𝗶𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝗳𝗲𝗿𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗳𝗮𝗿 𝗺𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝗹𝗶𝗸𝗲𝗹𝘆 𝘁𝗼 𝗯𝗲 𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗹 𝗳𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗹𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗿𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗻𝘂𝗲 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗳𝘂𝗻𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 Ironically, most startup events don't attract many true startup practitioners at all. They attract wantapreneurs and service providers. There's nothing wrong with this. But do you want to be around 𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘭 founders? That are in the trenches growing a real business every day? Maybe you do. ----- 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝘀𝗽𝗲𝗮𝗸𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝗮𝘁 𝗘𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗽𝗿𝗶𝘀𝗲 𝗥𝗶𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝗳𝗲𝗿𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗳𝗮𝗿 𝗺𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝘁𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗹 My favorite part of the day is when founders in the audience show me the pages and pages of notes they took. The wisdom dropped is voluminous and they are from people worth listening to. Most startup events sadly don't attract the right type of speakers who have actually done it, nonetheless multiple times. So their tactics are really just "this is what I think" vs. "this is what actually works". ----- 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗿𝗼𝗼𝗺 𝗶𝘀 𝗳𝘂𝗹𝗹 𝗼𝗳 𝗮𝗰𝘁𝘂𝗮𝗹, 𝗰𝗵𝗲𝗰𝗸 𝘄𝗿𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗶𝗻𝘃𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘀 After Techstars demo day, this is probably the most seed stage investor-attended event that investors fly into MSP for. The four most active angel investors in MN will all be attending + many of the best seed funds that a SaaS startup could ever raise from. There's nothing wrong with other startup events. We need lots of flavors. Lots of formats. Lots of experiments. And it's quite possible that the above sounds as interesting as sawdust to you. In that case, I hope you find what you are looking for elsewhere. But 8 years in, this is what makes the conference unique. And if rubbing shoulders with these types of individuals sounds like your idea of a great time, I can't wait to see you there. 𝗪𝗵𝗲𝗻: May 22nd, all day 𝗪𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲: CHS Field, St. Paul, MN 𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁: 100% SaaS, 100% startups, 100% Midwest ---> link to more details in the comments below

Fast Tips from Web Summit for Early Stage Startups This year, we presented Big Tale at #WebSummit Lisbon (the only Armenian startup which participate the Web Summit this year) 🚀 Let me share some insights from our participation, including key takeaways that might be helpful for those planning to attend similar events in the future. Let’s dive in ⬇ 1️⃣ The Power of Story At the early stage, you probably don’t have proof your idea works—no customers, no revenue, or contracts. That’s why your story is so important. It needs to be simple, memorable, and inspiring. It should grab people’s attention and make them want to know more, understand your vision, and support you. Your story and your team are your strongest "weapons" at this stage, and they must be tightly interwoven. So, if you haven’t already, start crafting a story that will be unforgetable. 2️⃣ Building Connections Web Summit is one of the biggest tech events in the world (maybe even the biggest!) and the perfect place to meet new people and make connections. No matter what industry you’re in, you’ll find top experts here—or at least people who can help you meet them (remember the six degrees of separation rule!). Use your time wisely to meet as many people as possible—investors, organizers, guests, other startups, and journalists. These connections could be very important for your startup’s future. The goal is simple: make the most of your networking time over the three days. 3️⃣ Do Your Homework At big events, you can’t talk to everyone, so it’s important to know who you want to meet. Take some time to research the people or companies you’re interested in. Find out who they are, where you can meet them, and what to say when you do. This will save you time and make it more likely that you’ll have successful conversations. ✅ Bonus Tip: Time Management Time is your most valuable resource, especially at big events like Web Summit. Don’t waste it—yours or anyone else’s. Be quick: get contacts, agree to follow up by email, and move on. Of course, if someone wants to talk more about your project right then, take the time to discuss it. Otherwise, keep your conversations short, focused and effective. This was my first time participating in Web Summit, and it was really unforgettable. Within three days, the event brought together more than 3,000 startups, 1,000 investors, and 70,000 participants. The event was organized perfectly. Many thanks to the Web Summit team and Paddy Cosgrave for making it all happen 👍 🇦🇲 (հայերենը առաջին մեկնաբանությունում) #bigtale #startup #fast_trips

As promised, Lepak House IS BACK (19/7) and more exciting than ever. Introducing: The Lepak List! 😎🚀 Wherever you are in your founder journey, you've probably thought of the following: 🚀 I don't know who to show my prototype to 🚀 I'm scared of looking like a idiot when I show people my product 🚀 I'm scared of upsetting customers when I launch 🚀 I don't know if people really want what I'm building 🚀 I don't want to show users my product yet because I need to build an app first If any of the above apply to you, this particular Lepak House event is for you! Our past event attendees have given us awesome feedback. Many of you felt like you weren't able to connect with as many people as you'd hope to at our events. With that, this event will be slightly different from past Lepak House events because after the event, founders who choose to opt in 🚀 The Lepak List 🚀 will have access to the emails + LinkedIn of other founders who also opted in. If you choose not to opt in, you will not have access to other emails and LinkedIn profiles but yours will also be kept private from other founders. 🚀 Why are we doing this? 🚀 Some of the best founders in the region are here on this tiny but mighty island, Singapore! However, Henry Mao and I feel like founders here are not playing into one particular unfair advantage enough: launching and failing fast + building in public with each other. It is something bigger incumbents can't and won't do. Culturally, we also prefer presenting something only if it's perfect. This has to change. Imagine how quickly you can ship your product or feature if you have a network of founders you can instantly tap into. Send each other email updates, ask for feedback, schedule a coffee chat with someone you find interesting, test out each other's products, and maybe even sell to each other. When Stripe joined YC in their early days, they sold to other YC startups in their batch. The same applies to many startups in SF. Here in Singapore, we can do the same with our community. 💪 Due to the nature of this event, we'll also do our part in vetting people more stringently this time. We hope to see you there! Leave your ego at the door and come join us for a night of fun. As usual, all Lepak House events are anti formal and anti business cards, just bring your best lepak vibes. :) ________________________________ Who should attend: Founders (early-stage, launched, haven't launched, pre-revenue, pre-product, trying to leave your corporate job, failed startup, whatever!) Who should not attend: If you intend to come to this event just to close a sale and nothing else, there are probably better events for that... Where: Lepak House (near Jalan Besar MRT) When: July 19th Friday 6.30pm - 9.30pm *I've been asked by some of my fellow Malaysian founders to post about our events earlier so you guys have time to plan a trip down to Sg. 🤗 More event details + registration link in the comments! 👇

Excited to share my key takeaways from the Pathways to Tech event! 🚀 The recent Pathways to Tech Event was a remarkable experience, featuring insightful talks from some of the tech industry's leading figures. Here's a summary of what I learned: Key Takeaways: Shariar Kabir - CEO of Ruby (YC 23): Key Insight: Shariar emphasized the importance of cultivating a strong company culture, especially in fast-growing startups. He shared how Ruby's success at Y Combinator stemmed from focusing on core values and team alignment. Favorite Quote: "Success isn't just about the product; it's about people and purpose." Miguel Acero - CTO of Ruby (YC 23): Key Insight: Miguel discussed the role of innovation in tech and how Ruby leverages cutting-edge technology to stay ahead of the curve. His perspective on balancing innovation with practical application was eye-opening. Favorite Quote: "Innovation is not just about new ideas; it's about executing them efficiently." Dustin Beadle - Director at Lattice: Key Insight: Dustin highlighted the importance of leadership and adaptability in the rapidly evolving tech landscape. His transition from AMD to Lattice demonstrated how adaptability drives success in different organizational cultures. Favorite Quote: "Adaptability is the bridge between knowledge and wisdom." Nabeel Alamgir - CEO of LunchBox: Key Insight: Nabeel's journey of raising $100M in VC funding was truly inspiring. He shared valuable tips on fundraising and building investor relationships, emphasizing authenticity and transparency. Favorite Quote: "Invest in relationships, not just ideas." My Favorite Speaker: While each speaker brought unique perspectives, Nabeel Alamgir stood out as my favorite. His authentic storytelling and insights into building a startup from scratch were incredibly motivating. His experience in raising significant VC funding provided practical takeaways for aspiring entrepreneurs. Prioritizing the Ruby Partnership: With the exciting partnership announced between our Fellowship program and Ruby, I'm eager to maximize my chances of getting hired by Ruby. Here’s my plan: Deepen My Understanding of Ruby's Technology Stack: I'll prioritize learning Ruby's tools and technologies, particularly focusing on areas that align with my skills in cybersecurity and software engineering. Engage with Ruby's Community: Actively participating in Ruby's community events and discussions to network with their team and gain insights into their work culture. Apply Event Insights: Leverage the lessons learned from the speakers to refine my approach to innovation, leadership, and teamwork, aligning with Ruby's core values. Thank you to the speakers for sharing your experiences and wisdom, and to the organizers for creating such an enriching event. 🌟 #PathwaysToTech, #Ruby, #TechEvent, #CareerGrowth, #Networking #headstarter.ai

How tech conferences shape startup environment. Web Summit 2024 bottomline & key takeaways for startups: For 15 years in a row, the #WebSummit team has been working hard to create the gold standard for the tech conference business. Since its origin, the team has focused on providing as many networking opportunities as possible. This year, WebSummit has introduced meetups. Last year, there were fringe events, and in previous years, there were dedicated networking zones on the premises. Today, WebSummit has about 71512 participants, 250 meetings, 953 speakers, 2050 exhibitors (mostly startups) and 1066 investors. What helps startups stand out from the crowd and take full advantage of the event? Stand for simplicity. Clear Call to action and tagline are critical. There is no time & energy to spend on deepdiving; making your value proposition clear is your homework. Use the advantage of yourself. WebSummit is pretty strict about the usage of any extra branding on your booth, but no one will stop you from wearing a shirt with a clear message of what you are doing. Don’t hesitate. Applications are going on a rolling basis, so apply as asoon as possible and work on your preparation and pitch. Add humanity. People still work with people, and relations and trust are critical to the way they are funded. Look for human ways to grab attention. If you know something about your investors (they like Start Wars:) Map your stakeholders- Look for partnerships, investors, clients, partners, anyone who can move the needle of your idea forward. FOLLOWUP “Poor followup strategy kills momentum)," Jenny Lindblad says, and there is no way to say better.

Just got back from my first-ever #WebSummit in #Lisbon, and let me tell you—it was like stepping into a tech version of Willy Wonka's factory, minus the Oompa Loompas but with twice the confusion! #LLM and #AgenticLLM Everywhere: LLMs are the new ketchup. They're being slathered onto everything from apps to appliances. Sometimes it adds that extra zing, and other times... well, you wish you could send it back to the kitchen. But when the pairing is just right? The opportunities are astronomically delicious. #Startups Galore: Navigating through hundreds of alpha and beta startup booths felt like speed-dating on steroids. One moment you're hearing about StreetView-powered random travel agencies (SkysMyth), the next it's Dream-to-Reality conversion app (Futudo Foundation). It's dynamic, it's chaotic, and occasionally, it's comedy gold. Crowded Spaces & The Great Escape: If you've ever wanted to experience what it's like to be a sardine, Web Summit's got you covered. The venue was so packed that "personal space" became a myth. Pro tip: Wear comfortable shoes—for the walking and the strategic dodging. Depth? Not So Much: Came seeking wisdom from tech giants? Prepare for 15-minute sound bites that leave you with more questions than answers. It's like getting the trailer instead of the movie. For deep dives, stick to your favorite blogs, podcasts, and YouTube channels—they've already gone 10x deeper. Unexpected Gems: However, stumbling into random talks did lead to some unexpected "Eureka!" moments. It's like finding a $20 bill in an old jacket—you weren't looking for it, but it made your day. For Scale-Ups Like Collective Minds: For later-stage companies like us, the real value was in the pre-booked investor meetings. Without those, it's a bit like fishing without bait—you'll be surrounded by water but won't catch much. All in all, Web Summit 2024 was a rollercoaster of tech buzzwords, networking highs and lows, and the occasional existential crisis about the future of AI-flavored everything. Would I do it again? Ask me after I've recovered from the crowd-induced claustrophobia! Até a próxima, Lisbon! 🇵🇹

🚀🚀 🚀 Introducing the 2024 Seedscout Summit Pitch Slam!!! The pitch slam is where founders go head-to-head throughout the entire Seedscout summit and pitch their ideas (without a deck) to a full room, and a panel of judges. Many will pitch, but only one founder will win. And what will they win? • A cash prize (Amount TBD by final ticket sale amount) • A full-length feature in my newsletter (7k subscribers, 40% open rate, global reach to early adopters in tech hubs like SF, NYC, Austin, and more) • A 30-minute Zoom conversation with Eric Ries, Author of The Lean Startup, to talk about whatever they want (Get feedback on company, talk about your career, etc) Pretty cool prizes if you ask me! Steps to join the Seedscout Pitch Slam Competition Pool: 1. Record a video of yourself explaining what your startup does. Put some energy into it. Get us hyped! This should be less investor-facing and more like you’re talking to a potential customer. 60 seconds max! If you go over, it won't count. 2. Post video on LinkedIn, with the hashtag #SeedscoutPitchSlam and promote it to your friends, customers, and family. This gives you an excuse to promote your product and hype it up. What’s stopping you?! Your goal is to do this until you have at least 50 likes on the post. 3. Once your video has over 50 likes or hearts, submit it to seedscout.com/pitchslam. If you do this, you will be guaranteed a chance to pitch on the summit stage if you pass this test (and clear the rules below). I don’t need to think your idea is cool to pitch. The market decides! Some more rules: 1. You must have a ticket to the summit to pitch. This helps grow the prize pool. A portion of every ticket goes to the cash prize. If you cannot afford a ticket, I get it! DM me and we can figure something out. I don’t want this to be prohibitive to founders out there grinding with little return yet. 2. If I believe you have used fake engagements to boost likes on your post, I will tell you why I feel that way and give you a chance to refute it. If, after that, I still believe you used bots to generate engagement, you will be disqualified. 3. Your post must have the hashtag #SeedscoutPitchSlam to qualify. The online submission period is open until October 18th at 11:59pm, so post, promote, and submit your video before then. Oh, and nothing is stopping you from DMing me your video to check out! Maybe I'll like it and even reshare to my 15k+ following base on here. Ok that's it! Happy evangelizing and we'll see the best of you on stage on October 24th! 🚀🚀 🚀