Over the previous yr, I’ve had the chance to talk at outstanding occasions equivalent to WebSummit, EU-Startups Summit, slush, and a number of other different influential conferences. These appearances performed a pivotal function in serving to me safe investments, forge partnerships, and acquire important media protection for my startup. Every look not solely expanded my community but in addition offered a platform to showcase our imaginative and prescient to key stakeholders.
Attending occasions that align along with your targets can have a transformative impression in your startup. Whether or not you’re in search of traders, media protection, or potential partnerships, these occasions provide unparalleled alternatives to attach with the correct individuals, construct credibility, and create momentum. Listed here are my prime suggestions for maximizing success earlier than, throughout, and after a tech occasion.
Earlier than the occasion
Apply to talking and pitching alternatives to realize extra visibility. Many conferences open speaker functions months prematurely, providing an opportunity to safe a spot on stage somewhat than simply attending. This transforms your participation into an lively platform for showcasing your work and increasing your community amongst different audio system. Apply for pitch competitions even whenever you’re not actively fundraising. Pitching periods not solely put you in entrance of potential traders but in addition aid you refine your pitch by real-time suggestions. At all times seize the prospect to pitch—you by no means know who is perhaps watching or listening.
Join with individuals you wish to meet in particular person prematurely. These might be traders, journalists, fellow founders, prime accelerator representatives, or potential shoppers. Eugenia Dunaeva, Angel investor and former Director of Ecosystems Partnerships at Meta EMEA stated: “In case your purpose is to really have significant negotiation/dialogue to occur throughout the occasion, join with the correct contact 3-4 weeks prior, and squeeze as a lot as attainable out of this chance BEFORE your assembly. Current a demo, even ship a contract proposal—all with the thought of utilizing this chance to fulfill face-to-face throughout the occasion to create some urgency.”
In the course of the Occasion
Attend facet occasions. Don’t restrict your self to simply the principle venue—attend facet occasions to foster deeper private connections. Keep in mind, you seemingly received’t shut a sale or get an investor to signal a examine on the primary assembly.
Ancillary occasions would possibly even yield higher connections than the principle present as a result of they’re extra about constructing real relationships with extra alternatives for invaluable face-to-face interactions. Eugenia additionally suggests to “suppose mid-funnel”—use the time at occasions for deepening present relationships, not specializing in new ones. A handful of significant connections is much extra highly effective than 100 surface-level interactions with individuals who received’t keep in mind you. Networking isn’t nearly who you recognize–it’s about who is aware of you.
Leverage the team-building energy of occasions. Startup occasions and summits don’t simply join you with potential traders and companions—they’re additionally nice for strengthening inner relationships inside your staff and along with your present traders. On the Ladies in Tech International Summit, a number of of our traders have been in a position to meet one another in particular person for the primary time and construct connections amongst themselves. The Summit offered the proper backdrop for these introductions, filled with facilitated social occasions and networking alternatives.
Julia Sabitova, COO & Co-founder of CloEE, stated: “Attending occasions collectively covers a number of wants of the staff directly: communication, planning, and team-building. Taking part in occasions additionally has a constructive impression on staff dynamics and permits traders and clients to get to know these behind the startup’s improvement.”
Your staff may also play a pivotal function in constructing new connections. I attended the EU-Startups Summit with one in all our angel traders who occurred to be with me once I met a potential investor by the occasion app. That preliminary interplay allowed the brand new investor to realize instant exterior validation from one other knowledgeable, and only a month later we closed the deal. Sturdy relationships inside your staff and between your traders could make your startup extra enticing to potential backers, displaying that your organization isn’t just an thought, however a tightly-knit operation constructed on belief and shared imaginative and prescient.
After the occasion
- Share your impressions: The occasion doesn’t finish when it’s over. The true worth is commonly realized later. A well-crafted LinkedIn publish with footage from the occasion can assist maintain the momentum, maintaining your community engaged with key insights and takeaways from the convention.
- Observe up with connections new and previous: This may be so simple as a brief thank-you notice or a proposal to attach them with others in your community that is perhaps a superb match for his or her pursuits. If you’ll find a technique to shut a loop on potential alternatives and assist strengthen your community within the days following an occasion, everybody wins.
In-person occasions are uniquely positioned to fulfill many individuals multi function place and create a way of urgency, particularly amongst potential traders. The thrill, pleasure, and face-to-face interactions construct an environment the place traders don’t wish to miss out on a superb deal. By creating a robust technique earlier than, throughout, and after startup occasions, you may assist make it simpler for them to grab these alternatives and create nice recollections alongside the way in which.
