On July 24, the EIT ICT Labs Idea Challenge team kicked off the very first Founders’ Pit Stop – an event designed to provide startups with information, advices, tricks and services on different topics concerning founders.
As the name already indicates, Founders’ Pit Stop aims to be fast but efficient. No long theories and no boring presentations that invite you to drift away with your thoughts (happens to the best of us). The presentations are short, on the point and try to be as close to practice as possible.
Marketing and Communications 101
Following a survey that we conducted amongst over 100 startups we found out that a vast majority is very interested in Marketing and Communications related topics. That’s why we decided to dedicate the first Founders’ Pit Stop to the question how startups can pimp their public appearance.
We invited the experts Alexa Shoen (PR strategist from Silicon Valley) and David Knight (editor in chief Silicon Allee) as well as the EIT ICT Labs Marketing and Communications Managers Maren Lesche and Hanneke Riedijk to not only share their insights but also to give participants the opportunity to talk in 1:1s with them about their individual activities. Interested startups were asked to make either Skype or face-to-face appointments and to send their Marketing or PR material upfront to give the experts enough time to prepare the feedback.
Pizza, Beer & good conversations
Ten founders attended the event in Berlin while around 15 followed the presentations via Google hangout – or at least tried to follow them online, since we had to deal with technical difficulties.
However, the atmosphere in Berlin couldn’t be any better. Good food (pizza - what else!) and German beer ensured a relaxed ambience and good conversations. The innovators exchanged experiences and used the networking opportunity to talk to the experts – especially those who didn't have 1:1s before.
Next Founders’ Pit Stop
The next Founders’ Pit Stop will take place on August 20 – but this time it will be a pure offline event. So save the date, if you are in Berlin and interested in crowdfunding topics. More information will follow soon.
