Erik Zahnlecker’s Post

F*ck it, Ghent Slush'D was awesome "I don't really feel like going" Was my first thought, thinking back to all those events that feel like a maze of corporate booths and overwhelming chaos. Ghent Slush'd was something different, so props to them. Here's what other events can learn from them: 1. The atmosphere was fun, airy, and friendly - not your typical corporate vibe. 2. Well-designed spaces included resting areas and fun activities, making networking feel natural. 3. A unique reverse pitching session where VCs pitched to startups - now that's a twist! 4. An efficient app for matching and meeting people - no more awkward small talk. 5. The event space was divided into different areas, creating a cozy feeling. 6. Startup pitching competition (featuring Noémie Bultot, who did a damn great job at presenting Jay) The real magic? Their laser focus on their niche. Instead of trying to cover everything from AI to HR, they niched down on startups and investors. And it worked brilliantly. The result? An event where you actually feel like you're there for a reason, not just another face in the crowd. Big thumbs up to their awesome team 👏

Powerful message. Founders should invest every dollar in their employees and customer experience. You eat last and maybe not at all. #startups

⭐️A Winning Team.⭐️ It’s one of the magic factors of a successful startup. But how well do we really know the people we invest in? 🧐 In this training by FiBAN Partner HRS Advisors Oy, we discover how to evaluate startup teams effectively and what to look for. Join the breakfast to learn how to recognize a winning team. Limited seats! 👉https://lnkd.in/dzcFf3vq

For those transitioning from Corporate America and venturing down the entrepreneurial path.... (registration link in the comments) #startup #entrepreneur #brightminds #connectors #venture #founder

One of the most important considerations for founders raising capital is who to bring onto their cap tables. Understanding the investors you are speaking to is not just fundamental for successful fundraising, it's also absolutely critical to long term alignment and success. Join the OnePitch VC Reverse Pitch Party today at 3pm to learn more about 18 of Australia's most active early-stage investors on one call. Tag any raising, or soon-to-be-raising founders you know! Giant Leap Rampersand Macdoch Ventures Alberts Sprint Ventures Aura Ventures Five V Capital Black Nova Venture Capital Investible Carthona Capital OIF Ventures Tidal Ventures Cut Through Venture OneVentures Square Peg Black Sheep Capital Archangel Ventures

What's the secret to a perfect pitch? It's all about leaving your audience eager to learn more — and no one knows this better than Nick Hughes, the founder and CEO of Founders Live, who joined us in our latest Roadmap episode. Founders Live started as a simple 99-second pitch competition in Seattle and grew into a global startup ecosystem connecting early-stage startups from 50+ countries with potential investors. So it's safe to say Nick knows a thing or two about pitches. In our chat, we also talked about: ➡ What's the biggest difference between American and European founders? ➡ What should you avoid when pitching? ➡ What's the best way to open a pitch? You can watch the full episode here: https://lnkd.in/dKqFp7UB

"I quickly realized that this time, no VC would do the validation for me” Second-time founders have many privileges, but they also face unique challenges. In our ideas rip launch event, Ron Reiter talked about going through the ideation-validation journey as someone who has been there before, and how it makes things look different. VCs’ enthusiasm to invest in him - no matter what he planned to build - made him take a step back, understanding that he needed to convince himself, rather than anyone else, that the idea for his second startup was truly viable. Watch the full video for more of his insights ⬇️ follow the first comment for more clips from the event

The startup scene in Atlanta continues to amaze me—so many incredible founders connecting, collaborating, and creating spaces for each other to grow. It’s exciting to see communities like this thriving and building momentum. Had an incredible time at Village Capital’s Reverse Pitch event, where accelerators took the stage to pitch to founders! It’s inspiring to see Southeast Entrepreneur Support Organizations (ESOs) championing overlooked founders across industries. The founder’s journey is never easy—it’s full of twists and lessons learned. That’s why I started SlideDeckk to empower founders with the tools and stories they need to succeed. It was also such a joy to finally meet the founder of Amiqo, a brilliant builder I’ve admired online for a while, shout out to Kyle Schaffer ! There’s nothing like turning those digital connections into real-world relationships! And it’s not just Atlanta. Growing startup scenes in cities like Charlotte are creating similar energy, which is why I’m excited to head to Venture135 next week. Here’s to building stronger ecosystems across the Southeast! Founders, what’s been your biggest challenge lately? Let’s connect—shoot me a DM!

📣 Coming to Slush? Check Business Finland side events on 20-21 Nov ▶ foreign companies & investors are welcome to collaborate with the Finnish companies & ecosystems: 20 Nov: Climate tech for built environment – go-to-market 20 Nov: Startup in Finland 20 Nov: How to Engage with Leading Companies' Ecosystems 2.0 20 Nov: Finnish Quantum Tech and Investor matchmaking 21 Nov: Innovating your next Big Thing in Finland 21 Nov: New Business from Remote Sensing Data – Investors and Companies Get Together #EENCanHelp

My startup network, ahoy! Here is a webinar that may be interesting for you! 🚀 #funding #startup