Gor Geghamyan’s Post

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.

Have you ever wondered how some startups skyrocket with early traction while others struggle to get their first users? It’s not just about the product. It’s about where you take it. And in many cases, the key to gaining that early traction isn’t sitting behind a screen, but stepping out and presenting your product to the right audience. Let me tell you a story about what happened when we took Mazic to MagicBall’s Largest AI Summit just two weeks ago. We were invited to present Mazic, and everything changed after that. Here's what happened: ● We added over 100 companies to our beta waitlist—just from that event. ● Mazic became the buzzword of the summit, and the afterparty was full of people coming up to us, asking questions and wanting to know more. ● We connected with 4-5 potential investors on the spot. In the last two weeks, we’ve already had 4 discovery calls with some of India’s leading VCs. ● People started reaching out to us organically on LinkedIn, wanting to learn more about Mazic. ● Our website saw a surge of over 1,000 visitors—all driven by word-of-mouth from the summit. ● We launched our beta waitlist for 25 companies right after the event, driven purely by the buzz we built. Why Conferences and Events Matter The reason I’m sharing this story is to show how powerful conferences and events can be for early-stage startups. Here’s why they matter: Instant Traction: You’re showcasing your product in front of hundreds, sometimes thousands, of potential users. You get to explain the value in real time, answer questions, and build immediate interest. Validation: Presenting at a conference is like putting your product through a validation test. You get immediate feedback, see reactions firsthand, and know what excites your audience. It helps refine your product, messaging, and strategy. Networking: At MagicBall, we didn’t just meet potential customers; we met investors, partners, and even competitors. These connections are invaluable for the future. Buzz: If you nail your presentation, you create buzz. Mazic became the talk of the event, and that momentum carried into the weeks that followed. The attention is not limited to the event—you’ll continue to see organic interest long after the doors close. Building Credibility: When you stand on a stage, present your product, and speak with confidence, it builds credibility. You’re seen as serious, as a leader in your space. That level of exposure is hard to get through online channels alone, especially as a new brand. The Lesson? If you're in the early stages of building your product, get out there. Whether it’s a small local event or a large industry summit, being in front of real people can change everything. It's not just about the feedback or sales—it’s about momentum. The traction, relationships, and credibility you build from attending events can be a game-changer. So, are you ready to take your startup out of the office and into the real world?

This was my first time attending Web Summit, thanks to Cradle Fund, and wow, it was massive! Over 70k people from all around the world gathered in Lisbon for this 3-day event. The scale of it was mind-blowing—there were 5 halls, 16 speaking stages, and even an indoor stadium. Despite the huge size of the event, everything was so well-organized. It was easy to find my way around, and the event was well-planned to ensure smooth logistics. This year’s Web Summit was all about AI. It’s clear that AI is no longer a novelty—it’s an expectation. Everywhere you looked, people were talking about how they include AI in their products. One of the coolest things at the summit was the massive country showcases. Qatar, Brazil, and Germany really stood out with huge booths showing off what their countries are doing in tech. It was like a mini-World Expo of innovation, and they are pushing hard to attract startups to their country. We was given a booth for one day, and let me tell you, it was a whirlwind. I arrived at 9 AM and was talking non-stop with attendees, founders, and potential partners until 5 PM. It was an awesome experience, meeting so many people interested in what we do, sharing ideas, and building connections. We were placed under the “BETA” category, meaning we’re established and generating revenue but still growing. Many new founders came to us asking for advice on how to scale and grow like we did. I was happy to share our journey, the ups and downs, and give them some pointers on what worked for us. If you’re going to Web Summit hoping to meet investors, I’d say it’s probably not the place for that. Instead, it’s more about connecting with other founders who are in a similar position to yours. You get to learn from their experiences, struggles, and successes. And while you might not meet investors directly, you can get intros to their investors. One of the best parts of the summit was the side events—meetups, mixers, and dinners. These events are where the real connections happen. You get to meet like-minded people and have more intimate, deeper discussions. I attended a dinner hosted by Endeavor Portugal and joined an Edtech meetup. If you’re thinking about going next year, definitely make sure to join these smaller events. Another great experience was learning about startups from other regions. It was eye-opening to hear about the challenges faced by entrepreneurs in different parts of the world and how they overcame them. I made new friends, shared my own experiences, and we exchanged ideas. The global perspective was invaluable. Web Summit is a great place to expose yourself to what other people are building in the tech world. I saw so many new ideas and technologies that sparked inspiration for what we could build next. It was a chance to learn, innovate, and get a glimpse of the future of tech.

Tech events for startups, tech enthusiasts, and innovators [Autumn, 2024]👇 One tip I would give to any founder: "Don't be afraid of networking and building connections🤝." I know stepping out of your comfort zone can be stressful, and sometimes even scary😖. But isn’t trying something new essential for growth and exploring new opportunities? 👉 Attend networking events🗓, meet other startup founders, entrepreneurs, and investors. And if you haven’t decided which event to attend this season, here are a few options for you🔻 🔴 Expand North Star 🗓 October 13-16 📍 Dubai, UAE The world’s largest event for startups and investors. Six tech-focused days with more than 1,000 investors and over 1,800 international startups. 🔴 Bits & Pretzels 🗓 September 29 - October 1 📍 Munich, Germany Bits & Pretzels hosts 7,500 founders, investors, and industry leaders for three days of learning, networking, and doing business during Munich’s Oktoberfest. 🔴 TechCrunch Disrupt 2024 🗓 October 28-30 📍 San Francisco, USA Disrupt offers innovation for every stage of your startup journey, from budding founders to seasoned entrepreneurs. Unparalleled resources, connections, and expert insights to propel your venture forward. 🔴 Web Summit Lisbon 🗓 November 11-14 📍 Lisbon, Portugal Web Summit will gather 70,000+ people and the companies redefining the tech industry. A tech event with 1,000+ investors and 3,000+ startups, ready to discuss the future of tech innovation. P.S. Last year, our itjet team attended Web Summit, so maybe we even met there! 🔴 Slush 2024 🗓 November 20-21 📍 Helsinki, Finland Looking for a tech event with industry leaders, tech enthusiasts, and innovators? Slush 2024 is a great choice: 25,000 attendees, 2,000 startups, and 4,000 investors. Have you added any of these events to your calendar yet?✅ #startup #startups #founder #founders #startuptips #event #networking #websummit #slush

🚀 This is the rebrand! 🚀 Rebranding is never a light decision, but we made it with purpose. While we’re not affiliated with Web Summit, our goal has always been to help attendees connect with intention and meaning. We wanted to create a platform that makes networking more purposeful—not just for this event but for any gathering where people are looking to connect over shared goals and challenges. The SumMeet is more than just a tool; it’s a community-driven platform designed to bridge connections, foster learning, and turn every question into an opportunity. This is only the beginning, and we’re excited to see how far The SumMeet can go beyond Web Summit. #TheSumMeet #Rebrand #PurposefulConnections #Community #Networking #Innovation #BeyondEvents #WebSummit

November strikes us again with Web Summit, something that we all have been looking for. No surprise it’s easy to miss on other events taking place this month. And Portugal is especially rich with … Helsinki, Copenhagen, Lisbon, AROUND PR studio keeps you updated with our usual list of events you can visit in November. ◾ Slush Slush is on a mission to create and help founders to change the world. To support that, Slush 2024 will bring together 5,500 startup founders and operators and 3,300 investors looking to back the next generation of exceptional founders. When: November 19-21, 2024. Where: Helsinki, Finland ◾ Kraków Tech Summit This event brings together creators: representatives of business, startups, creative industries, academia, and innovation. When: 6 November 2024. Where: Krakow, Poland ◾ Portugal Tech Week 2024 Portugal Tech Week is the largest decentralized innovation festival in Portugal that gathers professionals, entrepreneurs, and innovators. When: November 8-18, 2024. Where: Portugal ◾ Web Summit 2024 4 days of talks that matter to startup and tech community, networking, masterclasses and much more. This event doesn’t require a special introduction. When: November 13-16, 2024. Where: Lisbon, Portugal. ◾ The Europas Yet another event in Portugal for us from this month. Lisbon brings together shortlisted startups, esteemed judges, and special guests, with introduction from Mike Butcher. When: November 13, 2025. Where: Lisbon, Portugal.

Fyi: >>>Please Read if in the #StLouisRegionStartUpEcoSystemNetwork “ In the wake of #VentureCafé, new networking events emerge” #NathanRubbelke” #StLouisRegionStartUpEcoSystemNetwork #EdSchneider, #StartLouis, #WereStartUpsStart. Link:

Let’s be honest—being a founder sometimes feels like juggling swords while riding a unicycle on a tightrope. You’ve got to secure funding, build a rockstar team, create a website that doesn’t crash, figure out a business structure that won’t implode, and oh yeah, make sure your pitch deck doesn’t put people to sleep. It’s no wonder your to-do list feels like an endless list of actions you have to take. But what if there was a place where you could find all the tools, tips, and connections you need to make this crazy ride a little smoother? A place where you can learn how to take your brilliant idea from “Eureka!” to “Hey, I have customers!” And who knows, maybe even win a trip to Draper University in San Mateo to level up your founder game. On September 19, the Startup Festival is where you need to be. Join us for a day of learning, networking, and also a little bit of fun. Don’t miss out—it’s time to turn juggle those flaming swords.

In February this year, together with Nafsika P. we set up MelaTech, with the aim of organising tech events, to allow us to bring together the local tech community. We are now a few days away from our first community event, Tech Runners, and we are keen and looking forward to see this come together. In this post, I wanted to share some thoughts about the good, the bad and the ugly in the MelaTech experience in these first months. The Good: - A Thrilling Ride: Launching a startup has been an exhilarating experience, filled with critical decision-making that will shape our path for years to come. Every step has been an opportunity to make a lasting impact. - Learning and Growing: These past few months have been incredible from a learning perspective. From understanding company structures and compliance to diving deep into marketing, business development, and consumer behavior, the growth has been both challenging and rewarding. - Community Support: The response from the local tech community has been overwhelming. We’ve seen a genuine hunger for community-driven tech events, and we’re grateful for the early support from sponsors who believed in our vision from the very beginning. Your backing was crucial—thank you! The Bad: - New Territory: Organizing tech events in Malta is still a relatively novel concept, which sometimes means starting conversations by explaining our mission and the importance of continuous learning and development. We're optimistic that after our first event, attendees will be inspired to share the value of these experiences with their colleagues. The Ugly: - HR Challenges: As an HR professional, I recognize that this is a critical area in an organisation. In the fast-paced environment of a startup, roles and responsibilities can blur, making it essential to establish clearer boundaries as we grow. It’s a lesson we’re taking to heart. Despite the challenges, I’m loving every moment of this journey and am eagerly anticipating reaching the first milestone with Tech Runners. This is just the beginning, and I’m excited to see where this path will lead us. #startup #techcommunity #learning #growth #entrepreneurship #events

Arrange meetings with 106 startups from 37 countries Digital Fair of the Start.up! Germany Tour takes place on April 18! Discover global innovations with the Start.up! Germany Tour We invite you to become part of an exciting international project that can open up new horizons for your company. The Start.up! Germany Tour brings 106 startups from 37 countries directly to you. (Emoji) Experience innovation: For the first time, the Start.up! Germany Tour offers a digital fair where you have the opportunity to discover startups from all over the world, find out about their visions and arrange direct meetings. (Emoji) Benefit from partnerships: Get to know the innovative power of startups and explore opportunities for collaboration that will open up new avenues for your company. (Emoji) The Digital Fair will take place on Thursday, April 18. Secure your access and be there when the future of business is being shaped! The procedure is very simple: 1. Take a look at the profiles of our startups on the website https://lnkd.in/gsV9rik5. You can use the hashtags and other filter options to quickly find the right companies. 2. Book a free time slot on the respective subpage of the startup. 3. The startup will then contact you and send you a link to the corresponding video tool.   Companies from all over the world are welcome to take part in the Digital Fair. We would therefore like to take this opportunity to ask you to promote the Digital Fair in your networks so that companies worldwide can benefit from it. To do so, we have attached a graphic as well as two short texts that you can use for promoting the Digital Fair. We will take care of contacting the participating startups regarding the Digital Fair, so you don't have to worry about that.   If you have any questions remaining, please reach out. Thanks a lot for your help! We look forward to connecting you with the world's leading startups!