Startup Runway’s Post

Munich, the Scale-up City 2030 – why Ecosystem Thinking matters Matthias Notz and I are really looking forward to the upcoming Munich Meetup, presented by the MUNICH INNOVATION ECOSYSTEM. We'll host an interactive session to discuss Munich as a #scaleupcity for 2030 and why #ecosystemthinking is so important today. 🔍 As #scaleups are vital for an innovation ecosystem and a formidable force in economic growth and job opportunities, we will discuss what it takes to unlock the city’s full potential and pave the way to the future. 🤝We bring together high-level decision-makers and leaders from industry, academia, politics, and the entrepreneurial community. I am looking forward to engaging sessions featuring Dr. Fabian Mehring, Thomas Zeller, PhD Laura Hirvi, Anna Wörner, , Dominik Krause, Wieland Holfelder 🏳️🌈, Sarah Fleischer, Bernhard Kowatsch, Clemens Baumgärtner, Prof. Dagmar M. Schuller, Dr. Sophie Ahrens-Gruber, Mirko Mondan, Markus Bohl, Klaus Sailer, Sarah Wittlieb, Frizzi Engler-Hamm, MBA and many more! 🌟 🌐Let's strengthen our ecosystem and shape the future of #Munich together! #communitybuilding #innovation #scaleups

Last week at DiscoveryX in Toronto was an eye-opening experience for the Launch Kawartha team! As we take a moment to reflect on the whirlwind of insights and connections, we're excited to share our key takeaways with you: 1️⃣ Networking Goldmine: Our team's dedicated networking efforts paid off in spades! We forged invaluable connections across diverse sectors like agritech, healthcare, clean technologies, and post-secondary research. The potential for collaboration and growth in Kawartha Lakes is truly boundless. 2️⃣ Beyond Urban Centers: The conference confirmed what we've been observing - startups are increasingly exploring opportunities outside major urban hubs. Kawartha Lakes is emerging as a promising destination for innovative ventures seeking a supportive ecosystem. 3️⃣ More than Funding: We learned that funding isn't just about the money. What else can a funder or partner bring to the table? It's about finding the right fit and leveraging additional resources for long-term success. 4️⃣ Angel Investors and Beyond: Seed and early-stage ventures thrive with support from angel investors. The capital landscape is challenging, but with more options, entrepreneurs increase their chances of success. 5️⃣ Kawartha Lakes Advantage: Our region is uniquely positioned to support high-growth sectors like cleantech and agritech. From natural resources to quality of life, Kawartha Lakes offers a compelling proposition for innovative enterprises. 6️⃣ Making Meaningful Connections: Events like DiscoveryX are invaluable for uncovering resources and potential partners. Launch Kawartha is proud to serve as a gateway to these opportunities, enriching our community and fostering innovation. As we continue to harness the momentum from DiscoveryX, we're excited about the possibilities ahead for Kawartha Lakes! If you attended the conference, we'd love to hear your perspective and learnings. Feel free to share in the comments for all to benefit. #TeamKawarthaLakes #LaunchKawartha #Innovation #DiscoveryX Lindsey Schoenmakers Rebecca Mustard Ec.D. Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario | Agence fédérale de ...

#VisionaryGrit In the world of innovation, having a great idea isn’t enough. What really matters is possessing the grit and persistence to bring that idea to life, no matter the challenges. This ethos of transformation and tenacity is embodied by Do Greater, Inc. | The Creative Labs platform. Our story began five years ago with a straightforward concept: a mobile truck that brought access to creativity directly to the community. This initial spark evolved into an 8,000-square-foot facility dedicated to empowering a new generation of entrepreneurs and innovators. Now, we’re scaling new heights with a new creative space—a 20,000-square-foot building in the heart of Uptown Charlotte, located on the historic site of the former Gantt Huberman building. This expansion aims to bridge Uptown Charlotte with the under-resourced communities in the Corridors of Opportunity, creating a thriving ecosystem where potential can flourish. As we stood before this iconic site, we were inspired to ask ourselves, “Why not?” and “Why not Do Greater?” This isn’t just about growth; it’s a testament to what we define as ‘visionary grit’—the relentless drive not only to dream but also to act and succeed. At Do Greater, our name is our mission. We are committed to pushing boundaries, overcoming obstacles, and making a real, tangible impact. As we build this space and join the skyline of opportunity, let’s remember that grit means more than just beginning—it means persisting, adapting, and thriving through every challenge. Let’s embrace this journey together and lay a foundation of visionary grit, not just in what we build, but in how we build it. Think and Do. #DoGreaterCharlotte #CreativeLab #VisionaryGrit #Leadership #Innovation #CommunityImpact

It's been an incredible experience being part of the Halcyon Climate Fellowship cohort in Washington, DC. Over the past month, we've had the opportunity to engage in skill sessions with industry experts, providing invaluable knowledge and practical insights for the Fellows and ourselves. Here's a look at the impactful sessions we've had so far: Pricing Strategies: Insights from Deloitte's John Mennel analyzing the different cases that exist when you want to position a price in the market. Aligning Sales Funnel and Cash Flow Model: Guidance from Dave McCarthy focused on submitting for grants from the United States government. Digital Marketing and Digital Communications: Practical tips from Patti Kurtz, she provided invaluable insights on building an effective creating engaging content. Demystifying the Climate Finance Landscape: Comprehensive overview of the Climate VC world by Jamil Wyne with different perspectives for investors on different stages. Building, Growing, and Nurturing High Performance Teams: Lessons from Ellen Kuskin Eisenberg she told us about her story of building a business and how to retain the people who are most valuable to the company. Networking Strategies: Valuable advice from Kimberly Johnson Roberts she gave us tips on how to connect in a kind and genuine way with people in networking Public Speaking: Techniques and tips from Coby Jones, an insightful story coming from her own experiences in DC. These sessions have been incredibly valuable, equipping us with the skills and knowledge needed to advance our ventures and tackle the world's greatest climate challenges. I'll try to post and update more about we are experiencing and learning! #HalcyonAccelerator #ClimateAction #Entrepreneurship #SkillDevelopment #Sustainability #Networking

🌟 Excited to Share: Selected for the 31st Munich Management Colloquium 🌟 Thrilled to announce my selection for the prestigious 31st Munich Management Colloquium, themed "STRONG TOGETHER: Resilience through Networking and Collaboration." In today's dynamic landscape, the imperative for collaboration amidst challenges is undeniable. The traditional notion of decoupling from shocks while fostering collaboration is evolving rapidly. As highlighted in recent strategy papers, the global landscape is being delineated into distinct blocks, necessitating a strategic shift towards interconnectedness. At the colloquium, I'll join over 80 esteemed CEOs of world's top companies, managers, innovative startups, and thought leaders to delve into this paradigm shift. Together, we'll explore how companies can navigate complexities by forging robust alliances and leveraging ecosystems for sustainable growth. Looking forward to insightful discussions on March 5th and 6th, 2024, as we chart the course towards resilience through collaboration. Excited to collaborate and learn from (naming just a few)- Bo Inge Andersson Sami Atiya Karlheinz Baumann Dr. Ralf Belusa Dr. Katharina Beumelburg Daniel Bischofberger Virginie Briand Renata Jungo Brüngger Lars Brzoska Johannes Bussmann Heinrich Dreyer Nicole Dreyer-Langlet Jochen Eickholt Tobias Fausch Gunther Friedl Glaser-Gallion Toralf Haag Markus Haas Christian Hartel Thomas F. Hofmann Marianne Janik Stefan Klebert Philipp Kroetz Finja Carolin Kütz Janina Kugel Peter Laier Christian Pfarrer Markus Lorenz Bernd Montag Dr. Sigrid Evelyn Nikutta Bernhard Osburg Victoria Ossadnik Joachim Post Albrecht Reimold Carlo Ruiz Prof. Dr. Dr. h. c. mult. Horst Wildemann Lars Wagner Claudia Willvonseder Ralf Wintergerst Maike Schuh #munichmanagementcolloquium #networking #collaboration #resilience #growth #businessdevelopment #business #internationalgrowth #mutualgrowth #businessacceleration #CEO #strategy

Professor Tomasz Puzyn, CEO of QSAR Lab, was one of the panellists at the Deep Tech CEE Summit & Challenge in Warsaw. 🚀 The panel, titled “Leadership in Deep Tech: What It Takes to Drive High-Tech Innovation,” sparked insightful discussions on the unique challenges Deep Tech leaders face, especially when transitioning from a scientific to a CEO role. 🎯 Panelists explore crucial topics like whether founders should also act as CEOs if these roles are best divided, and how to balance company management with ongoing research. The experts also shared practical advice on merging deep technical expertise with essential business acumen, and discussed the lessons learned—and mistakes to avoid—while leading in the high-tech innovation space. Thanks to the other experts in this panel for the valuable insights and engaging conversation. Being part of this year’s Deep Tech Summit was a pleasure—special thanks to the organizers for the invitation and the flawless event execution. ✨ 📸 More photos from the Panel are in the comments below. #DeepTech #Innovation #Leadership #CEORole #TechSummit #HighTech https://lnkd.in/dk-N-UD3

I'll be moderating! Thank you to Ion Houston for the invitation to guide what will be a dynamic conversation. Panels are a great opportunity to glean insights that can help you along your entrepreneurial/tech journey. And I plan to make sure we all walk away with something that we can put into action. We love it when folks start dropping gems; however, let's be more than just empowered but equipped! Check out the details below so you can join us this Thursday! PS No shade to gems being dropped! Because those can light a fire that you need to get going! In fact, share in the comments a recent gem you've picked up at a panel. Share the insights!

Calling all tech founders! Attend Uniting the Prairies on May 22-23 for the Prairies’ premiere startup-focused tech conference to connect with active investors + tech leaders. This year's speakers have founded massive companies, created global change, and scaled world-class startups so you won't want to miss it. ➡ Get your ticket here: https://lnkd.in/e2tiKAg #TechFounders #TechStartups #TechCommunity #StartupFounders #StartupCommunity

How do university spinouts shape the future of Deep Tech? This week on Lab to Market Leadership, Marc Singer, Managing Partner at Osage University Partners (OUP), joins host Chris Reichhelm to discuss OUP’s innovative approach to funding spinouts and the lessons they’ve learned from 150+ investments. From evaluating research institutions to identifying the traits of successful Deep Tech founders, Marc shares key insights that every entrepreneur and investor should know about the lab-to-market journey. Listen here: https://lnkd.in/dn333Bgr #DeepTech #UniversitySpinouts #LabToMarket #TechEntrepreneurship #VentureCapital

What do leading investors in university spin-outs think about before investing? To find out, you need to listen to / watch this week’s Lab to Market Leadership podcast. I’m joined by Marc Singer, Managing Partner of Osage University Partners (OUP). OUP are one of the (if not the) leading university spin-out investor(s) in the US. In this week’s episode, Marc shares lessons from his 30-years of investing, roughly half of which have been with OUP. We discuss: - How few university spin-outs wind up making the complete Lab to Market journey - and why. - How the way spin-outs are formed is backwards compared to how most startups are formed - and how too few appreciate this distinction. - How 'Team' is still the most important factor determining whether they invest even at the earliest stages - and the things Marc and his team think about when evaluating. - How no matter what anyone tells you there is no foolproof system for evaluating talent, especially after just a few meetings - and why he and his team have often waited to invest until they've gotten a proper read on a founder's qualities and behaviours. - How the competition for AI deals is forcing them to make decisions much faster than they would otherwise. - The most common background of the best performing CEOs in their portfolio. - How the nature of market validation and product-market fit has changed as more corporates start to engage with start-ups - and how investors and boards need to be mindful of this. - Why trying to predict the future - particularly on market timing - is wrong, and instead boards should focus on simply building the best companies possible, while taking advantage of the opportunities market cycles present. Marc gives us a lot to consider in this episode. Enjoy!