GETTING TO THE NEXT LEVEL

THE MISSING PIECES FOR CEE

Marian Gazdik, Startup Grind

400,000 entrepreneurs in 200 cities and 85 countries

CONNECTING THE DOTS

• 75 years ago, Silicon Valley was a little more than an orchard

• Detroit was key innovation hub, (filed for bankruptcy in 2013)

• Disruption comes from the bottom (Netflix) or outsiders (iPhone)

• Successful companies get comfortable and become arrogant

• At today’s fast pace, they only notice when it’s too late (Nokia)

Lesson: cities, regions or countries rise and fall

SALESFORCE: DON’T FIGHT, JOIN THEM

BUILD YOUR BRIDGES

• It’s not you against them. Don’t compete,

collaborate

• Connect to key global hubs

• Find a way keep them coming back

• Make sure they talk about you, in a good way

• Develop strategic partnerships

Examples: Israel, Portugal

CHALLENGES OF CEE REGION

• Fear of failure, lack of ambition

• Secrecy won't help, feedback almost always will

• Lack of advice. Find 2-3 top mentors, develop a

relationship

• Products not ready for big markets. Find product

market fit first

• Under-utilised network. Reach out when needed

TIP: Make a list of 10 potential mentors & reach out

HOW CAN WE HELP

• Develop local startup eco-systems

• Connecting startups with investors, mentors & advisors

• Conferences attended by world’s TOP entrepreneurs

• Offer help and advice on startupgrind.com

• Build a bridge to Silicon Valley:

StartupGrind.com/Conference

Tip: Let us know how we can help you

OUR VALUES

MARIAN GAZDIK

Director, Europe

marian@startupgrind.com

@Mgazdik, @StartupGrind

MEET PEOPLE THE RIGHT WAY

• GET INTRODUCED BY A TRUSTED CONNECTION

• REMEMBER NAMES

• MAKE A LASTING IMPRESSION (BE HELPFUL, COMPLIMENT)

• DON’T BRAG, LET OTHERS PRAISE YOU

• DON’T PITCH TOO SOON - RELATE AND CONNECT FIRST

• BUILD A “BRIDGE”

Practice: Think of how you can help

CONFERENCE NETWORKING

• DEFINE WHOM YOU WANT TO MEET HERE

• DO A LITTLE RESEARCH & PREPARE 1-2 QUESTIONS

• STAY FOCUSED, MEET PEOPLE ON YOUR LIST FIRST

• HAVE AN INTERESTING PITCH, ASK FOR FEEDBACK

• LOOK FOR INTERESTING PEOPLE TO MEET, ASK OTHERS

Practice: Make a list of 10 people to meet

BUILD LASTING RELATIONSHIPS

• BUILD TRUST AND HUMAN CONNECTION FIRST

• FOLLOW-UP. WHEN NO RESPONSE, RECONNECT (MOORE’S

LAW)

• GIVE VALUE REGULARLY, MAKE VALUABLE INTRODUCTIONS

• USE OPPORTUNITIES TO STAY IN TOUCH: COFFEE, LUNCH,

CALLS

• SHARE INVITES TO INTERESTING HAPPENINGS

• VALUE YOUR WORD AND DELIVER ON TIME

TIP: Only promise only what you can deliver