Highlights from Founders Retreat 2023 in Athens, Greece (September 7th-9th)

Our annual Founders Retreat brought together more than 30 founders from all over Europe and the US in Athens, Greece, from September 7th to 9th. The primary goal was to strengthen bonds among the dedicated founders we support, fostering a platform for Peer-to-Peer learning, networking, problem-solving, idea exchange, and collaboration.

A standout moment featured our guest speaker, Stefan Ivanov, who shared his extraordinary 105-day ocean journey from Portugal to Barbados, undertaken with his 17-year-old son Maxim on a self-built boat.

Stefan’s captivating tales drew parallels between his adventurous voyage and the challenges faced by startups, emphasizing the significance of mental and physical resilience and the importance of perseverance and clear goals.

The event was packed with insightful industry discussions, a comprehensive analysis of Q2 2023 fundraising activities, offering valuable insights by comparing the European and US markets and shedding light on operational dynamics, discussions on challenges faced by founders, and networking opportunities.

Founders shared their strategies for overcoming financial constraints, such as focusing on product appeal, cost reduction, and securing capital, and explored “Series A Fundraising,” highlighting the role of robust KPIs, engaging investor conversations, and effective PR efforts.

The agenda also included a special session on AI usage and implementation across different companies. It became quite evident the pivotal role AI plays in the vision of the majority of our portfolio companies. During this session, founders engaged in discussions about the advantages and disadvantages of incorporating different LLMs in their operations and shared valuable insights on how they integrate chat-like functions in their daily business activities and the products they offer.

In the world of entrepreneurship, the connections formed can be the key to success. Founders discovered that they are not alone in their journey, finding solidarity in shared experiences and the collective strength of our network.

Through engaging discussions, inspiring talks, and candid exchanges, our founders learned that the challenges they face in their startups are shared experiences that transcend borders and industries.

N.B.

For those interested in our Q2 2023 Funding Summary Report, please feel free to reach out.