Regina Ongowarsito’s Post

Hinterland of Things 2024 is over and I am positively surprised! Altough being critical about conferences, I have to admit the HoT was totally worth the time. What I liked: 🥗 Great organization, good food and drinks and never any long waiting times. 👋 Cosy size created a high "bump-in" rate, making it easy to connect and network. 🏹 Targeted audience resulted in very meaningful conversations. Special thanks to Theresa von Rüden Dominik Schindler Manuel Krauß Benjamin Rajko Florian Vincent Forster Harald Rodler for sharing so many interesting insights and making the event super relevant. What did I take away: 🤝 Venture Clienting is the new hot topic that every corporate wants to double down on. I get that - lower commitment, faster results and much lower budget needed than building or investing into startups. However, this comes with not getting any share in the created value. Also I am curious to see, how many corporates will actually manage to make these partnerships also worthwile for the startups - Startups clearly will detect fast, who can really create frictionless collaboration processes. Don't expect patience! 🏭 Corporate Venture Studios who combine CVB & CVC by building VC-fundable startup portfolios are still a new concept to many corporates. However, when explaining the concept the value is rapidly understood - such setups allow: - To capture value of ideas that are further away from the core organization and won't succeed when build internally. - Play an active role in very early technologies and potentially disruptive fields, without having to finance the development fully from own budgets. - To get cheap access in the early stages of promising teams (Pre-Seed) that the existing CVC units aren't usually getting into. 🤖 GenAI is on everyones minds and is evaluating how to use it internally but also how to develop products for their clients. However, validation and solution design (also in regards to the right Tech-Stack) is far from obvious and many corporates struggle to attract the right talent. However, the most important learning was that the term "hungover" is supposebly based on the fact that in victorian england drunken sailors where paying a penny to hang their body over a rope and sleep out their drinks. 💡 😅 Thank you Florence Koster for this life changing fun fact!

What if your next big idea is the one that changes everything? After work and university classes, but full of energy, I had the opportunity to attend the THURSDAY GATHERING#211 TALENT NIGHT SESSIONS of the Venture Café Warsaw Foundation. The evening was full of questions: how to navigate the ever-changing job market? How do young #leaders turn their ideas into successful actions? The World Café-style debate delved into these difficult topics, and the insights were more like challenges to think wider and bolder. A major highlight was the Mazovian Startups demo day, where several impactful startups presented cutting-edge solutions in industries like health tech, sustainability, and AI. The startup demonstrations were the perfect answer to the “what's next?” question. Seeing how these young companies are driving innovation was truly exciting, and it felt great to support them as they geared up for the next stages of their journey. Events like this not only makes you think, it also makes you act. But for now, we leave energized and certainly #inspired. PS Our Inspiring Solutions hoodies were not random... Curious? You should be 🧡🙌🏻

In a small town known for its technology park, there lived Julia, a young enthusiast with a love for technology and a passion for innovation. Julia dreamed of working at one of the companies in the park, but she knew that getting in was tough due to the high competition. One day, while reading the local newspaper, Julia learned about an open event at the Innovation Park where tech leaders would discuss future trends. Although the event wasn't directly related to job opportunities, Julia saw a chance to learn and perhaps meet people from the industry. On the day of the event, Julia prepared some questions and conversation topics. She didn't just want to attend; she wanted to actively participate and make herself visible. During a Q&A session, she raised her hand and asked a insightful question that caught everyone's attention. Her intervention showcased not only her knowledge but also her genuine interest in the field. After the session, a CEO of an emerging startup who had been on the panel approached her. Impressed by her question, they started talking and Julia was able to share her vision and passion for technology. The CEO was looking for enthusiastic talent to join his team and saw in Julia the kind of proactivity and engagement he needed in his company. Before the event was over, Julia was invited to visit the startup. A week later, she was walking into her new office in the technology park, excited about the opportunity she had created through her proactivity and visibility. Moral: Proactivity and visibility are key to opening doors. Sometimes, it’s not just about being in the right place at the right time, but making that place and time count.

Just got back from my first-ever #WebSummit in #Lisbon, and let me tell you—it was like stepping into a tech version of Willy Wonka's factory, minus the Oompa Loompas but with twice the confusion! #LLM and #AgenticLLM Everywhere: LLMs are the new ketchup. They're being slathered onto everything from apps to appliances. Sometimes it adds that extra zing, and other times... well, you wish you could send it back to the kitchen. But when the pairing is just right? The opportunities are astronomically delicious. #Startups Galore: Navigating through hundreds of alpha and beta startup booths felt like speed-dating on steroids. One moment you're hearing about StreetView-powered random travel agencies (SkysMyth), the next it's Dream-to-Reality conversion app (Futudo Foundation). It's dynamic, it's chaotic, and occasionally, it's comedy gold. Crowded Spaces & The Great Escape: If you've ever wanted to experience what it's like to be a sardine, Web Summit's got you covered. The venue was so packed that "personal space" became a myth. Pro tip: Wear comfortable shoes—for the walking and the strategic dodging. Depth? Not So Much: Came seeking wisdom from tech giants? Prepare for 15-minute sound bites that leave you with more questions than answers. It's like getting the trailer instead of the movie. For deep dives, stick to your favorite blogs, podcasts, and YouTube channels—they've already gone 10x deeper. Unexpected Gems: However, stumbling into random talks did lead to some unexpected "Eureka!" moments. It's like finding a $20 bill in an old jacket—you weren't looking for it, but it made your day. For Scale-Ups Like Collective Minds: For later-stage companies like us, the real value was in the pre-booked investor meetings. Without those, it's a bit like fishing without bait—you'll be surrounded by water but won't catch much. All in all, Web Summit 2024 was a rollercoaster of tech buzzwords, networking highs and lows, and the occasional existential crisis about the future of AI-flavored everything. Would I do it again? Ask me after I've recovered from the crowd-induced claustrophobia! Até a próxima, Lisbon! 🇵🇹

I mentioned in my previous post that it was a busy day at Boston New Technology (BNT) and Prepare 4 VC --- and indeed it was! We are coming right down to it with Startup World Cup on the 28th and everywhere you look our ecosystem friends are in a similar state of preparation and celebration, all sailing towards fabulous destinations -- Boston Founders Forum recently celebrating their 1 year anniversary (h/t Christopher Harris and Eleni Vorvis and team). As I've said time and time again, you're winning if David Wieselmann appreciates what you're doing. Of course one of the first loves of my professional life Startup Boston is happening in less than 3 weeks (Stephanie Roulic and I are in an unofficial race to see who can drink the most coffee, I am losing naturally) The Tech Walk with Sara Fraim, Connor Harbison and friends has had a wonderful season. We can rely on a steady supply of solid advice from Jonny Boyarsky and George "G" Le, and unlike my founder years there are more times spent out in the sun (roofdecks no less) and eating healthy breakfast as opposed to co-working place beers and boredom. Yes, the community scene is truly popping and there's so much to be excited about and so much to explore -- usually being covered and empowered by the likes of Matt Crane, Jennifer Ejeh, Jordan Elster and many more. There are AI events with hundreds of people one million percent smarter than me (such as Judah Phillips ) and our robots are getting even cooler (thanks Marita McGinn). We are a unique ecosystem. Full of characters, sagas, and so much potential. There are scores of other folks I could tag to further validate this statement but I know those reading it would agree. This innovation thing of ours only seems to get more worthwhile each day despite its challenges. All powered by the people.

#NYTechWeek was 💥! With over 700 events hosted by VCs and startups, the week was jam-packed with panels, happy hours, and networking. So many incredible founders, VCs, operators, and innovators from diverse industries around the world gathered to share their experiences and insights. A few (back of napkin) highlights, just from the public calendar: 🤖 215 AI-related events, including 8 concentrating on women, 7 on health, 2 on biotech, and 1 on climate 👩 48 events centered on female investors and founders 🩺 35 healthtech or biotech events 🌍 10 climatetech events 💰 123 events targeting investors 💡 179 events targeting founders 💼 5 events featuring emerging managers 💡📈 41 pitch events - 18 of which included an afterparty/happy hour 🏀🏃♂️🧘♂️ 9 events were sports, exercise, or wellness-themed Top 3 neighborhoods for events: 🌆 Soho 🏙️ Midtown 🏢 Flatiron Why NYC? It is emerging as a powerhouse for startups, with a rare combination of industries, prestigious academic institutions, and a strong VC community. Here are some insights from a recent Fenwick & West report: 1️⃣ NYC has over 100 unicorns, with at least 112 startups now worth over $1 billion. 2️⃣ Since the 1990s, NYC's Flatiron District, known as "Silicon Alley," has been a major tech hub, second only to Silicon Valley. 3️⃣ Notable NYC tech IPOs include Etsy, Vimeo, Peloton, MongoDB, Oscar Health, and Compass. 4️⃣ NYC's tech job market is booming, with 13,000 new jobs in 2023, bringing the total to over 369,000 and still rising. 5️⃣ Since 2019, over 1,000 AI companies in NYC have raised $27 billion in funding. 6️⃣ NYC tech startups span sectors like fintech, healthtech, cybersecurity, edtech, climatetech, and ecommerce. From AI to healthtech, the pulse of innovation in NYC is stronger than ever. Bring on 25! Thank you to wonderful hosts and builders for making my own week rich, and with meaningful connection. Naseem Sayani (she/her) Crystelle Desnoyer Tiya Gordon Brooke Emery Mark Nguyen Theron McCollough Matthew Hooper Tara Comonte Ariel Serber Theodore K. Elizabeth Landau Azin Radsan van Alebeek Julie Ruvolo John Gannon Maja Andjelkovic Juan Manuel Barrero Mirella Santome Chaeyeon Kim #techweek #Startups #Founders #VentureCapital

What if the key to scaling your business isn’t profit, but your own wellbeing? Too often, founders focus on growth and valuation as the ultimate goal, while wellbeing and social value become after thoughts. What if we flipped the thinking? What if the key to truly scaling your business starts with your own wellbeing? By leading from a place of ease, clarity, and balance, you can build a culture of trust, innovation, and high performance - which is a foundation for growth and valuation. #FounderWellbeing #ScalingUp #OrganisationalHealth Norrsken Barcelona Norrsken Ashoka España Tech Barcelona Impact Hub Barcelona Impact Hub Network Berlin Factory Seedcamp

If you have not registered yet for the PCO-LEGGUP event happening in Zurich, this is a kind reminder to do so. https://lnkd.in/ecVVTdh9 #BusinessOwners #Entrepreneurs #Founders #Zurich #Event #FutureOfWork

𝗦𝗔𝗡𝗙𝗢, 𝗦𝗧𝗔𝗥𝗧𝗨𝗣𝗦, 𝗔𝗡𝗗 𝗦𝗢𝗖𝗜𝗔𝗟𝗦! Exploring industries, sparking conversations, and gaining insights! Since last month, I've been immersing myself to the tech and networking culture of San Francisco. Although I’ve always valued meaningful conversations in my career, networking in a space that is totally new from my previous experience can be overwhelming. But it is through these events that I get to find the many facets of my profession and all things tech. As I navigate through these events and read interesting news, I’ve collected valuable takeaways and made them into digestible content for those curious about everything San Francisco, startup culture, and the powerful exchange of ideas shaping our future! Here's a roundup of my first month here! 𝗧𝗲𝗰𝗵 𝗶𝘀 𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗹𝗹 𝗺𝗮𝗹𝗲-𝗱𝗼𝗺𝗶𝗻𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗱 The first event I attended in Palo Alto last month talked about Gen-AI Startups. And while the fireside chat was insightful, one thing was striking—the room was overwhelmingly male. Women made up less than 10% of the attendees, highlighting an industry gap that persists despite some gains. This led me to check the numbers and according to an article from Women in Tech Network, the proportion of females for the U.S.'s major tech companies like Amazon, Facebook, Apple, Google, and Microsoft is 45%, 37%, 34%, 33%, and 33.1% of their entire workforce, respectively. Progress has been made, but there’s a clear need for continued change and support for women in tech. Source: https://lnkd.in/gDjnbwqY. 𝗚𝗿𝗲𝗲𝗻𝗧𝗲𝗰𝗵/ 𝗖𝗹𝗶𝗺𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗧𝗲𝗰𝗵 Coming from a non-tech background, I found it fascinating to see how technology is being leveraged to address the climate crisis. One interesting statement from the AI + GreenTech event I attended last Oct. 3 is that the circular economy model is far from fully realized. Though the concept is well-known, there’s still ample room for innovators to make an impact. GreenTech and ClimateTech remain promising spaces for exploration, with significant opportunities for sustainable disruption. 𝗟𝗶𝗻𝗸𝗲𝗱𝗜𝗻’𝘀 𝗧𝗼𝗽 𝟱𝟬 𝗦𝘁𝗮𝗿𝘁𝘂𝗽𝘀 𝘁𝗼 𝗪𝗮𝘁𝗰𝗵 I recently reviewed LinkedIn's list of this year's Top 50 Startups to Watch, and it was fascinating to see a strong focus on technologies aimed at healthcare, mental wellness, and software development. This got me thinking, where are the startups focusing on the AECOO (Architecture, Engineering, Construction, Owners, and Operations) Industry? For anyone looking to innovate, there’s a clear call for fresh ideas in this space. To learn more about the list, click here! -- https://lnkd.in/g4gtkife #startups #greentech #sanfrancisco #networking #aecoo #climatetech #entrepreneurship #innovation #techindustry #techdisruption #technology #insights #data

As Web Summit was coming to an 🔚 , and 70k participants were on their way back to their everyday routines, I started to contemplate everything that happened this past week 🤔. It was an intensive🪫, initially even overwhelming 🤯 experience, but extremely productive 📈 , valuable 💡and one that I’m incredibly grateful 🙏 for. First of all, I feel to gain value from such an event, you need 3 things: 1. Have a goal 🎯 - there’s so much going on and it’s super easy to get distracted. Either with all the lectures (most of which unfortunately turned out underwhelming), shiny stands, concurrent meet-ups and tons people to connect with. 2. Keep an open mind 🤓 - the goal will keep you focused, but best opportunities for business, partnership, new endeavours or connecting with like-minded people can lurk in totally unexpected places, moments and forms. 3. Be ready to walk 🚶➡️a lot and probably sleep little 😴 … but it’s worth it ;) Here’s to all the amazing connections: - Courtney Margetson and Bernadette Fernandes - the most accidental meeting, when on the 2nd day I was totally tired and about to leave the arena, but decided to sit down and grab a bite. Met 2 amazing, like-minded people with great energy and exciting vision. Laughed a lot, provided valuable insights and ideas, and shared perspectives . Looking forward to what we can do together. - Malgorzata Luksza, Kevin Kluszewski, Tymoteusz Paprocki and Michał Suchocki, Anna Huth, Rafael Bodega, Astrik Mkrtchyan - startup founders with ambitious ideas, interesting pasts and exciting personalities. - Krzysztof (Chris) Wrobel, Wojciech Łoniewski, Magda Kwoska, Mateusz Sawka, Karolina Szostek - discussions with whom sparked so many ideas for potential partnerships and new business ideas. - Dominik Piekarski - an ambitious driver of the startup community in #Warsaw . - Intuitivo (João Guimarães), Scoutz (Antonio Depina), Proceve (Paul Michaud) and Bliss Brain (Sasha Khabchuk) - amazing startups participating in the pitching semi-finals (and some in finals), whose products resonated a lot with me. - Mauro Battellini (Black Unicorn PR) - another accidental meeting leading to a valuable and insightful discussion. - Adam Król - my co-worker from one of our earlier jobs and currently an inspiring CTO for Watergate. - Various VCs and investors (that I'm not going to disclose here ;) And many more... Super grateful for all the connections, conversations, opportunities and experiences. Can’t imagine not coming back here next year :) #SaaS #WebSummit2024 #Innovation #StartupsAndScaleups #FutureOfTech #PartnershipsForSuccess