The Startup Iceland conference is finally upon us! (Buy your ticket!)
Next Monday (May 30) is the Startup Iceland conference, so I thought I’d share some tips and tricks on how you can get the most out of the event—but if someone asks, you didn’t hear them from me 😉
1. Reach out to the international founders (now)
We’re getting a lot of very experienced international founders here to Iceland (most for the first time), and they all want to get to know the Icelandic startup scene. This is your chance to reach out through various ways, such as searching relevant hashtags on Twitter and following the speakers on social media. Connect with the people you see are coming and invite them out for drinks with you and your startup friends or organize small meetups. Don’t always wait for someone else to set up something fun—do it yourself like a true entrepreneur! Just remember, don’t spam or make people uncomfortable; instead, focus on being genuinely helpful.
2. TEDx event (Friday)
On Friday, May 28, there’s a TEDx event taking place. Many of the people attending Startup Iceland will also be there, making it a great chance to meet some cool people, hang out over the weekend, and start building momentum. Plus, our TEDx events have featured some incredible talks in previous years, and I think this year will be even better.
3. Drinks over the weekend (Fri + Sat)
The weekend is your opportunity to invite your startup friends, new contacts coming for SI, and people you meet at TEDx for drinks. Networking is all about connecting with interesting people and having a little fun along the way.
4. Ultrahack 2016 kickoff (Sunday)
On Sunday, Mikko Järvilehto and Mark Ryan from Ultrahack will host the kickoff for the Ultrahack hackathon. They’ll present the pre-game, explain how the hackathon works, and go over the awards that contestants can win. More importantly, it’s a great excuse to enjoy some drinks and warm up for the Startup Iceland conference. Check out the Facebook event for details.
5. Networking at the conference (Monday)
At the Startup Iceland conference, you’ll hear some great speakers, but don’t forget about the coffee and lunch breaks. These are prime opportunities to meet awesome people who are just as passionate about entrepreneurship and innovation as you are. Don’t be shy—start a conversation with someone new.
6. Mentorship from the speakers (Tuesday)
One of the best things about the Startup Iceland conference (and something I haven’t seen at other conferences) is that you get a chance to sit down with the mentors the next day for advice and guidance. This is incredibly valuable if you know how to make the most of it. Keep in mind that spots are limited, so sign up for the mentoring sessions as soon as possible.
7. Nordic Startup Awards (Tuesday)
The day after Startup Iceland, the annual Nordic Startup Awards will showcase some of the best founders and startups from across the Nordic region. It’s an amazing place to continue the networking and startup momentum you’ve built up. It’s free to attend, and you can sign up on Eventbrite.
Although the main Startup Iceland lectures happen in a single day, the truth is that the entire experience—plus the events before and after—makes for nearly a full week of fun activities and networking opportunities. So don’t waste any more time—buy your ticket now if you haven’t already and get ready for one of the biggest events in the Icelandic startup scene!
Frumkvöðull í meira en 20 ár. Stofnandi 7 fyrirtækja og Frumkvöðlar-samfélagsins. Skrifar um ferðalagið — gott og illt.
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