Startup Champions on the Road to Global Success
Venturelab welcomed the next generation of high-tech and fintech entrepreneurs at the University of Zurich last night, at an exciting event designed to start preparing them for the Venture Leaders roadshow ahead.
Getting ready for the startup champions event @uzh_news_en after an intense kick-off day! Venture Leaders ???? 2018, there we go with @Retin_AI!! Thanks @venturelab_ch for this great opportunity! #SUChampions #VLeadersChina #startups #Entrepreneurship pic.twitter.com/ENVLXsQgJv
— Carlos Ciller (@carlos_ciller) June 19, 2018
The 20 founders heading to China and New York came together with more than 250 supporters to introduce their startups and compete for the honor of being team captain. Pitching was intense, with each participant having just one minute to convince the audience of their strengths!
Everything ready for the big Startup Champions Night with @venturelab_ch at @uzh_news! 20 of the best #SwissStartups will pitch in this awesome location! #startups #VleadersFintech #Vleaders #SuChamps pic.twitter.com/ARFXRqeEs1
— Gianmaria Sbetta (@GianmariaSbetta) June 19, 2018
In the end Florian Kübler of Switzerlend was chosen as Fintech captain, and DistalMotion’s Michael Friedrich came out on top for the China roadshow.
Keynote speakers Nels R. Nelsen of Menalto Advisers and serial entrepreneur Michael Born of PXL Vision had some strong advice for the startups. Nelsen encouraged them to think of their exit right from the start, and make decisions within that framework. “Every time you raise capital, really think: What’s this going to do to my ROI?” he warned.
Born’s advice was more aspirational: follow your heart, don’t over-rationalize, and never stop innovating. But what both speakers stressed was the importance of choosing strong teams with diverse backgrounds and complementary strengths; and always protecting your IP.
Serial entrepreneur Michael Born tells the @dacuda story. One learning: Always think in alternatives. Its a good way to handle the risks of the startup life. #SuChamps pic.twitter.com/YibWRecHhk
— startupticker (@startuptickerCH) June 19, 2018
"We have two fantastic teams to send off on the next Venture Leader roadshows,” said Stefan Steiner, Venturelab’s co-managing director in charge of the program. “New York and China are very important markets for these startups, and we are excited to start preparing them for what could be game-changing experiences. Our past Venture Leaders have built on the relationships they formed on these roadshows to create really strong companies – for instance, AlgoTrader participated last year, raised a $1.5M financing round and opened up an office in New York this spring. I have no doubt that you’ll be hearing much more from these startup founders in years to come.”
Venture Leaders Fintech 2018
Venture Leaders China 2018
