The Kickstart program of the German Accelerator, held for the first time in Saxony, marked a remarkable milestone for the local start-up landscape. On February 1, 2024, 22 start-ups, including 11 from Saxony, gathered at the Teleskopeffekt's Werkbank32 in Mittweida to take part in a day of learning, networking and inspiring conversations. This event, supported by futureSAX and the German Accelerator, provided a unique platform for founders to gain valuable insights into scaling their business and expanding into international markets.
The On-site Day agenda was packed with activities aimed at providing participants with knowledge and tools that are essential for the international success of their start-up. The day started at 9.00 am with a warm welcome, followed by IceBreaker Q&A and speed dating, led by Alina, to encourage networking.
From 11.00 am to 1.00 pm, participants dived into the world of building a board moderated by Stefan Beerhalter and Dr. Ralf Fuchs. This session provided valuable insights on how to attract investors and which metrics are crucial for the growth of a start-up.
After a lunch break, Corey Wright shared his knowledge on the most common mistakes start-ups can make when expanding internationally, as well as theories and methods to avoid them, from 2pm to 5pm. A coffee break provided an opportunity for informal exchange and in-depth discussion of the topics.
The event concluded with a Fireside Chat with Ralf Fuchs and Hannes Wieland from 5.30 to 6.30 pm, followed by a networking event that lasted until 9 pm. Here, the Saxon start-up ecosystem, including business angels, VCs and multipliers, opened up to the start-ups.
The key takeaways from the Kickstart program in Saxony were diverse and profound. The importance of in-depth knowledge of fundraising strategies, the relevance of business metrics and the need to carefully plan and implement international expansion plans took center stage. In addition, the exchange with established companies and investors showed that the Saxon startup ecosystem is ready for the global stage.
The Kickstart program has impressively proven that Mittweida and Saxony as a whole are fertile ground for innovative start-ups. The event laid the foundation for future cooperation and international success of Saxon start-ups.
For start-ups ready to take the next step and bring their business to the international stage, the Silicon Valley Program is the perfect opportunity. We invite you to apply and become part of a community that is not just dreaming, but doing. If you are ready to turn your vision into reality and think globally, now is the time. Sign up and let's conquer the world together!
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