With support from partners and enthusiasts, the event STARTUP LIVE! has evolved into one of the region's most coveted startup gatherings since 2015. Recently, I took on the ambitious task of organising the STARTUP LIVE! that aimed to unite the tech community in Skåne. In collaboration with Skåne Innovation Week, we hosted the event on The Tivoli Helsingborg on June 21st, 2022.

The history of STARTUP LIVE!

The goal of STARTUP LIVE! is to provide founders, investors, tech enthusiasts with a platform to connect with and learn from the community. We aim to promote entrepreneurship and want to help startups connect with the right people at the right time, but in a “let your hair down” kind of way.

Previous editions in Malmö and Lund attracted over 1000 participants, earning the event a reputation as a prime platform for networking and exchange experiences. The event embraces a diverse range of participants, from visionary founders and entrepreneurs to seasoned venture capitalists, angel investors, students, business advisors, support organisations, and beyond. It caters to individuals at every stage of their entrepreneurial journey, fostering growth and collaboration.

The 2022 special edition

We made the difficult decision to pause our much-anticipated event due to the global pandemic. The past year has been a challenging journey for all of us. We missed the energy and connection that only a live event can provide. We are aware of the power of community and the role STARTUP LIVE! plays in fostering unity.

As the world recovers from the pandemic, we want this event to serve as a beacon of hope, a celebration of resilience, and a platform for collaboration. Acknowledging the challenges and uncertainties that lie ahead, our team selected the theme "Into the Future" for 2022 with three goals:

  • Explore groundbreaking technologies that can drive a better and more sustainable tomorrow
  • Empower startups and provide them with the necessary knowledge to thrive in these rapidly changing times
  • Embrace the possibilities, to share ideas, and to reignite the spirit of camaraderie that has been dormant for far too long

To create a relaxed and informal atmosphere that encourages genuine connections, we embraced the energetic spirit of "Rock n' Roll" as our theme for the evening. This allows participants to let loose and engage with like-minded individuals.

When it came to promoting our event, we knew we had to go beyond the ordinary. We wanted to create an experience that would captivate our audience even before the event began.

In our marketing efforts, we incorporate creative wordplay to engage our audience. We invite participants to embrace the role of a rock star and immerse themselves in the "Rock n' Roll Into The Future" atmosphere throughout the event.

For example, we encourage attendees to dress like rock stars, and we were thrilled to see their enthusiastic response. One investor even took it a step further by dressing up in a "rocky" style to make a memorable impression on stage. To celebrate the participants' commitment and creativity, we also introduced an award for the best rocky outfit, adding an exciting element to the event's conclusion.

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We carefully reviewed every individual who signed up for the event. Recognizing the opportunity to foster connections and build a sense of community, we hatched a unique idea that would bring people together in unexpected ways: We randomly assigned each participant to a group, based on the names of iconic rock bands.
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We took it upon ourselves to personally introduce each member of the assigned groups before the event. Yes, it was a labor-intensive process, requiring countless hours of manual work, but we knew it was worth it. The mere mention of finding one's rock band member had become a talking point, a source of intrigue and excitement.

Our efforts had paid off. By taking the extra step to foster personal connections and create a buzz before the event, we set the stage for an unforgettable experience. In the end, it was the human touch, the personal connections, and the element of surprise that set our event apart.

My team made it all possible

One of my greatest strengths is my ability to assemble and inspire a talented team. By encouraging open dialogue and idea sharing, we unleashed our collective creativity despite our diverse backgrounds.

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Ashley, Joao, Punit, Karolina, Katalin, Poliana, and Sizwe, are the stars who made everything possible. We are a team from the US, Brazil, UK, Sweden, India, Hungary, South Africa, and China who are passionate about developing a thriving tech community.

Each team member contributed their unique perspectives, and together, we developed a tapestry of innovative ideas.

  • Ashley, Punit, and Poliana spearheaded the marketing, communication, and partnership efforts, forging valuable collaborations with local startups.
  • Katalin invited a founder from Gotherburg to Helsingborg, and led a timely discussion on the critical topic of founders' mental health.
  • Joao and Sizwe expertly managed the logistics, ensuring seamless operations throughout the event.
  • Karolina, our charismatic host, captivated the audience with her impeccable style, infectious energy, and a well-crafted script that elevated the event's atmosphere to great levels of excitement.

My role as the CEO was to ensure that ideas were not only acknowledged but also effectively implemented. By assigning clear roles and responsibilities, I empowered team members to take ownership of their tasks. This fostered a sense of pride and accountability within the team, ensuring that every detail was executed flawlessly.

Leveraging my existing connections, I sought out partnerships and sponsorships with Region Skåne/Skåne Innovation Week, making the most of every available resource. We also had the pleasure of having Karl Philip from Almi as our volunteer DJ who made the night come alive with his beats and song choices. He kept the dance floor packed and the crowd grooving until Tivoli closed.

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And of course! To set an example and foster a vibrant atmosphere, our team fully embraced the "rock star" theme by dressing accordingly. Initially, I anticipated stress from the team because of the tight deadline. But this creative energy brought us closer. We laughed and exchanged ideas on what constitutes an authentic rock-inspired look.

This journey has taught me invaluable lessons about the power of effective leadership and resourcefulness. It has shown me that even with limited resources, extraordinary events can be brought to life. I am immensely proud of what my team and I accomplished.

The results in numbers

Relying on limited resources and time, the 2022 edition of STARTUP LIVE! was a great success.

  • A landing page on Confetti with creative copywriting and design
  • 320+ signups from founders and investors over Sweden, and of course the majority comes from Skåne region.
  • 250+ attendees in person in Helsingborg
  • 22 speakers including tech founders, VC investors, and community builders
  • An amazing night full of laughs, knowledge sharing, and dances
Our team with a founder

In Part 2 story, you can learn about the key takeaways from the event. Read it here.

A few photos from Startup Live! 2022

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