Steve Vilkas’ Post

Join us on Wednesday Sept 20th from 4:30 - 6 pm, for an event during Twin Cities Startup Week (TCSW) on collective action for social impact. Businesses are impacted by more than just the market. Policy, infrastructure, quality of life, and many other factors play into the success or barriers for any business. This systems-level change can feel impossible to tackle alone, but involvement becomes necessary for many entrepreneurs. Featuring leaders and social entrepreneurs with expertise in coalition building and systems-level change including Ixchel McKinnie, Enterprise Development Officer, ConnectUP! Institute, Ini Augustine, CEO at Technologist Computers and Member Governors Task Force on Broadband; Anna Tsantir, Owner at Two Bettys Green Cleaning Co; and Laura Monn Ginsburg, Partner and Principal Apparatus GBC. Panelists will share some of our society's biggest challenges being addressed through collaboration, how public and private coalitions can work together successfully, and how entrepreneurs can get involved to benefit their social businesses. This FREE event is a part of Twin Cities Startup Week, more details on this event: https://bit.ly/tcsw23

Are you pushing your boundaries? 💥 Jessica Droujko (Founder & CEO, Riverkin) explains why she participated in the startup days conference. Watch the video and find out more. ⏯️ Do you want to join the next edition in 2025? Stay tuned – soon we'll drop some exciting news! #startupconference #networking #businessgrowth #startupdays

Celebrating Startup Brilliance in 2023 - Part I 🚀 Reflecting on an incredible year, we can't help but spotlight the dynamic founders who took center stage at our LevelUp events! Here are three startups that have us buzzing with excitement: 🌐 Udeso - Revolutionizing Compliance: Shivangi Khurania pitched a game-changing solution, accelerating business compliance at a fraction of the cost. As a community of entrepreneurs, we're thrilled to witness solutions democratizing the startup journey! 💡👩💼 ⚖️ RECORD - Simplifying Legal Workflow: Kenny Eliason is reshaping the legal landscape, streamlining communication for personal injury lawyers. More organization, better communication, and increased case victories – startups making a big impact for the little guy! 📑💼 ✈️ MintPass - Elevating Travel Memories: Sam Simmons is crafting a new era of travel experiences. Collect digital souvenirs, inspire wanderlust, and get rewarded. Because who wouldn't want to make travel memories even more rewarding? 🌍📸 Stay tuned for more highlights as we continue to showcase the brilliance that made 2023 truly exceptional! 🎉 #startupsuccess #LevelUp2023

Hear from our co-founder Tan Hooi Ling as she shares unfiltered insights on the realities of startup life. She also dishes out tips for those looking to get better at public speaking. #TechUntukSemua Watch the conversation here: http://ms.spr.ly/6041it7nJ

The Power of Connections: Unveiling the Impact of Startup Demo Day! 🤝 Have you ever wondered about the magic that unfolds at an event? Let's dive into the behind-the-scenes action and discover how eChai’s Startup Demo Day has been a game-changer for budding entrepreneurs. Startup Demo Day is not the average networking event. Founders, investors, and experts come together, not just to exchange business cards, but to weave the fabric of collaboration 🤝 It's an ecosystem where questions spark ideas, conversations spark collaborations, and encounters spark transformations. In simple words, "It's not just an event; it's a front-row seat to the future"🤖 🚀 And guess what? This isn't just a one-time occurrence. On August 26th, from 5-7pm history is set to repeat itself at CUBE84. The camaraderie, the energy, and the possibilities – they're all on the menu once again. So, whether you're a founder with a path-breaking concept, an investor with an eye for the extraordinary problem, or an enthusiast seeking to witness the birth of brilliance – Startup Demo Day has a seat for you at the table of innovation. Secure your spot now and step into an arena where connections aren't just made; they're celebrated, nurtured, and empowered to change the world. 🔗 Don't miss out on being part of this transformative journey [Link in the comments👇🏻] Let's continue to build bridges, spark revolutions, and carve the future together! #DemoDayImpact #echai #StartupDemoday #Demoday #Founders #Investors #eChaiventures #StartupFounders

Hello, New York! If you've had a chance to look at the events calendar, I bet you're as impressed as I am. Hundreds of events, thousands of founders and investors. What to expect from #NYTechWeek? Lots of successful products that will get funded and see the light of day, as well as new unicorns that will make the world a better place! If you want to meet me in New York (till the 9th of June) and discuss business, its challenges and solutions in 2024, DM is open. See you there! #NYTechWeek2024 #TechCEO #CEOInsights #Startupdevelopment #startupadvice

I recently had the incredible opportunity to attend TechCrunch Early Stage 2024, and it was an unforgettable experience! As a first-time attendee at such an educational event, I was amazed by the wealth of innovative ideas and the generosity of people sharing their time and experiences with new founders like myself. One of the most valuable aspects of the event was the chance to practice and refine my startup pitch. Through various pitch sessions, I learned how to effectively communicate my business ideas in concise 5-second and 30-second formats, as well as longer, more comprehensive presentations. The feedback and guidance I received from experienced entrepreneurs and investors were invaluable in helping me craft a compelling narrative for my startup. I do love storytelling and learning to increase the quality of those tales feels great. In addition to pitch practice, the event featured insightful sessions covering crucial topics for early-stage startups, such as fundraising, go-to-market strategies, and team building. The speakers were exceptional, offering practical advice, case studies, and lessons learned to help us navigate the challenges of our founder journeys. Networking with fellow passionate entrepreneurs who are in similar stages and facing relatable challenges was another highlight. The connections I made and the one-on-one mentoring I received from industry experts were priceless. I left TechCrunch Early Stage 2024 feeling inspired, energized, and more equipped with actionable insights to propel my startup forward. I'm grateful for the opportunity to invest and learn more about the entrepreneurial culture, refine my pitching skills, and connect with such an amazing community of innovators. If you're an early-stage founder looking to learn, network, and gain exposure to cutting-edge ideas, I highly recommend attending TechCrunch Early Stage events. It's an experience you won't forget! #TechCrunch #EarlyStage2024 #StartupPitch #Entrepreneurship #Innovation

🎉 Reflecting on the Techstars Startup Weekend with Inlecom Commercial Pathways 🎉 We're back from an exhilarating 54-hour journey at the Techstars Startup Weekend, and what an experience it was! Our team at ICP was deeply honoured to play a pivotal role, with several of our passionate team members stepping up as business mentors. 🌟 Highlights of the Event 🌟 The weekend was an electrifying blend of: 💡 Intense brainstorming 💡 Rapid business plan drafting 💡 Hands-on prototyping This edition's emphasis on the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals and Social Innovation made it even more special. The enthusiasm and drive of the participants, many of whom didn't even have a business idea at the start, was truly commendable. 📅 Moments that Stood Out: ·        The diverse pitches on Friday 1st Sept at LinkedIn One Wilton Park, Dublin, were a testament to the ingenuity of our community. ·        The online collaboration over Sat 2nd & Sun 3rd Sept showcased the resilience and adaptability of budding entrepreneurs. 🏅 Celebrating the Winners: Our heartfelt congratulations to the winning teams who will now get additional support and experiences via an all-expenses-paid trip to the consolid8 Hackathon in Brașov, Romania, tickets to the SaaStock Dublin and access to the HubSpot for Startup Perk. Being a part of this event reaffirmed our belief in the power of: 💪 Community collaboration 📈 Expert mentorship (proud of our in-house mentors!) 📚 Continuous learning 🌎 Diverse networking 🏆 Celebrating every achievement, big or small A massive thank you to everyone involved. Your passion, dedication, and drive are what makes events like these monumental. Here's to many more such enriching experiences, and to innovating together for a brighter tomorrow! #TechForGood #StartupWeekend #PostEventReflections #MentorshipMatters #InnovateTogether #startupsuccess #TechForChange #EntrepreneurialJourney #SustainableTech #WeekendOfInnovation #BusinessMentors #NetworkingGoals #PitchToPrototype

Joined Amela for an educational webinar "Demystifying The Founder's Journey" today. I was looking forward to the guest speakers + Q&A with founders to hear about challenges in the journey. 💎 Guest speakers, and founders themselves, Roxana Antohi & Aaron Polhamus had some gems: -readiness is a myth -be a "body in motion" -focus on a small market you can win -don't get caught up in the hype OR the doom -how to approach industry peers -networking tips esp. in CDMX Thanks also to Michelle Fischman from Amela for being an adept facilitator--keeping the Q&A fresh so speakers could roll out the helpful advice + inspiration. 👁️🗨️ We will definitely keep an eye out for future sessions from this team! 🎯 Building up our strengths at Archer Impact helps us to be better founders, engage fully in our mission, and produce better results for our clients. #startups #femalefounders #supportnetwork https://lnkd.in/eFernPcY

Startups often struggle with resource limitations, which can be a significant barrier to their development. A survey revealed that 75% of startups feel they lack the necessary resources to scale effectively, impacting their growth trajectory and market competitiveness. These constraints highlight the critical need for comprehensive support systems within the startup ecosystem. (Source: Kauffman Foundation.) At Visionary Labs, we address this challenge head-on by creating an integrated community where startups can access a diverse array of resources and expertise. Our ecosystem is designed to be responsive, continuously evolving to meet the unique needs of our participants. By encouraging open dialogue, we ensure that every startup can leverage the necessary tools and support to achieve their goals and drive sustainable growth. What resources do you find most crucial for startup success? Comment below and explore our ecosystem here: https://lnkd.in/e73-mbTK #StartupSuccess #GlobalGrowth #Innovation #TechStartups #AcceleratorProgram