Event Report: StartUs Connect Vienna 6.0

by: Susi Mayer

Published on: October 27, 2015

What did StartUs achieve in its first business year? What does insecurity have to do with innovation? Might it be a good idea to turn your business model upside-down? Find the answers to these questions in our event report of StartUs Connect!

If everyone laughs at you, you’re on the right track.

On October 22nd, we celebrated the first anniversary of StartUs (and StartUs Connect) at the co-working space Stockwerk in Vienna. Community members from all over town as well as Budapest, Bratislava and many more gathered to spend the evening experiencing inspirational talks and enjoying some leisurely networking.

StartUs’ 1st Birthday – What’s New?

First, David R. Prasser, founder of StartUs, offered some insights into the first business year of his company. He explained why it wasn’t easy to get his company going in the beginning.

“When I first came to Vienna, I was looking for co-founders and co-workers for my startup, a photography platform (Note: Street View Photography). I needed a motivated person with technical skills. For one year, I was going to every event, spending so much time on blind networking. I asked myself, why can’t you just ask 3 questions to find the right person to work with?”

And the rest, as they say, is history. StartUs was created to give startups a chance to find co-workers and co-founders, and to offer motivated people a possibility to find the right startup to work for. Since the launch of StartUs in 2014, 9.000 people have joined the network. As of October 21st 2015, StartUs counts 10.000 job offers on its platform, making it the biggest collection of startup jobs in Europe.

The 3 Speakers Of The Night

When Selma Prodanovic stepped on stage, we knew that inspiration and good advice would follow soon. Selma is the founder of the startup consultancy Brainswork and of the Austrian Angels Investors Association (AAIA). She had to learn the hard way what it feels like to experience no help in starting a business.

“My kids were still babies. I had been unemployed for six months, and I wanted to do something. As there was no box for me, I created my own. I had no network, no money. I felt I needed to create something to support people when they’re starting to realise their own projects.”

Everyone knows that it’s hard to keep believing in your own idea when nobody else is. Selma sees it differently:

“If everyone laughs at you, thinks you’re crazy, then you’re on the right track. Listen to your gut feeling. If for some reason, you feel that it’s the right thing – just do it. Insecurity means you’re on the verge of innovation.”

After Selma’s inspiring keynote, Konstantin Dshajani, founder of Fundraizer, gave us a little insight into what his company can do for you and your business. Developed as an award-based crowdfunding tool, Fundraizer offers a diverse package of business support. Winners of the award can benefit from prizes like free book-keeping, business development workshops, co-working spaces and various coaching and consultation packages.

The reasons to join a fundraizer campaign are manifold, explains Konstantin.

“Apart from raising funds for their projects, startups can expand awareness for their work and distribute their vision to a wider public. Entrepreneurs-to-be can also meet the funders and connect with them. This helps funders getting to know the idea they will support as well as the person behind it.”

A big challenge for newcomers always seems to be the approval from the outside world. This can also be facilitated via a fundraizer campaign.

“Founders get funding and approval from a community of people who care not just about the project but also about the individual’s success. And last but not least you as a start-up will stay in control of your equity. Projects and businesses remain 100% yours!”

After finding out about Fundraizer’s campaigns and benefits, it was time for Bianca Gfrei from Kiweno to let us in on her success story.

Bianca’s company enables self-testing for food intolerances that can be comfortably be done from home, with the results being delivered online. What is now known as Kiweno, a rising star in the market of e-health companies, was launched over two years ago under a different name. After focusing on B2B which didn’t prove to be promising, and on the verge of giving up and with a different job offer in her pocket, Bianca held on tight to her idea. With the help of Business Angel Hansi Hansmann, Bianca and her team changed the business strategy and started targeting private customers, thus completely turning the tide of their venture.

Kiweno has made it. If things don’t always go right in the beginning, Bianca has a final tip for you.

“If life wants to seduce you to give up on your business, listen to your gut feeling. If it tells you to carry on, you have to believe in your idea and carry on. That’s what I did.”

What Comes Next

And that’s what we’ll do – carry on!
The next StartUs Connect events will take place in Bratislava (Nov. 6th) and Tirana (Nov. 18th) – make sure to grab your free tickets & stay updated for future events near you here.