The Entrepreneurial Rollercoaster

Transcription

1 CONFERENCE PRESENTATION BROCHURE The Entrepreneurial Rollercoaster May 14 and 15, 2014 PODIM is a two-day intense educational and motivational entrepreneurial experience and one of the largest regional conferences on entrepreneurship. An event no serious entrepreneur should miss. General sponsor

2 PODIM 2014 Introductory Remarks Europe, and in particular Slovenia, is not well inclined to establishing companies where each and every path begins with an individual seeing a business opportunity. Whilst according to the survey of the largest global entrepreneurship research Global Entrepreneurship Monitor, in innovative economies, which Slovenia is one of, just over 30% of adult inhabitants believe there are business opportunities to be found in their vicinity, in Slovenia this figure is only 20%. This puts Slovenia in the sixth place. Entrepreneurship has so far not been accepted as a chosen career choice to a sufficient extent. Rather than innovation, we seem to prefer standard procedures; rather than entrepreneurial risk, we prefer safe jobs. However, this leads to a low rate of entrepreneurial innovation culture, a low rate of new companies establishment, low added value and poorer conditions and structure of the economy. Above all, there is a lack of innovative companies, those that are based on modern technology and which are able to compete in the global market. Prof. dr. Miroslav Rebernik Co-founder of Venture factory and Head of the Department for Entrepreneurship and Business Economics at EPF UM Risk is always present in any innovation; however, without taking risks, there is no reward either for the entrepreneur as a financial reward, media recognition, the feeling of being a topical news and similar, nor for wider society in the form of new jobs, new products, economy growth or social and economic perspective. The 34 th PODIM conference is dedicated to this particular issue. We will address all key and milestone situations an entrepreneur may encounter with when assuming risks as well as rewards that such risk taking may potentially bring. Our aim is to encourage creative and in particular young people, to arm them with the latest knowledge in order to increase entrepreneurship, boldness and innovation of people and companies in the region. Miroslav Rebernik, Head of the PODIM programme committee In the past two years we have made an important step forward as part of the Slovene start-up ecosystem we have begun to liaise and cooperate. This has resulted in the Start:up Slovenia initiative, which brings together leading supportive environment entities in Slovenia and links also other key stakeholders of the entrepreneurship ecosystem. Together we have consolidated existing national programmes and developed new ones in accordance with global trends; and the first results are excellent and clear to see. The PODIM conference is the most important entrepreneurship event in Slovenia and one of more significant events in the region. Our aim is to consolidate the latter. As part of the national programmes we have developed the Go:Global Slovenia programme, which aims to assist Slovene start-up companies in their global expansion and entry of foreign start-ups to the Slovene market. This we are achieving through connections with other startup hubs. mag. Iztok Lesjak Director of Technology Park Ljubljana We are also extremely pleased with strategic connections with the COINVEST initiative which focuses on integration of entrepreneurial teams and investors, both local and international. PODIM does not only bring together the key national players once a year, but is becoming an important event for all of those with whom we cooperate on national and global level. Iztok Lesjak, Director of Technology Park Ljubljana, Initiative Startup Slovenia

3 The forthcoming 34 th PODIM conference will be improved and upgraded as compared to those organized in the past, by giving it a strengthened regional touch. There will be a number of renowned foreign speakers and hardened professionals; in addition, our aim is to attract many visitors from neighbouring countries as well as the wider region. We shall do our utmost to ensure all participants and visitors alike have an unforgettable entrepreneurial experience, obtain the greatest amount of entrepreneurial knowledge and provide for them a variety of opportunities for networking and making new acquaintances. Our mission is to organize top-level events and programmes aimed at innovative companies who are undertaking risky start-up business opportunities, with the help of the experience of successful and unsuccessful start-up stories as well as well-established companies. It is thanks to experienced entrepreneurs that we will be able to conjure an unforgettable entrepreneurial experience; for this reason I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who has actively participated in the creation of the conference s programme. mag. Matej Rus Co-founder and director of Venture factory and Senior Lecturer at EPF UM Matej Rus, Head of the PODIM organizing committee At the conference, renowned international guests will present through a series of roundtables, lectures and workshops from academic and practical points of view, their most advanced knowledge relating to new technology companies as well as their valuable experience.

4 MARIBOR, Slovenia PODIM 2014 Conference you Can Not Afford to Miss What to expect from the PODIM conference? We will start the first day with a networking coffee where you will have the opportunity to make your first new acquaintances. This will be followed by a series of appearances on stage, lectures and roundtables, all aimed to motivate and provide additional ideas. This will be followed by lunch with organized networking. After lunch, there will be a series of simultaneous practical workshops which attendees will be able to choose according to their personal preferences. The topics will include difficult as well as pleasant situations that any entrepreneur can find himself/herself in. After the conclusion of the formal motivational and educational programme we will hold the competition for the Start:up of the year 2014, where for the seventh time in a row we will select and award a certificate to the most perspective Slovene start-up company. Followed by a party until the early hours of the morning. To ensure you get plenty of rest and recharge your batteries to face new challenges, the second day s programme will begin an hour or so later. A series of lectures, workshops and networking opportunities will take place until lunch. We guarantee you an intense two-day entrepreneurial experience you will never forget, whilst at the same time you will come away with an abundance of knowledge, motivation and new acquaintances. If you are looking for an investor, mentor or a new team member, you will have plenty of opportunities to introduce yourself, your idea and your bigger vision.

5 PODIM 2014 Visitors to PODIM The PODIM conference is aimed at all who wish to go through an intense two-day entrepreneurial experience, and above all at: Start-up entrepreneurs in new and existing companies: Who want to be motivated, gain new knowledge, network with local and foreign guests, identify potential colleagues and co-founders, and also find potential investments and, last but not least, to have fun. Venture capital investors: Who want to identify new investment opportunities, network with entrepreneurs and other participants at the conference. Investors are actively involved in the events taking place at the conference in terms of pitching of entrepreneurial ideas as well as in terms of mentoring, assessing start-up companies, taking the stage, etc. Entrepreneurship support environment and public administration: Cooperation between all stakeholders of the support environment is of key importance since one of the conference s objective is to unite all stakeholders of the support environment and to present global trends and global best practices to facilitate their implementation into the local environment. Everyone interested in entrepreneurship: All who are interested in entrepreneurship and who are enterprising at heart, from developers, technical directors and development managers of large companies, researchers in the field of entrepreneurship and innovation, entrepreneurial consultants in the field of technology transfer, students and young researchers as well as all who have or are looking for good entrepreneurial ideas. 44% Start-up companies 30% Support environment 2% Media 16% Directors and Managers 6% Institutions of knowledge 2% Investors

6 PODIM 2014 Entrepreneurial Rollercoaster No major advances in the world were achieved without major risks; and this is also true for entrepreneurship. However, along with risk come specific challenges in individual phases of a company s growth. These risks can be clearly illustrated with the entrepreneurial merry-go-round a rollercoaster of death and delight. One moment you are in the depth of despair and the other on the top of the world; and in-between, you are enjoying a wild, adrenalin filled journey. These specific challenges and how to overcome them to build a successful global company, will be the main topics of the 34 th PODIM international conference. Today s business environment has become completely unpredictable, dynamic and exceptionally complex. The new global dynamics of entrepreneurial environment requires significantly higher levels of psychological capital, additional knowledge and ingenuity on the part of the entrepreneur. It isn t seldom that entrepreneurs face disaster on their entrepreneurial path and often they face extremely difficult situations; therefore, their mentality must be quickly adapt to fast changes on the market. A ship is safe in harbour, but that s not what ships are for. ~ William Shedd And it is precisely taking risks that can bring the highest rewards. Today s markets are global, rich and filled with opportunities. Even though today it is probably most difficult to succeed in entrepreneurship due to global competition, the continuous need for innovation and extreme dynamics of the business environment offer almost an unlimited potential for success. If an entrepreneur thinks big, the limit of potential success is but the sky. In addition to potentially exceptional financial success, entrepreneurial achievements bring with them opportunities to trade in numerous interesting markets, media recognition, allow for influencing technical and economic development and contribute to changing life for the better. These are the moments you reap rewards, however the path to this is full of extreme obstacles and hidden traps. You should ignore fear if it s irrational. Even if it s rational and the stake is worth it, it s still worth proceeding. ~ Elon Musk, Tesla Motors Over 40 regional and international entrepreneurial stars will share with us first-hand knowledge and experiences and explain how they have overcome the most difficult of challenges and advise you how you can succeed in building a global entrepreneurial story. Don t worry about failure; you only have to be right once. ~ Drew Houston, Dropbox

7 Past PODIM Conference Stars International entrepreneurial stars Paddy Cosgrave F.ounders Gregory Bernarda Business Model Generation team Pekka Santeri Mäki 3TS Capital Jeff Skinner London Business School Oren Michels Oliver Holle Raphael H. Cohen Laszo Czirjak Viktor Marhonič CEO and co-founder of Mashery from Silicon Valley Serial entrepreneur and founder of SpeedInvest Serial entrepreneur, active CEO, business angel and Academic Director at HEC Geneva ieurope Capital ShoutEm Regional entrepreneurial stars Miha Mikek Jure Mikuž Andraž Tori Andrej Mertelj Celtra RSG Capital Zemanta Datalab Ivo Boscarol Pipistrel Igor Akrapovič Akrapovič Sandi Češko Studio Moderna Jugoslav Petkovič Mimovrste Aleš Špetič Cube Sensors

8 PODIM 2014 Networking and Investment Opportunities Start-up of the year 2014 The first day of the PODIM conference will end with the Start-up of the year 2014 Award Ceremony. The Start:up of the year competition is a national competition of start-up companies. The aim of the competition is to recognize the best entrepreneurial teams and start-up companies in the Slovene environment, provide them with professional support, potential investor contacts and promote them to the general public. PODIM Challenge The PODIM Challenge is an opportunity for all entrepreneurs wanting to pitch themselves and their idea to the PODIM attendants and investors and potential partners from Slovenia and abroad. Five enterprises will win the opportunity to pitch to the investors and compete for a meeting and further discussions with investors. PODIM Matching PODIM Matching is an opportunity for all entrepreneurs with an idea looking for team members. On the other hand, PODIM Matching is also an excellent opportunity for everyone looking to join an start up. Five companies will have the chance to pitch to an audience comprised of people interested in working in a start-up company. Each member of the audience will state his or her interest in working with one of the companies, followed by face-to-face meetings. PODIM Networking During the breaks on both conferences days, including coffee and lunch breaks, we will organise several opportunities for networking, connecting and gaining new contacts - in both a professional and a lighter, fun-filled manner. Evening PODIM party At the end of the first day the hotel will host an evening party for all conference participants, including a DJ and entertainment. The evening party represents a further opportunity for networking, getting to know people and having fun at the conference. Pictures from past events.

9 PODIM Conference in Media

10 Blaž Kos Matej Rus General sponsor Strategic partner Technological partner Coorganizers Investment partner Promotional partner