How to present your product in the international arena and participate in Seeds of Bravery delegations: results of Info Day 6
May 15, 2024 — A comprehensive Info Day dedicated to the overview of the Seeds of Bravery delegations was held online within the Seeds of Bravery (UASEEDs) project. The event’s agenda focused on understanding the importance of delegations, including why to participate and a preview of relevant events for 2024. It also detailed the selection process for delegates, the benefits of joining such initiatives, and how they can accelerate growth through support from incubators and accelerators. Additional discussions covered the networking and partnership opportunities available and the value of business-startup collaborations at tech events.
The event brought together a diverse group of speakers, including:
- Yana Paladiieva — Head of Projects and Programmes at the Ukrainian Startup Fund;
- Andrii Zaikin — CEO at YEP;
- Inna Perepelytsya – Senior Advisor at Luxinnovation;
- Kateryna Hrechko – CEO at Techosystem.
Yana Paladiieva provided an in-depth overview of the benefits and procedures for participating in the Ukrainian national delegation under the Seeds of Bravery project. She highlighted the UA Tech Ticket offer, which allows Ukrainian tech SMEs, startups, and scale-ups to join major tech events worldwide.
The selection process to join the national delegation under the Seeds of Bravery project , as outlined by Yana Paladiieva, begins with an open call announced across UASEEDs social media platforms. Interested startups must meet specific criteria such as being based in Ukraine or a member state of the European Union and being in the pre-seed to Series A funding stages. The application involves submitting a detailed form through the USF web portal, leading to a pitch day when participants present their projects. Yana noted the critical role of thorough preparation for the pitch day, including ensuring pitches are delivered in English and tailored to the specific time constraints and audience of the chosen conference.
Successful participants will then join the delegation, gaining an invaluable platform to network, attract investments, and potentially secure strategic partnerships.
In the near future, the Seeds of Bravery project will arrange delegations to the following conferences: VivaTech in Pars, Latitude59 in Estonia, London Tech Week in the UK, Nexus 2050 in Luxembourg.
In a comprehensive summary of his speech, Andrii Zaikin explained the various benefits and opportunities associated with joining delegations, emphasising the critical role of incubators and accelerators. He highlighted how these organisations can significantly accelerate startup growth by providing non-financial support, including preparation for delegations through mentorship and access to networks.
Andrii noted the effectiveness of delegations in fostering startup development. He detailed how participation in international delegations offers startups exposure and networking opportunities that can lead to potential partnerships, customer engagement, and investor interest.
Furthermore, Andrii Zaikin emphasised the importance of proper preparation for these events, which incubators and accelerators facilitate. He pointed out that these entities help startups craft compelling pitch decks and refine their pitches, ensuring they can effectively communicate their value propositions in front of diverse audiences at global tech events.
In her speech, Inna Perepelytsya provided valuable insights into networking and partnership possibilities within the Seeds of Bravery projects.
Inna highlighted the role of Plug&Play in managing matchmaking services within the consortium, utilising its extensive network of corporates and investors to support startups.
Further elaborating on the importance of preparation for networking events, Inna outlined the three crucial stages of engagement: pre-event preparation, active engagement during the event, and post-event follow-up and summarization. She stressed that defining clear objectives for each event is essential for effective support from the consortium. This includes specifying needs such as funding, product development, go-to-market strategies, and identifying potential corporate and investor connections.
Lastly, Inna Perepelytsya mentioned that LuxInnovation supports startups in crafting 45-second pitches and will provide resources to help refine their approach, underscoring the ongoing need for clarity and precision in communication to maximise networking outcomes.
Highlighting the importance of preparation for effective participation in tech events, Kateryna Hrechko outlined the structured approach recommended for startups: pre-event preparation, active engagement during the event, and diligent follow-up. She elaborated on the need for startups to define clear objectives and identify specific support requirements, such as funding needs or go-to-market strategies, to maximise the benefits of networking opportunities at these events.
Further, Kateryna Hrechko also shared insights into international delegations and collaborations that the Techosystem supports, helping to bridge Ukraine’s tech industry with global markets. These efforts underscore the vital role of business-startup collaboration in amplifying the impact and success of startups on an international scale.
To watch the video recording of the Info Day #6, please follow the link: https://www.youtube.com/live/ivdOSZdyXZk?si=2Ixv6VP1oxO4JFvv
The initiative will continue to engage and inform participants through a series of subsequent Info Days, focusing on different facets of the Seeds of Bravery project:
- Info Day №7: Step by step: successful application for the Seeds of Bravery project
- Info Day №8: Insights from Seeds of Bravery non-financial support
Do not miss the upcoming events!
Funded by the European Union, under the European Innovation Council (EIC). Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or European Commission. Neither the European Union nor the European Commission can be held responsible for them. The UASEEDs project has received funding from the Horizon Europe Framework Programme under grant agreement No 101104445.