The second edition of “Startup WRO Meetup”. Startups talked about foreign expansion
According to the Startup Poland Foundation, the vast majority of Polish startup founders have plans to expand abroad. What challenges they face and what mistakes to avoid were discussed on Wednesday by their representatives, as well as investors, scientists and students. All this during the “Startup Wro Meetup x Let’s get (c)loud” meeting, which was the second such event this year organized by Startup Wroclaw.
Hugely needed networking
This time experts shared their experience after successful and unsuccessful expansions. The event program included a panel discussion with experts, four keynote speeches by mentors and experienced founders, and pitch decks by local startups.
According to Anna Mazurek, Head of Community at Startup Poland, networking is of huge importance at such meetings.
“The fact that people can talk face to face is much more important and valuable than exchanging emails or even talking on the phone. You can see that after the pandemic there is a huge need for such live meetings. That’s why I’m very happy that Wroclaw is so willing and so often organizes them. Especially since there is also a great desire to deepen knowledge. Today the topic is the foreign expansion of startups. I hope that more and more of them will decide to go with their business outside the country.”
– Anna Mazurek
Expansion is one of the best ways to grow
According to Tomasz Szarek, legal counsel and managing partner at SDZLEGAL Schindhelm, such meetings are essential for building and developing the startup ecosystem.
“Our country lacks this type of solution. That’s why I’m very happy that such events are taking place in my hometown. If only because people in an easy and accessible way, without having to pay for it, can come and listen to very interesting people and experts who can share their knowledge and experience. We all know that times are not easy, so expanding abroad is one of the best ways to grow.”
– Tomasz Szarek
Also according to Lukasz Urbański, CEO of lens, such meetings are much needed.
“This is another meeting I’m attending in Wroclaw. For all startup owners networking is the most important thing. For sure, if one is interested in any business and seeking knowledge, such events are crucial.”
– Lukasz Urbański
Rafał Poszwiński, sales director of MK Business Link, also shared his experience.
“For two years I was in charge of introducing companies to Middle Eastern markets. This was successful, so I am happy to share my experience of what this market offers.”
– Rafał Poszwiński
Valuable support of the startup environment
The April event is being organized in cooperation with “Let’s get (c)loud,” an accelerator program for startups and scaleups run by OChK and Google Cloud.
“So far I haven’t had the opportunity to participate in any startup meeting in Wroclaw yet. It’s nice to meet in a wider group. That’s why I’m even more pleased that we could present our unique approach to the Let’s get (c)loud startup program, which we’ve been running in Poland for a year. Its main goal is to support startups and scaleups in the effective use of cloud technologies.”
– Paweł Roguski, Head of SMB, OchK
“We are happy to support such a worthy initiative. Especially since we are very supportive of the overseas expansion of our technology startups. At such meetings, we have the opportunity to meet many startups and startup women. We try to support this community both in Wroclaw and throughout Poland.”
– Mateusz Cybula,Senior Specialist for Cooperation with Innovation Sector, BNP Paribas Bank
Partners of the event were: Bank BNP Paribas, SDZ Legal Schindhelm, Startup Poland Foundation, OChK, Google Cloud, Wolves Summit, CUDO Kombucha, Browar Stu Mostów, ETNO Cafe, WeExpert, Blitz Energy Drink and Pij Kranówkę.
Media patrons: Radio Wroclaw, Radio RAM, Mam Startup.
