The London Startup Scene
Networking, Open mic pitching Vasily Alekseenko Networking, Open mic pitching Vasily Alekseenko

The London Startup Scene

This week has been a lot, but it has also been fun!

Next Wednesday I will have hosted 4 events in 7 days😱. My record so far. But now back to what happened on Wednesday!

You know what happened? Yes, Rare Founders open mic pitching and networking event for founders and investors.

Sadly from 30 investors registered just a couple showed up ☹ But 200+ founders for sure got tons of value from the event anyway!

I see an interesting trend, each time we get more and more advanced startups with some mind-blowing businesses. (Top 2 for me: new type of industrial battery that can store energy for much longer than anything else available out there, AI powered tool that can read the online sentiment on businesses and evaluate the potential of it being a cyber attack by bots to damage reputation).

The highlight of the event was Saranjit Sangar, the CEO of Betterspace. Who shared her journey as a female startup leader on what it takes to build a startup in the current environment.

A few learnings:

1. founders need to be driven by passion, as if they are driven by money, they will be disappointed (at least in the short term).

2. Fundraising never stops and specifically in the UK it is relationship driven.

3. Networking and relationship building are key for startup success. It takes time, huge effort, should not be transactional, but it eventually pays off.

This time we also had some surprises for founders:

Julia O'Toole, co-founder of MyCena Security Solutions and Nkeiruka Whenu, Founder of Web3sy won free tickets to C3 Dev Festival in Amsterdam on 14-15 June. Polina Bertosh, thank you a lot for this amazing prize!

3 founders (Nkeiruka Whenu, Rupert Holms, Mike Adams) will enter a draw to pitch at London’s largest demo day and investor & founder conference on 22 April 2024. In the coming days, I will be posting their pitch video from the event. The post that gets the most engagement will be shortlisted to pitch at the event. Pretty simple.

That’s all for now. Open mic pitching event will be back soon❤️

Huge thank you to Raushan Irgaliyeva Nikita Pevnev and Luca Spiller for helping out at the event and to Michael Nugent for welcoming us again to Dockside Vaults ❤️

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The London Startup Scene
Networking, Open mic pitching Vasily Alekseenko Networking, Open mic pitching Vasily Alekseenko

The London Startup Scene

The more you have, the more you fear losing it.

Monday, RareFounders - The London Startup Scene hosted its first open mic hashtag#pitching and hashtag#networking event of the year.

Since launching nearly a year ago, I've hosted over 10 events, each drawing an average of 250 attendees. But nothing is guaranteed, and I've come to realize the seasonality involved.

January was our first attempt at a post-New Year event, and Dry January's impact on attendance was a concern, as many opt out of alcohol-involved gatherings.

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The London Startup Scene
Cold reads, Networking Vasily Alekseenko Cold reads, Networking Vasily Alekseenko

The London Startup Scene

On Tuesday, RareFounders - The London Startup Scene hosted its last #networking event for #founders and #investors this year. And, as always with us, it was an event with a twist 🌀.

We presented our new branding with the website. A website isn't something special, but for us, it is, as we have been operating without one for 10 months. Now, all our events are in one place 🌐.

We also introduced everyone to RareFounders #DemoDay, which we will be hosting in partnership with VCs in April 2024 (more on this later) 📅.

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Founders pitching brunch
Networking, Open mic pitching, Brunch Vasily Alekseenko Networking, Open mic pitching, Brunch Vasily Alekseenko

Founders pitching brunch

RareFounders’ Brunch: Where Founders Fine-Tune Pitches Over Fine Food 🍳🎤

In the whirlwind of October's four back-to-back events, RareFounders - The London Startup Scene hit a sweet note with our first-ever founders-only open mic networking brunch. It was a cozy and vibrant affair, attended by 37 entrepreneurial spirits, united by a passion for innovation and a penchant for great food. 🍽️

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The London Startup Scene
Networking, Open mic pitching Vasily Alekseenko Networking, Open mic pitching Vasily Alekseenko

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The Dublin startup scene
Networking, Open mic pitching Vasily Alekseenko Networking, Open mic pitching Vasily Alekseenko

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This month, RareFounders - The London Startup Scene celebrates a thrilling milestone with four standout events, including our very first foray into Ireland's vibrant tech scene with Dublin Startup Scene at SaaStock! 🇬🇧✈️🇮🇪

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The London Startup Scene
Networking, Open mic pitching, Cold reads Vasily Alekseenko Networking, Open mic pitching, Cold reads Vasily Alekseenko

The London Startup Scene

RareFounders' Seventh Edition: A Spectacular Melting Pot of Global Innovation 🌍🚀

Navigating the bustling world of startup events without a social media manager means my updates are fashionably late, but always worth the wait. Last Thursday, we celebrated the 7th edition of RareFounders - The London Startup Scene, and what a fiesta of entrepreneurship it was! 🎉

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The London Startup Scene
Networking, Open mic pitching Vasily Alekseenko Networking, Open mic pitching Vasily Alekseenko

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We did it again, and this time, it was not just a gathering; it was a celebration of the indomitable spirit of London's startup community at the illustrious Omeara stage, courtesy of TVG Hospitality. Despite the odds, the event surpassed expectations, turning potential setbacks into a night to remember. 💫🎉

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The London Startup Scene
Networking, Open mic pitching Vasily Alekseenko Networking, Open mic pitching Vasily Alekseenko

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Each RareFounders event feels like a new peak conquered, and last night was no exception. The London Startup Scene was abuzz with an electric mix of networking, pitching, and spontaneous fun that resonated throughout the venue.

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The London Startup Scene
Networking, Open mic pitching Vasily Alekseenko Networking, Open mic pitching Vasily Alekseenko

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The RareFounders - The London Startup Scene event last night wasn't just busy; it was a record-smasher! We checked in 240 guests, but the crowd swelled beyond that — a testament to the electric energy and enthusiasm that filled the air.

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The London Startup Scene
Networking, Open mic pitching Vasily Alekseenko Networking, Open mic pitching Vasily Alekseenko

The London Startup Scene

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The RareFounders networking and pitching event last night was nothing short of a phenomenon. The air was electrified at Park Row, thanks to the incredible setting and Matthew Prowse's unwavering support. 🎇

Saying goodbye to my corporate life has opened a world where ambition and passion burn bright in the hearts of the startup community. The concentration of eager, innovative, and driven individuals last night was truly inspiring, and I'm humbled to be at the epicenter of this movement.

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The London Startup Scene
Networking, Open mic pitching Vasily Alekseenko Networking, Open mic pitching Vasily Alekseenko

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The London Startup Scene's Networking Spectacular: Zero Budget, Heroic Impact & the Launch of Open Mic Pitching 🎤💥

In the heart of London's startup scene, something extraordinary is happening. Foogin's networking events, crafted from sheer will and zero budget, have sparked a revolution. Here's where ambition meets opportunity, and where we made our mark with the debut of Open Mic Pitching.

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The London Startup Scene
Networking, Open mic pitching Vasily Alekseenko Networking, Open mic pitching Vasily Alekseenko

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Last night's event was nothing short of electric! As we launched into the buzzing world of startups and investment in London, we were blown away by the turnout - over 220 brilliant minds gathered under one roof! 😱

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