The Founder Institute hosted the first "FounderX Europe" event in Sofia, Bulgaria on May 30th - June 1st, 2018, and Founders, Directors, Mentors, and Investors from 24 countries joined us for this memorable event.
Check out the event agenda below, or see photos from the event here.
The next FounderX event is being planned now. All members of the FI Network will be notified by email when the event is announced.
The theme of FounderX Europe was "Finding Funding in 2018". In particular, we aimed to help our Graduates, Directors, and Mentors better understand how to get funding in 2018, in both traditional ways (with guidance from angels, accelerators, and early-stage VCs), as well as through emerging models like ICOs and crowdfunding. This event is specifically designed to help our Graduates gain the contacts, personal feedback, and hands-on strategic improvements they need to capitalize themselves in 2018 and beyond.
SPEAKERS & OFFICE HOURS
FounderX Europe consisted of 25+ expert speakers and Office Hours hosts, including:
Scott Painter: Founder of TrueCar (NASDAQ: TRUE), Fair.com ($1BN+ funding), Cars Direct (acquired for $1.1BN).
Dafina Toncheva: Partner at USVP (U.S. Venture Partners)
Adeo Ressi: Co-Founder & CEO of the Founder Institute, 9X entrepreneur
Sasha Bezuhanova: Founder and Chairperson at MOVE.BG, Angel Investor
Raphael Crouan: Founder & CEO of the Startupbootcamp IoT Program
Rossi Mitova: Founder & CEO of Farmhopping, Forbes "30 Under 30" Europe
Enis Hulli: Venture Partner at 500 Startups
Stefano L. Tresca: Managing Partner of iSeed, StartupHome, Founding Member of Level39
A. Dara Dotz: Co-Founder & Principal Designer at Field Ready, 3D Printing Pioneer
Vassil Terziev: Co-founder of Telerik, Partner at Eleven Ventures, MD at VT Investments
Ben Larson: General Partner of Backplane Capital, Co-Founder & Managing Partner, Gateway Incubator
Nuno Arantes-Oliveira: Managing Partner at Arantes Saude Investments
Daan Weddepohl: Founder & CEO of Peerby, Alumni of Rockstart, Techstars, FI
Stanislav Sirakov: Partner at LAUNCHub Ventures
Maz Cohen: Founder of Wisher.com, Co-Founder of Metamorph.io
Kamal Hassan: Partner at Loyal Venture Capital, Global Director at Founder Institute
Joel Hughes: Director of Europe, Indiegogo
Peter Lazou: Venture Builder & Angel Investor at ValaCo Ventures, Director of Milan FI
Mark Rogers: CEO of Futurist Labs, Founder Institute Mentor
Milen Ivanov: Founder of Angels Club, Founder Institute Director, Angel Investor
Eeppi Nieminen: Founder of Coachilla, Founder Institute Alumni
Jonathan Greechan: Co-Founder of the Founder Institute, Head of Marketing
Andrew Crawford: Global Finance Manager, Founder Institute
Ryan Micheletti: Co-Founder of Vet-Tech Accelerator, Director of Global Ops at Founder Institute
AGENDA
Below was the agenda for FounderX Europe.
WEDNESDAY, MAY 30TH
9:30AM - 05:30PM
Open Office Hours & Co-Working (for FI Grads, Directors & Mentors)
FI HQ is matchmaking "Office Hours" with promising Graduates and various FI mentors throughout the day. You are also welcome to work and mingle at the Puzl CowOrKing space throughout the day (coffee, snacks, and sandwiches will be served).
LOCATION: Puzl CowOrKing (Cherni Vrah 47A, 1407 Sofia) >> See more thorough directions here.
10:00AM - 11:00AM
Group Office Hours Session, with Adeo Ressi (for FI Grads)
Adeo will host a small office hours for FI Graduates to discuss their business ideas, challenges, and more.
LOCATION: Puzl CowOrKing (Cherni Vrah 47A, 1407 Sofia) >> See more thorough directions here.
12:00PM - 05:00PM
2018 European Director Offsite (for FI Directors)
FI Directors are invited to join our yearly offsite to discuss and plan the future of the Founder Institute (coffee, snacks, and sandwiches will be served).
LOCATION: Puzl CowOrKing (Cherni Vrah 47A, 1407 Sofia) >> See more thorough directions here.
07:00PM - 09:30PM
VIP Director Dinner Reception (invite-only)
FI Directors are invited to join an intimate dinner at Rekata Rakia, to enjoy authentic gastronomic Bulgarian cuisine. This event is strictly invite-only.
LOCATION: Raketa Rakia (bul. "Yanko Sakazov" 17, 1527 Sofia Center, Sofia, Bulgaria)
09:30PM - ???
FounderX Welcome Reception with Drinks
Start the FounderX event at this casual meetup at a hip lounge in Sofia. A cash bar will be available.
LOCATION: Sputnik Cocktail Bar (bul. "Yanko Sakazov" 17, 1527 Sofia Center, Sofia, Bulgaria)
THURSDAY, MAY 31ST
09:15AM - 05:30PM
FounderX Un-Conference: "Finding Funding in 2018"
This private, collaborative "un-conference" will feature intensive workshops, panel discussions, pitch feedback sessions, and presentations from top venture-funded entrepreneurs, angel investors, and venture capitalists from Europe, Silicon Valley and beyond.
The theme of this event will be "Finding Funding in 2018". In particular, we aim to help our Graduates, Directors, and Mentors better understand how to get funding in 2018, in both traditional ways (with guidance from angels, accelerators, and early-stage VCs), as well as through emerging models like ICOs and crowdfunding. This event is specifically designed to help our Graduates gain the contacts, personal feedback, and hands-on strategic improvements they need to capitalize themselves in 2018 and beyond.
LOCATION: S*Bar Co-Meeting Space (bul. "Nikola Y. Vaptsarov" 6, 1407 g.k. Lozenets, Sofia, Bulgaria)
Below is the final agenda:
09:15 AM: Welcoming Coffee Reception
09:45 AM: Opening Remarks: "State of the Founder Institute Europe" by Adeo Ressi (CEO of the Founder Institute)
10:30 AM: "Making Fundraising Your Core Competency," by Scott Painter (Founder of Fair.com)
11:15 AM: Angel & Accelerator Funding Workshop: Sasha Bezuhanova, Milen Ivanov, Eeppi Nieminen, Peter Lazou, Enis Hulli, Raph Crouan, Vassil Terziev
12:05 PM: Lunch Break
12:50 PM: Keynote Speech by Dara Dotz: Co-Founder & Principal Designer at Field Ready
01:15 PM: Seed & VC Funding Workshop: Stanislav Sirakov, Kamal Hassan, Rossi Mitova, Ben Larson, Nuno Arantes-Oliveira
02:05 PM: Coffee Break
02:20 PM: Crowdfunding Keynote Speech by Daan Wedenpohl: Founder of Peerby, FI Amsterdam Graduate
02:45 PM: Crowdfunding Panel & Workshop: Daan Wedenpohl, Joel Hughes
03:15 PM: Fireside Chat with Dafina Toncheva (Partner at USVP)
03:45 PM: Coffee Break
04:00 PM: ICO Keynote Speech by Maz Cohen: Co-Founder of Metamorph.io
04:25 PM: "ICO Funding Panel & Workshop": Stefano L. Tresca, Maz Cohen
05:00 PM: "How Startups Die", by Mark Rogers (CEO of Futurist Labs)
05:30 PM: Wrap Up
05:30PM - 7:30PM
FounderX Happy Hour & Light Dinner
Enjoy drinks and traditional Bulgarian finger foods while you wind down the FounderX Conference!
LOCATION: S*Bar Co-Meeting Space (bul. "Nikola Y. Vaptsarov" 6, 1407 g.k. Lozenets, Sofia, Bulgaria)
9:00PM - ??? (doors open at 9 but the party doesn’t really get started until about 10:30)
DigitalK Official Afterparty, at Bedroom Premium Nightclub
After Dinner, those wanting to keep the night going can join the FI Team at the DigitalK afterparty, where you can network with both FounderX and DigitalK attendees. Get a bracelet from the FI Team at S*Bar for a free drink.
LOCATION: Bedroom Premium Nightclub (ul. Lege 2, 1000 Sofia Center, Sofia, Bulgaria)
FRIDAY, JUNE 1ST
09:30AM - 05:30PM
DigitalK Startup Conference
DigitalK, our official event partner, is one of the leading European technology events, and FounderX attendees are welcome to attend the event at no additional cost (you can get a pass from us at either Puzl on Wednesday, or S*Bar on Thursday). Learn more about the DigitalK event, agenda and speakers at DigitalK.bg.
LOCATION: Sofia Event Center (1407 Sofia, Bulgaria, Cherni Vrah Blvd 100, Paradise Center Floor 3)
05:30PM - 06:30PM
DigitalK Closing Networking Cocktail with SumUp
Enjoy drinks at the event of the DigitalK Conference.
LOCATION: Sofia Event Center (1407 Sofia, Bulgaria, Cherni Vrah Blvd 100, Paradise Center Floor 3)
7:00PM - 11:00PM
DigitalK Official Closing Party, at betahaus
Join the DigitalK Official Closing Party to network with both FounderX and DigitalK attendees.
LOCATION: betahaus (Krum Popov 56-58 str., Sofia 1421)