When you consider just how many thousands of bright, energetic and enthusiastic students there are right now in Berlin, it’s amazing how little startups are taking advantage of having such a talent pool on their doorstep. That may be about to change, however, as one of the city’s leading institutions is holding a day-long event designed to bridge that gap.
The Inspiration Talk will be held at the Technische Universität Berlin on Wednesday November 14 as part of the Startup Day which will include a series of lectures and workshops dealing with issues close to the hearts of founders. The highlight will see senior figures from top Berlin startups Gidsy, EyeEm, 6Wunderkinder, Readmill, Amen, and SoundCloud on stage to dole out advice alongside two companies founded by TU students, Carzapp and Wurfkamera.
Moderated by Silicon Allee’s David Knight, the discussion will be divided up into several sections, with two founders on stage alongside the student startups discussing topics like idea sustainability and what they wished they knew before they started.
The aim is for the event to provide as much useful advice as possible to students looking to get into startups – and for any other wannabe entrepreneurs. It’s a great opportunity to draw on the inspiration of people who have been there, done that and been given the sponsored t-shirt.
Prior to this, attendees can enjoy a full diary of insightful talks at Startup Day. Agnes Matushka, founding director of the Technical University Centre for Entrepreneurship, will be discussing foundation support. Ronald Free from the Investitionsbank Berlin will be discussing early stage financing for startups, followed up by a workshop on Project Management by Cartsen Lenz of Bearing Point.
All in all, an excellent way for students and startup folk alike to learn from the best around. Registration is open for the workshops prior to the Inspiration Talk which kick off at 12.30 am at Hardbergstraße 38, while the main talk itself starts at 6pm at the University’s Audimax auditorium. It’s free to attend, and no registration required, with an after party being held at betahaus from 8.30pm.
So forget all-night study sessions, baked beans on toast and pints of dodgy cider, it could well be time for students to make a name for themselves in startups.