I was on the bus to Berlin to attend one of the flagship events of the local startup scene: Startup Safary. It was the 8th edition, which shows that this model has managed to convince and federate. Today its objective, like many others, is to export its model to other German cities or even beyond borders. Before going there, I wanted to know more about its origin, its model, and its goals. So I interviewed Maciek Laskus, creator and CEO of Startup Safary.
How do you define Startup Safary?
Startup Safary is an event designed to help people integrate into the startup ecosystem where the event takes place, for example here in Berlin.
The best definition would probably be to say that it is an “open house day” for this ecosystem. All the players involved – startups, investors, accelerators or incubators, coworking spaces, etc. – open their doors to participants and prepare a presentation on what they do and who they are.
How long has it existed and how was it created?
The first edition took place in 2013 when I arrived in Berlin and was having trouble integrating into this startup ecosystem.
How does it differ from the many other events?
Most other events, like conferences or meetups, are essentially there for networking. Startup Safary solves the main problem: “it is difficult to enter this sacred startup ecosystem”. Additionally, this event takes place all over the city. The audience goes to the participating partners, visits their offices and exchanges with them. Finally, partners talk about themselves, about what they do. We encourage them to center their presentation on their company because that is what our participants want to discover most.
It’s the 8th edition: so we can say that Startup Safary has managed to establish itself in Berlin among so many other events. What is the main key to success?
We solve one of the main problems our participants face, and we solve it well.
And what difficulties have you encountered since its launch?
The beginning was difficult because we were creating a completely new event.
At first, because the concept was new, we had trouble explaining to people what we wanted to create. But once we managed to get everything in place, it was a real success. More than 1,000 people participated in the first edition. However, we discovered a new challenge: how to generate money with all of this? It took us a long time to solve it.
What are your goals for the future of Startup Safary?
We are happy to see how this event benefits the communities of the cities where it takes place, here in Berlin or elsewhere. With our experience, we want to develop it in other cities around the world and thus bring its benefits to other communities.
Today Startup Safary is trying to export itself: what are the other cities where this event is organized?
For the moment, Startup Safary is organized in 11 cities across the world. We started in Berlin and today you will find it, for example, in Budapest, Athens or Cairo.
Where would you like to see the next Startup Safary born?
In all cities with great startup ecosystems such as Tel Aviv, London, Paris, Barcelona and others.
What should someone do if they want to launch their edition of Startup Safary in their city?
Just contact us. We have a franchise, so everyone is free to launch their Startup Safary in their city with our support.
And how was this edition of Startup Safary?
Berlin is an extraordinary city. First of all, the divide between East and West has not yet been completely healed. The German capital remains under constant construction and yet there are still so many unoccupied spaces to make an entrepreneur dream. This dynamic is palpable. You feel as soon as you arrive that things are happening and we look forward to exploring them. No doubt remains about the reason for the birth of Startup Safary when you realize how spread out this city is and that different initiatives and startups are sometimes hidden behind still-dilapidated facades or inside old hangars. You need a guide!
Thanks to Maciek Laskus for this interview.
Report on the event: Day 1
The first morning, everything started with a breakfast organized in a cafe/coworking space of one of the event’s main partners: Telefónica Basecamp. Maciek, the CEO of Startup Safary, explained to us that he originally created this event for himself, because he had trouble really entering the startup ecosystem. Let’s see how I will manage, speaking almost no German!
With coffee, croissants, and the wait for the upcoming presentations, we quickly started chatting with our neighbors. There were French, English, Scots and obviously many Germans. But there was also a large group of South Koreans who came to present their innovation center KIC Europe as well as their main startups currently looking to establish themselves on the European market. The morning went by very quickly and it was already time to head to the next appointment.
On the other side of the city, at the end of a courtyard, is one of the startups whose rapid development brings to mind another Berlin giant Zalando, which participated in Startup Safary in its early days. This time it is about ready-to-wear: Lesara. Its CEO presented their business model, as well as the impressive logistics behind their fashion e-commerce site, finishing with their incredible numbers for such a young startup. In my opinion, it lacked a vision of sustainable and responsible development, but to each their own taste in business.
The first day ended for me in an impressive hub-coworking space, the largest I have ever seen and yet extraordinarily cool: Mind Space. After a series of about fifteen pitches, it was time for an aperitif with good German beer. After these few events, we began to recognize people we had already seen at other presentations. Tongues were loosened easily and we discussed business, crazy ideas and plans for the second day.
Day 2
Good news, we started with a breakfast organized by the new bank from Finland – Holvi. We talked FinTech and especially about new solutions for entrepreneurs and startups, upcoming banking sector evolutions and problems that remain to be solved. The solutions proposed by Holvi or Rietumu Banka will surely make their way to France soon. Can’t wait!
No time for a lunch break, so we grabbed a small ham and cheese pretzel at the S-Bahn station to get to ElectroCouture as quickly as possible. This workshop brings together some of the most innovative fashion designers. Berlin is the Mecca of FashionTech. Here, you won’t find French or Italian conservatism; fashion is a playground where 3D printers, laser cutting, LEDs and all sorts of innovative materials are used. The latest recruit at the workshop is even working on the use of algae and mushrooms to replace leather or certain types of textiles. Inspiring!
But no time to linger because at the other end of the city, the presentation of Companisto was about to begin. One of the many crowdfunding platforms experiencing great success with investors and startups. Their premises are located on the top floor of a former factory converted into offices. Under the eaves with exposed beams, a team of about twenty people worked behind their computers and a group of about thirty people tried to find a makeshift seat to participate in the presentation. Everyone came with a specific objective; there were those just starting out and coming to learn about the possibilities offered by such a crowdfunding platform, but also potential investors, as well as those wishing to find a job at Companisto or simply curious people like me.
The last presentation of the day was at BMP, a venture capital fund – those famous VCs. Thanks to this very complete presentation and the testimony of one of the entrepreneurs benefiting from their funds, I was able to discover some best practices for approaching a VC and preparing a fundraising round. Practical.
“I was able to discover some best practices for approaching a VC and preparing a fundraising round”
After the presentation, which ended after dark, I was eager to meet my friends who live in Berlin and work with startups for a dinner and a debrief of this event that was ending for me.
In fact, I had another desire: to launch Startup Safary in Paris. The first edition is scheduled for March 16-17, 2017. You are all welcome! And if you want to organize it in your city, don’t hesitate.
