Many of the world’s most promising technology startups will gather at the Web Summit. If you are planning on exhibiting at the event, here are some tips on how to get your company to stand out.
1. Participate at the pitching contest.
Joining the pitching contest is a great way to promote your startup, practice your pitch in front of a live audience and get discovered. Much like the Eurobasket, Web Summit has qualifying rounds where startups compete with each other and the top ones from each group advance to the final stage. Who is going to get crowned as the next champion? It remains to be seen but here is a good article by USA Today on making the perfect pitch to help you as you are polishing your pitch.
Joining the pitching contest is a great way to promote your startup, practice your pitch in front of a live audience and get discovered. Much like the Eurobasket, Web Summit has qualifying rounds where startups compete with each other and the top ones from each group advance to the final stage. Who is going to get crowned as the next champion? It remains to be seen but here is a good article by USA Today on making the perfect pitch to help you as you are polishing your pitch.
Pitching contest underway on one of the stages at Web Summit.
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4. Have a catchy stand to capture interest.
Most startups will have one day to exhibit on a small stand. Make the best of it. Horizon, a mobile app which let’s you record videos always in horizontal mode, had an eye-catching stand at Web Summit 2014. In order to demonstrate the capabilities of their app, the Horizon folks recorded live video from a rotating tablet and projected the video in real-time through the monitor that you see in the photos below.
Most startups will have one day to exhibit on a small stand. Make the best of it. Horizon, a mobile app which let’s you record videos always in horizontal mode, had an eye-catching stand at Web Summit 2014. In order to demonstrate the capabilities of their app, the Horizon folks recorded live video from a rotating tablet and projected the video in real-time through the monitor that you see in the photos below.
2. Speak on stage or participate at panel.
Through the People’s Panels and People’s Stage you have the opportunity to speak, participate in a panel or moderate a panel on a topic that you desire. In order to qualify, however, you have to do some work such as leveraging your own network to vote for you and ensure that your proposed topic gets voted within top 50. The higher you rank, the more perks you get. For example, if you get voted within the Top 10, you get an extra ticket to the Web Summit for free. Here is a blog post by Web Summit which has more information on this. (UPDATE: This was something that Web Summit tried for their 2014 conference.)
3. Walk the floor on the first day to get acquainted with the event.
If you are an exhibiting startup, I would recommend that you use the first day to explore the event and walk the floor to get acquainted. There are a ton of things going on throughout the day and it can get overwhelming. Get organized in advance so you don’t waste time while you are at the event.
Through the People’s Panels and People’s Stage you have the opportunity to speak, participate in a panel or moderate a panel on a topic that you desire. In order to qualify, however, you have to do some work such as leveraging your own network to vote for you and ensure that your proposed topic gets voted within top 50. The higher you rank, the more perks you get. For example, if you get voted within the Top 10, you get an extra ticket to the Web Summit for free. Here is a blog post by Web Summit which has more information on this. (UPDATE: This was something that Web Summit tried for their 2014 conference.)
3. Walk the floor on the first day to get acquainted with the event.
If you are an exhibiting startup, I would recommend that you use the first day to explore the event and walk the floor to get acquainted. There are a ton of things going on throughout the day and it can get overwhelming. Get organized in advance so you don’t waste time while you are at the event.
Inside the Press Room at Web Summit 2014.
5. Have your PR strategy ready prior to the event.
While there are a ton of media and members of the press present at the event, I highly recommend that you find out who is attending and get in touch with them prior to the show to arrange a meeting. Check out any media from your countries as they will likely cover the local companies that are participating at the show. Also, be on the lookout for media doing on-the spot interviews at the exhibit floor. You never know when you’ll have the opportunity to be interviewed by a TV crew. Be ready.
While there are a ton of media and members of the press present at the event, I highly recommend that you find out who is attending and get in touch with them prior to the show to arrange a meeting. Check out any media from your countries as they will likely cover the local companies that are participating at the show. Also, be on the lookout for media doing on-the spot interviews at the exhibit floor. You never know when you’ll have the opportunity to be interviewed by a TV crew. Be ready.
6. Begin networking before the show.
The Web Summit is a global gathering of investors, business people, media and potential partners. Set goals, have a strategy in place of what you want to get out of it and make the most of the event. Most important, have fun!
Need help with marketing your technology startup? Contact us to learn how Marketing For Tech can help.
The Web Summit is a global gathering of investors, business people, media and potential partners. Set goals, have a strategy in place of what you want to get out of it and make the most of the event. Most important, have fun!
Need help with marketing your technology startup? Contact us to learn how Marketing For Tech can help.