About us
The Startup Traction & Funding Network brings together aspiring and experienced tech entrepreneurs to discuss, meet, and collaborate to build great new startups, and to push the local startup ecosystem forward.
This group hosts numerous free events throughout the year where you can learn the best practices of starting a company from people who have been there and done that. You’ll have the opportunity to meet local founders and investors, exchange ideas with experts, get feedback on your idea, participate in startup workshops, and more.
Typical startup event topics include:
• Refining your startup idea
• Startup legal basics
• How to pitch your startup
• How to launch a global company
• How to raise funding for your startup
• And much more!
Join the group to be invited to our next event!
For information about the investors, incubators, and tech events available, see our list of Startup Resources (https://fi.co/startup_resources). Interested in perfecting your pitch? Read our Pitch Deck Guide (https://fi.co/pitch_deck) and download templates.
Upcoming events
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How to Transform Your Region into a Hub for Cross-Border Entrepreneurship
·OnlineOnlineOne of the greatest challenges facing entrepreneurs is the silos our ecosystems naturally create when supporting local interests. Here, we'll explore how cross-border collaboration serves not only the interests of founders, but also investors who need access and connection to that which matters most to their needs. This event will focus on creating actionable pathways for economic development through global entrepreneurship. We will explore the concept of cross-border innovation ecosystems, using the strategic triangle between Germany, Japan, and Cyprus as a case study.
Discover how regional strengths can be leveraged to boost global partnerships, attract capital, and foster talent retention. Attendees will gain a clear understanding of how to help their regions create environments that facilitate innovation and attract investment, benefiting both local economies and international collaboration.
❯ What You'll Learn:
- Strategies for fostering innovation across borders and leveraging the Japan-Europe corridor.
- Moving beyond physical spaces to focus on talent development and measurable economic outcomes.
❯ Featured Experts:
- Richard Mort - Japan-Europe Ecosystem Strategist: Richard is a strategic intelligence consultant and Japan-Europe business connector based in Düsseldorf, Germany's "Little Tokyo." With 20 years living in Japan and fluency in Japanese, German, French, and English, he specialises in bridging European and Asian ecosystems through event mapping, stakeholder matching, and market entry strategy. His comprehensive mapping of Web Summit 2024 - covering 1,131 stakeholders and 2,200+ startups - generated over 34,000 views and earned recognition from major corporations including SoftBank. Richard works with Japanese city governments, trade delegations, and European companies seeking Asia market access, operating under "The Human API" brand.
- Alberto Martellini - Managing Director @ Funder Advisor: Alberto is an Entrepreneurship Director bridging corporate innovation with high-growth ventures across fintech, energy, mobility, and traveltech. With 20+ years of corporate leadership experience? including leading $20B+ B2B product portfolios at American Express. He specializes in go-to-market strategy, commercialization, and strategic financing. As an Innovation Partner with FI, he works with governments and universities to design and manage accelerator programs focused on economic development and capacity building. He brings deep expertise in fundraising, mentor network development, institutional partnerships, and navigating regulatory and investment frameworks.
- Paul O'Brien - Head of Public Affairs @ Founder Institute: A startup economist and ecosystem strategist with 25 years in venture capital, public policy, and economic development. As Head of Public Affairs at the Founder Institute and Managing Partner of Startup Economist, he helps governments, investors, and civic leaders build stronger startup ecosystems that drive real economic growth.
❯❯ This is a live, interactive online event, so be sure to RSVP at https://fi.co/startupwebinar/22629 to receive the Zoom URL to join us live!
1 attendee
How to Adopt an Entrepreneurial Mindset
·OnlineOnlineAre you still waiting for the "right time" to start your startup? Join Jonathan Greechan, Co-Founder & CEO of the Founder Institute, for a live online event designed to help aspiring founders overcome hesitation and take immediate action on their startup ambitions. In this practical, mindset-focused session, you'll uncover the four mental excuses that kill momentum, learn why they feel so convincing, and discover how successful entrepreneurs shift from avoidance to action. You'll leave with the confidence, clarity, and tools to start your startup, plus a networking session to put your mindset into action.
❯❯ RSVP now at 👉 https://fi.co/startupwebinar/21514 to get your link and join us live!
❯ What You'll Learn:
- How to move from hesitation to action and stop waiting for the "perfect time"
- The 4 core mental barriers that keep you stuck in the startup journey
- The key mindset shifts from “It’s not my fault” to “What can I do differently?”
- How to train your mind to embrace progress and overcome excuses with clarity and confidence
- Practical exercises to leave the event feeling empowered and ready to take the next step
❯ Featured Speaker:
- Jonathan Greechan - Co-Founder & CEO at Founder Institute: Since 2009, Jonathan has grown and scaled the world's largest pre-seed accelerator to chapters in over 200 cities and 100 countries, producing over 8,900 portfolio companies with an estimated value of $2BN. He also serves as an Advisor to Oxford Entrepreneurs (Oxford University), Horasis, and the USC Incubator (University of Southern California). Previously, Jonathan was a Partner of TheFunded.com, the first website for founders to rate and review venture capitalists, and an Executive Producer of the Founder Showcase. This leading Silicon Valley startup conference hosted speakers like Elon Musk. Jonathan’s writing has been featured in Fortune, TechCrunch, and Entrepreneur Magazine, and he has spoken at startup conferences on four continents.
❯ Who Should Attend:
- Aspiring entrepreneurs who want to understand how founders approach challenges and opportunities.
- Corporate innovators and intrapreneurs interested in applying startup methodologies to accelerate growth.
- Anyone curious about entrepreneurship and how to bring a “startup mindset” into their everyday work and decision-making.
- Early stage founders eager to learn from Silicon Valley insights and global startup best practices.
❯❯ Don’t miss this live, interactive online event packed with valuable insights! RSVP now at 👉 https://fi.co/startupwebinar/21514 to get your link and join us live!
3 attendees
Growing Innovation Districts through Regional & Private Partnerships
·OnlineOnlineInnovation districts thrive when they are not isolated but instead connected to broader networks. By leveraging regional and private partnerships, these districts can tap into global talent, investors, and mentors, accelerating growth and fostering innovation. Using Penn West as a successful example, this session will demonstrate how collaboration between local governments and private enterprises can create vibrant ecosystems that attract resources from beyond local boundaries. Learn how these strategic partnerships can transform innovation districts into dynamic hubs for startup success and economic growth.
❯ What You'll Learn:
- Learn how local governments and private companies can work together effectively.
- Understand how connecting with global networks can drive growth and innovation.
- Discover how partnerships can create long-term economic success for innovation districts.
❯❯ RSVP now at 👉 https://fi.co/startupwebinar/22895 to get your link and join us live!
❯ Featured Experts:
- Paul O'Brien - Head of Public Affairs @ Founder Institute: a startup economist and ecosystem strategist with 25 years in venture capital, public policy, and economic development.
- Elizabeth Packer - Director of Economic Development @ Golden Triangle: an urban planner and economic development strategist with more than a decade of experience advancing entrepreneurship, investment, and community revitalization.
- Guc Ozenci - Innovation Partner at Founder Institute: Managing Director of Founder Institute in Washington DC, Maryland, and Virginia, where he has built a portfolio of over 40 early-stage companies.
- Adam Lattimore - Director of Technology and Innovation at the Office of the Deputy Mayor for Planning and Economic Development: an experienced leader with over 10 years in the nonprofit and government sectors.
❯ Who Should Attend?
If you work in economic development, government, or civic leadership, this is not another “innovation showcase.” It’s a reckoning with what your region needs to stop doing, and what you must do next, if you want your founders to thrive and your city to serve and attract venture capital to close the gap on the challenges entrepreneurs there have finding it.❯❯ Don’t miss this live, interactive online event packed with valuable insights! RSVP now at 👉 https://fi.co/startupwebinar/22895 to get your link and join us live!
1 attendee
Past events
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