The London Startup Scene. 29 Jan 2024
BrewDog at Chancery Lane
1 Plough Pl, London, EC4A 1BG
The more you have, the more you fear losing it.
Monday, RareFounders - The London Startup Scene hosted its first open mic #pitching and #networking event of the year.
Since launching nearly a year ago, I've hosted over 10 events, each drawing an average of 250 attendees. But nothing is guaranteed, and I've come to realize the seasonality involved.
January was our first attempt at a post-New Year event, and Dry January's impact on attendance was a concern, as many opt out of alcohol-involved gatherings.
To say I was stressed is an understatement; the anxiety never fades. Each time, I worry no one will show up, and yet, they always do. I share this not for sympathy but to highlight the unseen challenges that many #founders face.
With the help from Luca Spiller Sikta Raushan Irgaliyeva Ibrahim Zeghzeghi, we've succeeded once more, offering a unique experience that justified all the nerves and effort.
We were thrilled to have James Roycroft-Davis from Baseline on stage, candidly discussing startup stress, founder mental health, depression, and bipolar disorder. His talk, met with utter silence, likely resonated deeply with the audience. What James described is unfortunately not rare among founders, who are 11x more likely to be on the bipolar spectrum. His honesty is invaluable, encouraging others to speak out, seek support, and understand that they're not alone.
The event continued with Maurice Sardison from Innovate UK and Cedric Van Duffel from Sure Valley Ventures pitching to founders, followed by 20 courageous founders doing the same.
Interestingly, our water guns remained unused, as everyone adhered to the 1-minute limit.
Looking forward to our next gathering on the 28th of February. Check the link in bio to join us.
