The Nest Facilitates Global Dialogue on Startup Growth Challenges with Experts from The University of Basel
Starting a business feels a bit like setting off on a road trip down a seriously bumpy road. You’re all hyped up, ready to explore new horizons and take on the world, only to hit those unexpected bumps that shake up your journey, like when your car’s engine decides to take a break.
You’re there, frustrated, fixing up the engine just to hit another pothole. It gets to a point where you’re like, “Did anyone warn me about this?” Nope, they didn’t. But hey, that’s the startup life for you.
You start out all excited, eager to share your ideas with the world, only to realize you’ve got a mountain of challenges ahead. There’s the fierce competition, tech that changes faster than you can say “startup,” economic rollercoasters, and don’t forget those strict regulations too.
Success means being quick on your feet, making the most out of what you’ve got, and really understanding your market. But even then, you’re still scrambling to find the right team, scrape together enough funds, and convince investors that you’re worth their time and money.
We recognize these common struggles and that’s why we recently hosted an insightful event titled “The Hacks and Hurdles of Growth.” Held on February 29, 2024, this event featured experts from The University of Basel, offering practical advice and strategies for overcoming Startup challenges and obstacles.
We brought together a diverse array of Industry leaders, founders, and startup enthusiasts, all converging to delve into the challenges of fostering growth in the start-up entrepreneurial ecosystem.
Mr. Oluwajoba Oloba, co-founder of The Nest, spoke to us and emphasized on the important role of African innovation in addressing global challenges, and also The Nest’s commitment to crafting solutions from Africa for the world through growing a dynamic community of founders, entrepreneurs, and industry leaders.
The highlight of this event was the insightful panel session featuring Prof Simone Stürwald, Prof. Sunday Adebisi, Mr Stephan Hofer (MLaw), Ms Karen Eksteen (CEO Innocircle) and Mr Erich Thaler from The University of Basel. They delved into topics ranging from navigating startup encounters to accessing international investors, the panelists also offered invaluable pieces of advice garnered from their wealth of experience.
They’ve been there, done that, and now they’re sharing their secrets with us.
They stressed the importance of tapping into local networks and communities, with active participation and networking in attracting global investment.— because, let’s face it, sometimes it’s not just about what you know but who you know. You get it.
And then there’s The University of Basel, stepping up big time with their support for startups. They have emerged as an influence for knowledge-based innovation, offering transformative entrepreneurial courses and opportunities to startups. The University equips founders with the tools and resources needed to navigate the journey from idea to startup success.
After the discussions, we got to check out The Nest’s Hub, where all the magic happens. Founders and entrepreneurs that use our Workspace seized the opportunity to engage with the visiting professionals, exchanging ideas and seeking personalized guidance for themselves.
And to cap it all off, we had a delightful buffet dinner, because nothing brings people together like good food and great conversation, right? We had a relaxed setting for further discussion and networking among those who attended.
Leaving that event, we weren’t just loaded up with new-found knowledge — we were fired up, ready to tackle whatever hurdles came our way. Because when we come together as a community, there’s really nothing we can’t achieve.
Join us for future events as we continue to connect, learn, and grow together. You can also reach out today to explore partnership opportunities and together, let’s build a dynamic global platform for exchanging knowledge, sharing resources, and building the next wave of impactful ventures.
