01 Oct Hot Early Autumn Nordic/Baltic Tech News, Events and Opportunities
Hello and Welcome to our early Autumn newsletter! As Q3 comes to an end, and the sun fades for those of us in Northern Europe, we are shining light on all the great things happening in the tech scene, for our team – and our community, across the Nordics and Baltics.
Community is the keyword here – 2020 has been one of the biggest challenges ever for a lot of businesses and people, but through support, collaborations, new friendships and by experimenting in new ways, positive things have – and continue to happen. We have spent a lot of time in recent months supporting startups that have run into COVID-related challenges. We want to help further. So that we can provide the best possible support, please ….
HELP US – TO HELP YOU…
Please take 3 minutes to let us know what your key challenges are and what help you need, so we can offer the best help – click here to answer 5 super quick questions.
The first 100 responses will enter a draw to win 5 FREE TNA SOLO Annual memberships worth €300 each – worth having! So help us to help you!
Startups, scaleups/the ecosystem in Denmark can obtain direct help through our Startup Ecosystem COVID-19 Resource Hub – our digital one-stop-shop, offering advice, access to investors, mentors, partners and resources . Get in touch via the link (see ‘How Can We Support You’) – no problem is too small or too big… get in touch and we will help you at no cost! How’s that for an offer?
COVID to one side, we’re excited to see what Q4 brings. So, let’s dive in…
SOME NEWS ABOUT US…
September has been a busy month for our team and our members. From the comfort of our sofas, or in real life (remember those kind of events? ?) – we have been moderating panels, hosting talks, giving interviews, matchmaking startups with investors, and creating new collaborations with government bodies, to try to build solutions for a better and more inclusive (tech) world.
Highlights From The Main Events…
Our own TNA, Tech London Advocates (TLA) and Global Tech Advocates (GTA) Founders were in action at Tech BBQ, as Jeanette Carlsson and Russ Shaw hosted two great discussions during the online conference, based out of Copenhagen. Jeanette’s panel featured Finn Bech Andersen from Precure, a startup who have received expert guidance, which has helped Precure successfully navigate the challenges of the COVID crisis, and by Max Traeger, who was joined by Nikolaj Juhl Hansen from Magnusson, both mentors on our Startup Ecosystem COVID-19 Resource support hub.
Russ held an investor focussed fireside chat with Lakestar’s Stephen Nundy, where they discussed the current investment scene, tech trends, and how things may pan-out next year, post-covid.
Our first ever “hybrid” event took place both in-person, and online, as we brought together Danish and Canadian fintech startups, partners, and investors at an oversubscribed event at the Embassy of Canada to Denmark, in Copenhagen with the Canadians joining by video-link. Feedback score: 4.4⭐️out of 5 – delighted that everyone enjoyed it so much, have linked up with their ‘matches’, got new contacts, leads, and “To-Do’s” – including new projects for improving access to risk capital for female founders. Stay tuned for more of the same in other capitals – and action to up the score to 5:5!
What Have Our Board Been Involved With in September…
Our Chair, Stine Bosse, continues to work “hands-on” with early stage startups, recently joining and investing in Danish startup “Hjælp Til Pårørende“. Their App helps the relatives of those who are mentally ill, to manage their own well-being, as they take care of their loved one. Stine is also playing a key role in supporting our work to improve entrepreneurship and access to risk capital for women (in tech). Stay tuned for more news on this topic.
Hazel Moore, our London/Silicon Valley based investor, Chair of First Capital and Board Member, spoke at the London AI Summit on the topic of “From Start-up, to Scale-up, to Market Domination: an Investor’s Perspective”. We’re proud to have Hazel out there flying the flag for us, and Nordic/Baltic tech, startups and scaleups, in addition to her many other hats.
Susanne Hannestad, our Board Member for Norway, was moderator of a panel discussion at Copenhagen FinTech Week. Her event was all about “How does transformation in FinTech and Corporates look ‘before’ – versus – ‘during’ the pandemic, and how does it look beyond it?”
In The Press… ??
We were featured in Berlingske (in Danish), highlighting our work supporting the Danish Startup Community during the corona crisis through our Startup Ecosystem COVID-19 Resource Hub, in partnership with the Danish Industry Foundation , Copenhagen City Council. the Danish Growth Fund, leading universities including DTU Compute and private sector partners including DELL, Magnusson Law, Kreab Communications and more. Read the article here.
? We’re now legally Finnish too… ??
It’s official ?- TNA is now officially registered in Finland – and as such a Finnish org under Tech Nordic Advocates! Our home is Maria 01, in Helsinki. Huge thanks, once again, to our business member and legal partner Magnusson Law for all their brilliant help to get us officially landed on the ground in Finland. Also huge thanks to all the Finnish startup ecosystem players including Helsinki Business Hub, Business Finland, NewCo Helsinki and of course Maria 0-1 for all your support and collaboration. Looking forward to much more to come, as we ramp up our activities and impact in the Finnish startup ecosystem.
Stay tuned for more news as we set up formally across the region.
NEED HELP? HERE’S SOME OF OUR SERVICES…
? Fundraising? Did you know that we offer a Startup/Investor Scouting Programme, connecting fundraising startups/scaleups with suitable investors from our network for a % finders fee? Right now, we’re working on rounds for PropTech, TravelTech and FoodTech companies. If you’re a startup/scaleup raising funds, get in touch here OR if you are an investor looking for deal flow, please contact us.
? Need Expert Mentoring? Did you know that we offer a global mentoring programme matching our members with mentors across the globe from our Global Tech Advocates network, spanning 16 tech hubs globally? Join today (Solo membership or Business Membership) and get access to top quality mentors across all continents, who can help accelerate your growth.
FOODTECH OPPORTUNITY…
Nordic Innovation House in Japan are helping to attract Nordic FoodTech companies to apply to the new Accelerator by Scrum Ventures. Food Tech Studio– Bites! looks to attract founders who are mission-driven and sustainability-focused and can benefit from access to Scrum Ventures’ strong network and global expertise. Learn more and apply here.
LATEST MEMBER NEWS…
Did you know about Magnusson’s Technology Practice in Finland – led by Ville Salonen?
Best known for:
specialization in advising innovative technology start-ups and major ICT service providers on service contracting and transactions, employment matters, and supporting its corporate customers in contracting issues and technology-related disputes; and excellence – especially in M&A transactions targeting or involving technology companies, technology licensing agreements, and outsourcing arrangements.
Recent examples of their work include: Advising, drafting and negotiation on a broad range of technology related matters, agreements, transactions and acquisitions including IT Due Diligence.
Contact them for more info.
The 4ire Labs team keeps scaling in the Nordics and establishing new networks and partnerships. The company now is an official integrator of the Swedish blockchain Chromia and also supports the integration of NEARProtocol.
Recently, their client – blockchain-based platform, Green Asset Wallet, was selected for the Mastercard MASSIV program gathering leaders of the Nordics and Baltics. It’s a great opportunity for them to contribute to the Green Debt market development, and bring innovations to the FinTech world.
They are always striving to provide more innovative solutions for the Nordic FinTech ecosystem. Reach out to them here.
UPCOMING (ONLINE) EVENTS…
Our partner DELL, have their next DWEN Event on October 15th, featuring superstar Tennis player Venus Williams. Join Dell Women’s Entrepreneur Network online from anywhere to hear stories of resilience, inspiration, determination, and strength.
This year, SFF returns on 7-11 December with a unique hybrid format combining a 24-hour online event platform and over 40 physical events in FinTech hubs around the world. In December, SFF will unite the global FinTech community to discuss key global challenges, with a focus on post-pandemic recovery. Tech Nordic Advocates and Tech Singapore Advocates are partners. Learn more and get your ticket here.
New events are being added every week. Keep track of all our events on the TNA website – here
NORDIC TECH NEWS…THAT WE LOVE
Aside from the big news that Spotify founder, Daniel Ek has committed to invest 1 Billion Euros of his own money in European startups over the next decade, we are also excited to see some truly revolutionary tech come out of the west coast of Sweden, in shape of Electronic Planes ?. Gothenburg based, Heart Aerospace, recently revealed their Electronic Drive-Train and Battery technology, which puts them on course for a 2025 take-off, on national routes. Read more here.
GLOBAL TECH ADVOCATES (GTA) NEWS
We are excited to see the launch of our latest family member – Tech Netherlands Advocates. Founded by the amazing Esther O’Callaghan OBE, and based in Rotterdam. It’s going to be exciting to see all the new collaborations coming out of the Netherlands next year.
The “School of Thought” webinar series in partnership with HP, continues with events today – September 30th, and on October 7th on the topics of “Championing Digital Experiences in Retail, Manufacturing and Sports” and “Transforming Practices Towards Sustainability and Circular Economy” – Full details and sign up options can be found here.