Slush, Startup Sauna and Junction – well-known and highly-valued brands in the world of startups, software developers and innovations – have joined forces and travel the Europe together giving participants a real chance for international development. Their Hack Tour will be held on September 13 in O4 co-working in Olivia Business Centre in Gdańsk. It is a great opportunity for startups to develop their projects and for software developers, who want to take up another programming challenge.

The representatives of one of world’s best startup ecosystem from Finland, together with startup environment from northern Poland: O4, Black Pearls VC, Startup Poland, startup Gdynia zone, Project Startup, 3camp, Olcamp, Netcamp, and Exea Smart Space are working on the third edition of the event, which can change the lives of many startuppers and software developers – Hack Tour. Two previous editions in Gdańsk were a great success, which, according to Startup Sauna’s representatives, is measured by the level of integration and cooperation of local community of innovators.

– It is still being discussed where the best climate for startups is, if we measure it with the size of the investment. In Nordic countries there live only 3 % of Europeans, but they generate investments of 50 billion euros. We think that two main keys are cooperation and synergy. Joint visit of three most important Finnish startup initiatives will be a classical demonstration of how we, in Finland, understand building a community – says Jan Bubieńczyk from Startup Sauna.

– In O4 we greatly appreciate the visit of our Finnish friends. This event doesn’t only perfectly summarise the current state of local startup sphere, but also integrates our whole environment in a positive way. What is more, it is good to see yourself through someone else’s eyes; I’m saying it both from the perspective of the whole community, but also particular, presented innovations. Hack Tour is like Olympic Games, in which participation is already a victory itself. It is so thanks to, among other things, a direct and honest conversation with people, who have practically unlimited possibilities to support an idea, or even to help conquer a global market – highlights Marta Moksa, Managing Director O4, co-organiser of Hack Tour 2017.

Startups: international investors at your fingertips

A unique opportunity for startups which participate in HACK TOUR EUROPE – a chance to present themselves in front of international and Polish investors. Among this year’s mentors there will be Pontus Stråhlman – a member of FiBAN management board, an extremely buoyant organisation, which consociates Nordic investors, Peter Horsten – a founder and CEO of Goyello, Izabela Disterheft – CEO of INTERIZON, Józef Balicki – manager, advisor with many years of experience in the scope of capital investments, Matti Kari and Jarmo Kuusivuori – experienced entrepreneurs and investors. Top 15 startups will present their ideas in front of mentors and will receive a reliable feedback. Top 5 startups will conduct an individual conversation with every mentor. Additionally, they will have a chance to win tickets for SLUSH conference and the author of the best presentation will have an opportunity to spend 7 weeks in Startup Sauna in Helsinki. This leading accelerator of Northern Europe was set up to, among other things, actively support startups in developing their optimal business models (it implements, for example, an intensive “go-to-market-strategy” programme) So far, it has helped more than 220 young entrepreneurs, who managed to get financial help amounting to 200 million dollars.

– We observe a constant development of our local ecosystem of innovations. Many of our entrepreneurs are already ready to try to face the world. We believe that direct meeting with the representatives of one of the best international accelerators will be the next step towards success. We are glad that they don’t have to go to Berlin or London, but they can just go to Gdańsk, which is less than two hours away from us – comments Paweł Harajda from OLCAMP Association in Olsztyn.

Junction for software developers

During the Hack Tour, software developers will have a chance to participate in workshops conducted by Junction – an organiser of one of the biggest hackathons in the world. Participants will try to take up a challenge of one of local ICT companies. This year’s Junction is not only a chance to promote themselves in the environment of employers, but also a chance to win an invitation to a hackathon in Helsinki, which will be held in November.

– Tricity environment of software developers has another chance to prove that we really are among world leaders. Our engineers and IT specialists create a harmonious and active environment and Junction can be an interesting lesson and another experience for them. I believe that the more opportunities to learn and take up challenges creatively, the better it is for participants and companies, in which they work – adds Krzysztof Moszyk from 3camp.

Hack Tour will start on the September 13 at 4:00 pm in O4 co-working in Olivia Business Centre. The event will be held in English.

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Event’s schedule:
http://startupsauna.com/local-event/gdansk-poland

Registration till September 6 on:
https://slush.typeform.com/to/zO6zDk
.

Additional information is available at local Hack Tour Europe’s partner’s place in O4 co-working: Marta Moksa, marta.moksa@oliviacentre.com

YOU ARE MORE THAN WELCOME!