TINC Spring 2019 - Getting Connected in Silicon Valley
By Ingrid Odlen, Junior Fellow Wallenberg Foundation, Vinnova Silicon Valley
Deep dive into Silicon Valley
Just being able to meet both relevant investors and customers quite quickly has been a highlight for us. We are benefiting from how connected the Nordic Innovation House is in the area and how responsive the ecosystem is.
– Martin, Founder and CEO of Aivero
We are kicking off the last week of TINC Spring 2019 Accelerator Program at Nordic Innovation House-Silicon Valley and the participating companies are in full swing. They have had the chance to meet potential partners, deepen their understanding of their customers, and dig into the mindset of investors.
Below you can read some of the main takeaways and experiences from three of our TINC participants. If you get inspired and feel that this is a program for your Nordic startup, the applications for TINC Fall 2019 are open until the end of May.
Podmosphere
Theodor Lönnefelt (CMO), Venelin Kraev (COO), Varga Moshtagh (CEO)
Podmosphere is an online market platform for advertisers and podcast creators enabling podcast influencer power. Our mission is to promote market funding for citizen journalism in order for democracy to flourish, and thus bring the power back to the podcaster.
Describe the first week in three words
Exciting. Inspiring. Educational.
The most valuable input you have gotten so far
The most valuable input we’ve gotten so far is through potential customers that TINC has introduced us to, such as Stitch Fix. The results from that introduction led to better understanding of our customer buyer journey and our value proposition.
The highlights from the first three weeks
The most valuable highlights were the workshops with Julie Hanna. They really helped us think through different angles and viewpoints as well as gave us concrete and actionable advice.
Advice to companies thinking about applying to TINC
We think that companies applying to TINC should start ahead of time to book meetings before getting here, allowing them to meet with key persons during the first week. In that way, they’ll have time to follow up with the most valuable players.
Aivero
Martin Svangtun (CEO)
Aivero is a depth video transmission company enabling compression of volumetric data. We are developing horizontal technology that addresses the bandwidth demands of depth cameras.
Describe the first week in three words
Welcoming. Busy. Engaging.
The most valuable input you have gotten so far
Insights into how we can improve our approach to potential customers and investors, being better at presenting who we are/what we do, and communicating it uniquely depending on who we meet.
The highlights from the first three weeks
There have been numerous engaging workshops and pitch sessions with a high level of interaction. Just being able to meet both relevant investors and customers quite quickly has been a highlight for us. We are benefiting from how connected the Nordic Innovation House is in the area and how responsive the ecosystem is.
Advice to companies thinking about applying to TINC
Our advice would be to come as a team, to get the most out of the TINC experience. It is also important to plan who’s relevant to meet. Try to also think about at what time TINC would be the most valuable for your company.
TenkLabs
Gustav Tresselt (CEO), Tom Hiis Bergh (CMO)
TenkLabs is building a virtual workspace to transform professional 3D design. Using virtual reality enables us to give professional designers a tool 6-10 times faster than our competitors.
Describe the first week in three words
Intense. Exciting. Educational.
The most valuable input you have gotten so far
We have learned a lot during these first three weeks, such as how investors relate to us, working with the pitch deck and which investors to look for. We have reached a whole new level of understanding the funding process and how investors see us.
The highlights from the first three weeks
All lectures have been extremely useful, especially Sambuccis workshop. The mentor meetings have been very valuable, despite the sometimes brutally honest feedback, which is helpful. We were also thrilled about the ease of getting meetings with big partners.
Advice to companies thinking about applying to TINC
Don’t expect the Swedes to talk to you in Swedish. Jokes aside, just apply! See it as an investment in your company. It will give you access to so much value.