Founder and CEO at SquareCircle Global Founding Partner at SquareCircle Ventures Managing Director GCC at Founder Institute Co-Director at Startup Grind Dubai UAE
Agenda: Navigating Market Expansion: How to Enter New Geographies Without Losing Focus
Valentina Zakirova has been leading venture and private equity investments at SDG since 2018, successfully directing investments in prominent companies like Patreon, Flo, and Woebot. Prior to SDG, Valentina served as a senior analyst at the Netherlands-based fund Waarde Capital, gaining experience in both VC and PE investments through LBO transactions.
Valentina holds a Master’s degree in Finance and Economics from the London School of Economics and has completed a Venture Capital Program at Berkeley. She has also been recognized in the Forbes 30 Under 30 list for her achievements in the investment sector.
Asya is a Product & Growth Expert with over a decade of experience in FinTech and EdTech. Currently, she leads the product growth unit at Wise (ex Transferwise), driving growth through social features, virality, and referral programs. Previously, as the Head of Product at Yandex, the fifth-largest search engine globally, Asya led the development and scaling of three EdTech products from scratch. Asya has extensive experience in guiding startups, supported by her strong background in corporate finance and consulting at PwC.
Agenda: Exponential Growth Hacks: Supercharging Your Startup with WOM
In the competitive world of startups, terms like "viral growth" and "organic traction" are frequently tossed around. But how can you actually create that buzz for your product without breaking the bank? This session dives into the power of Word-of-Mouth (WoM) and recommendation loops as key drivers of brand awareness and sustainable growth.
Discover the importance of organic and product-led growth strategies for long-term success.
Growth Loop vs. Funnel: Learn how viewing growth as a loop, rather than a funnel, can transform your strategy and boost engagement.
Master the creation of recommendation loops that keep users engaged and actively recommending your product.
Explore different recommendation types: Understand altruistic, network, and paid recommendations to enhance growth.
Unlock the power of referral programs to drive exponential growth and user acquisition.
Get practical tips on building referral systems that turn users into loyal advocates.
Viachaslau Smirnou is a PR professional with 20 years of experience. As the CEO and Founder of Around PR Studio, he has led strategic communications and public relations campaigns for diverse clients.
Before founding Around PR Studio, Viachaslau served as PR Director at A1, a leading mobile operator, and headed PR departments for Coca-Cola and Prestigio. He also held the role of Marketing Director for IT brands Solvd and Syndicode, where he expanded their market reach and influence.
Agenda: Unlocking Investment: The Power of PR for Startups
Entrepreneurs often hear phrases like "this product is everywhere" or "it's getting a lot of buzz." But what does that really mean? How can you create a buzz around your product that gets investors eager to connect and discuss opportunities, all without breaking the bank?
What PR is and whether you need it right now (a bit of statistics: startups engaged in PR attracted +40% more investments)
How to prepare your company for the start of PR activities
How PR works and what to expect from publications in the media
Effective PR tools
Personal brand of the founder: what to do and why it is important
How to build good relationships with journalists for the benefit of the company
PR life hacks and services for convenient work with the media
Co-Founder at Stealth-mode Startup Ex-VC, Antler, Cavalry Ventures Germany
Yash Gadiya is a seasoned venture capitalist and entrepreneur with extensive experience in investment teams at top firms like Antler and Cavalry Ventures. He has played a pivotal role in guiding early-stage startups in sectors like AI, SaaS, and FinTech, helping them secure significant funding and achieve growth. Now, as the co-founder of a stealth-mode startup, Yash and his team are working in the FinTech space and are paving the way for individuals understand and file their taxes with more ease and convenience.
Agenda: PitchStorm Live: Crafting Decks that Close Deals
In this hands-on Live Pitch Deck Workshop, we’ll tear down and rebuild your pitch deck in real-time, focusing on what truly matters to investors. From story to metrics, we’ll fine-tune every slide to ensure your deck isn’t just good — it’s unbeatable. This is your chance to get practical, insider insights that turn pitches into deals. It's the kind of expertise that usually costs thousands!
Founding Partner, .Contriber Ventures Head of Accelerator Partnerships, Dealum Managing Partner, Buildit Accelerator Estonia
Aleksander Tõnnisson is a leading investor and mentor in the startup world. As the Founding Partner of .Contriber Ventures and Managing Partner at Buildit Hardware Accelerator & IoT Fund, he has supported over 100 startups in scaling their businesses.His true passion lies in fostering startups that grow alongside their founders. Aleksander’s unique approach blends business strategy with personal development, ensuring that both startups and their founders thrive.
Agenda: Investor-Startup-Life Symbiosis: How to Build a Startup That Helps You Grow, and Not Vice Versa
The journey of a startup founder is often seen as a balancing act between personal well-being, business growth, and investor demands. But what if these elements could actually enhance each other? Join Aleksander Tõnnisson in this session to explore the concept of "Investor-Startup-Life Symbiosis," where a startup, its investors, and the founder’s personal life all support one another.
We will delve into the challenges of aligning these often-competing priorities and discuss strategies for building a business that helps you grow as a person, not just as a founder. Discover how to create a startup that is not just about scaling quickly, but also about finding harmony and fulfillment in your entrepreneurial journey. This session is perfect for founders looking to align their business goals with personal growth and investor expectations.
Partner, Formula VC Fund Manager, Sprint Crowdfunders' Fund Strategic Advisor, BANA Angels Armenia
Karen Vardanyan is a Partner at Formula VC with around 10 years of experience in finance and banking at HSBC. He's a strategic advisor at BANA Angels and co-founded Sprint Crowdfunders’ Fund, which invests in IoT projects entering the market through crowdfunding. Since 2018, Sprint has helped over 200 projects from 26 countries raise more than $100 million.
Agenda: Building a Sustainable Financial Model for Startups
Karen will guide you through creating a financial model that not only attracts investors but also supports sustainable growth. You’ll learn how to anticipate financial challenges, manage cash flow effectively, and develop a model that evolves with your startup’s needs. This session is packed with practical advice, real-life examples, and actionable strategies to help you build a resilient financial model that drives your startup’s success. Ideal for founders ready to take control of their financial future.
Managing Director at ICLUB Mentor at Techstars Berlin, Plug and Play and tech2impact Board member at Startup Hub Poland Poland
Anna has over 18 years of corporate, venture, and startup experience and a vast business and investor network in the CEE region. She worked as a part of EY, and PwC advisory practice focused on performance improvement advisory. Anna was a part of management teams in Venture funds, Private Equity, and CVC funds. She managed the acceleration programs and fund portfolios, performed due diligence and supported portfolio companies. Anna is a mentor at Techstars Berlin, Plug and Play and tech2impact, and a Board member at Startup Hub Poland. She has successfully supported over 250 startups as a mentor and advisor. Currently Anna is a Managing Director at ICLUB, an angel network powered by TA Ventures.
Agenda: The Growing Role of Women in the Startup Ecosystem
Uncover how women are reshaping the startup landscape — not just as participants but as leaders and innovators. This session will highlight the impact of women in driving growth and innovation, and explore the paths to greater representation and leadership in the startup world.
Founder and CEO at SquareCircle Global Founding Partner at SquareCircle Ventures Managing Director GCC at Founder Institute Co-Director at Startup Grind Dubai UAE
Sameer Sortur is the Founder and CEO of SquareCircle Global and the Founding Partner at SquareCircle Ventures, where he specializes in helping B2B startups scale and expand into new markets. As the Managing Director GCC at Founder Institute and Co-Director at Startup Grind, Sameer has a strong presence in the startup ecosystem across the GCC region. With over 15 years of experience in market expansion, sales strategy, and operational leadership, he has guided numerous startups through successful market entries and growth phases. Sameer's expertise spans multiple regions, including Asia, the Middle East, and North America, and his focus is on building sustainable growth strategies that align with a company’s core objectives.
Agenda: Navigating Market Expansion: How to Enter New Geographies Without Losing Focus
Expanding into new markets is a critical step for many startups, but it requires careful planning and strategic focus. In this session, Sameer Sortur will discuss the key steps to entering new geographies successfully. Learn how to evaluate market opportunities, manage cultural and regulatory differences, and create an expansion plan that supports your overall business goals. With insights from his extensive experience in international market expansion, Sameer will help you understand how to grow globally without losing focus on your core operations.
Maxim Shashenkov is the General Partner at NRG Ventures, with nearly 25 years of experience in investment banking, private equity, and wealth management. His career has spanned the UK, USA, Switzerland, and the Middle East, where he has built and developed businesses and provided strategic guidance on emerging markets. Maxim is known for his deep understanding of international financial regulations and his extensive network across the financial sector.
Agenda: Doing Business in the Gulf: Tactical Insights for Qatar, KSA, and Oman
Join Roman Tyan and Maxim Shashenkov for an insightful exploration of the Gulf markets in this focused webinar. Learn about the distinct business landscapes of Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and Oman. Roman and Maxim will share valuable tips on navigating their regulatory frameworks, understanding cultural differences, and forging strategic partnerships essential for successful market entry. This session, led jointly by both experts, is designed for entrepreneurs and businesses keen on expanding into these promising economies, providing practical advice and insights to capitalize on the opportunities these regions offer.
Founder & Managing Partner at NRG Ventures Mentor at Saudi Aramco Entrepreneurship Center Mentor at Alchemist accelerator (USA) Saudi Arabia
Roman Tyan is the Founder & Managing Partner at NRG Ventures, pioneering a new generation of venture capital ecosystems aimed at driving value-centric global changes. With a formidable track record, he has managed a $110 million VC portfolio, securing lucrative deals with major firms such as Uber (IPO), Gett, eToro, and Mobeewave (acquired by Apple). As an advisor, Roman supports over 45 startups, collectively valued at over $10 billion. He is an active mentor at the Alchemist Accelerator in the USA and the Saudi Aramco Entrepreneurship Center.
Agenda: Doing Business in the Gulf: Tactical Insights for Qatar, KSA, and Oman
Join Roman Tyan and Maxim Shashenkov for an insightful exploration of the Gulf markets in this focused webinar. Learn about the distinct business landscapes of Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and Oman. Roman and Maxim will share valuable tips on navigating their regulatory frameworks, understanding cultural differences, and forging strategic partnerships essential for successful market entry. This session, led jointly by both experts, is designed for entrepreneurs and businesses keen on expanding into these promising economies, providing practical advice and insights to capitalize on the opportunities these regions offer.