Enjoying the aftertaste of this weeks's fabulous Mini Seedcamp event in Ljubljana, I cannot but once again recall with awe the absolute substantive highlight of the day: Boston-based VC Fred Destin's superb keynote masterclass on the Startup Lifecycle. For the ones interested in reliving the experience, or if you weren't in Ljubljana this Thursday, you can watch Fred's groovy Prezi here. After the pitches and mentor sessions were over, I had a chat with Fred at Ljubljana's Town Hall reception for Seedcampers, as we sipped cocktails based on local vodka-hype Fukoff.
Fred's from Brussels, and has been living in Boston for a few years now, but is defenitely bent on returning back to Europe. Asked whether a Sillicon Valley is possible in Europe, or even in the region, Fred chuckles: "No, that's not going to happen. But some great stuff does come from Europe, not even necessarily tech or web". Regarding the difference in startup and entrepreneur mentality on both sides of the pond, Fred thinks it's because in Europe generally we're more comfortable. We don't have to run so hard, we have way more social protection and institutional frameworks that allow us to follow existing paths. Although, Fred notes, in this part of Europe it's different. There's more urge to prove yourself, to perform better than the rest, and that's why everyone's keeping a close eye on Central and Southeast Europe.
And as far as that golden recipe is concerned, Fred repeats once again: there is none. "If you follow all my advice and that of others, and do everything by the book, you probably will fail". Simply because every startup is different, it's inspired by local conditions and the personal stories of the founders. Just make sure you know your story and don't make the obvious mistakes of others, and go out there and just do it. "You only live your twenties once, go ahead and make that Skype or Zara". Amen.
