The Startup and The Power of Networks

Ilkka Kivimäki, Anna-Maria Henell and Todd Wiebusch at Upgraded Life Festival 2018

Running a successful startup is all about people. Not just teams, but networks. There’s the proverbial garage, somewhere in sunny California, where success stories start… But no-one ever really succeeded working alone, garage or not.

 As a Med Tech startup, you need several networks: investors and business mentors for the financial side, but also for the Board room work. Medical professional for the clinical perspective. And fellow startups, scale-ups and colleagues in large companies for peer Support and networking.
 
Last weeks have been busy with events, from Upgraded Life Festival to Arctic15, Terveydenhuollon ATK-Päivät to private networking events across the city. All of them perfect opportunities to meet people and to make things happen – for your company and for others.

We are happy to have Maki.vc as our investor. Last Friday, Anna-Maria Henell was on stage at Upgraded Life Festival discussing the startup-investor relationship with Ilkka Kivimäki. If you weren’t there, here are the keys to success, according to them:

• It all comes down to trust between the startup and the investor. If you have trust, you can overcome any obstacle.
• Life's too short to spend with people you don't like. Find the right match.
• We are all in this together. Share, advice, help. It will benefit both startups, investors, and the community.

 
For the last point, it also nails down what was discussed at Female Leaders night last week. Organized by Helsinki Chamber of Commerce, the broader topic was Women in Tech, leadership and leading transformation. And it was all about the power of networks – whether it’s the career path, leading a startup or finding an investor.

​Help others and you will be helped. Share the information you have, the good contacts, and the useful experiences. The good deeds will always be returned, someway or another!

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