Day 25 - Nordic Gathering

Hello Nordics

Today was the big day of the Nordic gathering, where the other cohorts came to Denmark so we could meet and greet the people from Norway, Sweden, and Finland. We kicked off a full day of networking with a founders' breakfast where we all had the chance to chat. It was great to finally meet the people I've been chatting with for weeks, and I was again impressed with the quality of the individuals Antler selected for this cohort. Everyone has a story to tell; some have already had their first IPOs, others tried to secure millions in investments, and the tech-savvy individuals have worked on everything from self-driving cars to self-healing plastic.

Advisors

In the afternoon, the national advisors arrived, providing us with a good overview of who will be available for help in the future. It was also an excellent opportunity for our visitors to meet them face to face and determine if there might be relevant advisors in Denmark. Getting proper introductions to the advisor team in a casual setting allowed for meaningful conversations before booking direct meetings. It's super helpful to have so many experienced people around who are willing to introduce us to their network if they see a good fit.

After-party

After the official program, we went to Boulebar to play petanque. Apart from being fun, it offered another opportunity to network with the other cohorts. It was also great to see the Antler team celebrating their get-together, creating a very cheerful environment. While I doubt that I will become a professional petanque player, it was great to spend more time with the others, learning about the startups they are trying to build and their strategies to maximize their chance for success.

Looking Ahead

Today has been super fun, and it shows that creating a company is not only about sitting in front of your screen. I think "work hard, party hard" is an overused phrase, and it also suggests that they are equal, which I think would be the wrong distribution. Maybe "party hard, work harder" would be more fitting. Anyway, my point is that days like today are super helpful. It's not only about the fun and games; it also expands your network, sharpens your pitch, and creates a strong feeling of community. We all want to change the world. The odds might be against us, but at least we are not alone.