The first half of the Slush’D year of 2024 is now wrapped. Missed it? This article will give you a recap on what went down across these six events around the globe.
Kuala Lumpur Slush'D
The first Slush’D event of the year took place in tropical Malaysia. Kuala Lumpur Slush’D anticonference emphasised the disruptive power of AI and promises to fuel the rising startup ecosystem in Malaysia and propel it onto the global stage.
This pub crawl-style event included 8 tracks focusing on different topics in 8 bars and restaurants across the narrow alleys of Kwai Chai Hong. Sessions varied from Policy track to creative track and offered interactive discussions and new learnings focusing on the disruptive power of AI. The event gathered about 250 founders, operators, investors, and other visionaries of future technologies.
The event was organized by Digital Districts and put together with tens of student volunteers studying Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence at the University of Malaya.
The amazing group of volunteers making the event run smoothly
Mandal Slush'D
The sunny, crispy day in March started with catapulting the mayor of Mandal together with bunch of volunteers to the chilly river running just outside the venue. How Slushy is that?
In a small city of 11,000 inhabitants, in the very southern tip of Norway, Mandal Slush’D took place. The day was all about accelerating the transition to cleaner, more sustainable energy.
The event gathered together 550 bright minds, startups, and investors to explore the challenges and opportunities that the energy sector of today presents. 3 stages were filled with energy-related topics and the most innovative energy-focused startups from Norway were there.
The catapult to kick-off the day
Windhoek Slush'D
Windhoek Slush’D brought the Namibian startup ecosystem together under one roof (or actually, on the stage of the National Theater of Namibia). The day included amazing pitches, local and international success stories, and engaging discussions from the audience like we haven’t seen in a long time.
One highlight of the event was the Slush’D 10 pitching competition, where 10 local aspiring startups competed to win a trip to present their startup in Slush in Helsinki. Finally, YYeniChat was crowned to be the winner. YYeniChat provides a platform where an AI teacher delivers the lesson to each learner in a personalized way. We’re excited to follow their journey from here onwards!
The winning pitch
Djerba Slush'D
Imagine this–connecting with other startup fanatics on an actual paradise island in Tunisia? That’s what Djerba Slush’D was all about.
The turquoise Mediterranean water and heat was the complete opposite of Slush in Helsinki. But entering the venue where all the windows were taped black, you could feel the same Slush magic.
Focusing on empowering and supporting the Tunisian startups to expand to African markets and beyond, the national success stories and inspiration from abroad was showcased on stage and among the people in the room.
This retreat-like event offered relaxation through innovative forms such as light and sound frequency meditation as well as afrotherapy–relaxation through dancing and letting loose.
Making new connections and friends
Busan Slush'D
The second edition of Busan Slush’D continued to tackle the Seoul-centered Korean startup ecosystem by hosting a significant event for local startups outside of the capital. The goal was to empower the local entrepreneurs to take their companies closer to getting global and expanding their wings.
The day included three thrilling pitching competitions in different leagues: Youth league, New Wave league and Global league with three amazing winners. When not listening to the pitches and learning about new companies, one could listen real talks and keynotes from impressive speakers around the ecosystem. Or be (match)making deals with investors or experiencing the innovations at the booth area.
And let’s not forget about the afterparty.
One happy team
Karachi Slush'D
Karachi Slush’D brought together the ecosystem of Karachi for the second time. Last year’s theme of Our Future is Homegrown was continued this year into Theory to Reality, meaning focusing on how to practically involve homegrown solutions in their lives.
The event gathered over 500 people from the community from investors and speakers to students and future founders. One of the crowd’s favorites was the Startup Showdown, where teams from different startups competed in trivia and other challenges, Wondertree walking off the stage as a winner.
Another crowd favorite from the stage agenda was the Conversation Series between three pairs of a VC and their portfolio company. These sessions gave many insights into the collaboration between the two parties and hands-on advice for startups in the audience.
Navigating Co-Founder Relations panelists
A chance to create your own Slush'D event
Have a look at the rest of the Slush’D events of the year here and see if we are coming somewhere close to you.
Oh, by the way, the application round to host a Slush’D event in your local community in 2025 is open now. Check out the application guidelines and submit us your initial event idea before Sep 1.
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