Aarhus Townhall: A new entrance and startups that avoid dying

This post is also available in: Danish

The headline for the biannual city celebration for the Aarhus ecosystem this time was “How not to die”. The celebration was similar in every way, making it easier than ever to be a first-time visitor to the ecosystem.

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“Launch without a market need

That’s a dumb way to die, indeed

Run out of cash, and raise to late

Who would fuel a startups with an empty crate?”

With their own lyrics to the YouTube phenomenon “Dumb ways to die “, Aarhus Townhall kicked off in the usual meme way under the otherwise deeply serious headline: “How NOT to die”.

The stage for the ecosystem’s biannual town party was set this Thursday by local startup success Geeta Schmidt, who shared her insights from growing Humio from idea to $400M exit. She was followed by a panel discussion on survival strategies and insights into why startups fail.

With top-notch speakers (and co-organizer Lasse Chor walking around with a bat that read “SCHHH!” aimed at the chattering classes along the way), the stage was set for what it’s always about after the presentations: informal networking across the ecosystem with a cold (and free) draft beer in hand.

In this way, the feeling of being part of the local environment spreads quickly – also for the many visitors who made the trip from Copenhagen. But the everyone-knows-everyone feeling can also make it difficult to meet the Townhall ecosystem for the first time – which is why the organizers from Startup Aarhus had a new offer for first-time participants this time.

An easier first time

Aarhus is a small city, and Townhall is where the dense ecosystem meets, where everyone knows everyone. At least that’s how it can feel if you’re participating for the first time.

“People are here to talk, but the community is so strong that it can be intimidating to come from outside. As if everyone just knows everyone already – and has known each other for a long time,” says Ellen Kobberø, Head of Experience at Startup Aarhus.

It can be intimidating, but if you’re not already part of the ecosystem, events like Aarhus Townhall are a great opportunity to meet the whole startup family at once. That’s why Startup Aarhus added a pre-event for first-time visitors this year to make the first time easier.

Around 30 first timers met in the Turbine Hall an hour before the official kick-off, where they could network with each other in a more facilitated setting before the more seasoned Townhall visitors also showed up.

“We wanted to create a space where newcomers could make allies who are also first timers. Because even though it may feel that way, you’re never the only first timer, and it was a good way to demystify it all a bit,” says Ellen Kobberø.