Start-ups, Investors, Visionaries: The who-is-who of the founders’ scene gathers in Berlin!

The Internet makes it possible: fresh new companies become stock market darlings practically overnight and quickly enjoy market valuations amounting to billions of euros.  Google, Facebook and others are now global brands that everyone knows. After only two years, the Berlin-based social game developer wooga is now a world leader in its field, right behind the market leader Zynga. The German capital is also now considered a Mecca for start-ups and the Silicon Valley of Europe. But what does it really take today to found a successful company? At the International Media Congress (September 5-6, 2011, ICC Berlin), a number of different discussion rounds will focus on start-ups, visions and the financing needed to make them successful.  

The Next Big Thing? New Markets, New Business Models and New Capital
One of the biggest success stories in recent history is the rebate platform Groupon, which was launched in the USA in 2008 and now is very successful on this side of the Atlantic as well. The head of Groupon Europe, Daniel P. Glasner will hold a keynote speech in which he identifies the major milestones on the way to becoming the start-up of the year. As one of the scene’s major observers, David Rowan, editor-in-chief of the UK edition of Wired Magazine, will explain the business rules that a media entrepreneur must understand in today’s world. These two keynote speakers will then join together with successful founders and investors to analyze the potential business areas for successful start-ups, what kind of market environment they need and which basic conditions must be in place in order to succeed. Dr. Stefan Glänzer from Passion Capital UK has already set up successfuly models such as lastFM. Jan Miczaika represents the booming Berlin-based social games start-up wooga, and Michael Westhoven is senior advisor at the European investment company Leonardo & Co. Also participating in the podium discussion will be Oliver Beste from the Berlin-based capital investor FoundersLink, which helps founders – even those without final business ideas – get off to a good start.  

Social Business Innovation 2.0
According to the visionaries of the so-called “Business Model Generation,” design thinking and social business design are the most essential factors for success in the digital age. In cooperation with the blogger conference re:publica, the Media Congress will present cutting-edge thinkers such as Dr. Paul Pangaro from the School of Visual Arts Designing for Conversation in New York and Lars Hinrichs, a European tech entrepreneur who supports promising ideas with his company HackFWD.

Venture Lounge Berlin
The Venture Lounge at this year’s Media Congress will also provide for active networking between young founders and risk capital providers in the fields of Internet, IPTV, Mobile & Games. Invited investors, entrepreneurs and consultants will join to discuss future projects. Eight selected entrepreneurs will have the opportunity to present their business cases to participating investors and carry out one-on-one discussions in a relaxed atmosphere. The keynote speaker will be Lukasz Gadowski, a Berlin-based Internet entrepreneur and investor. As the founder of Spreadshirt, Gadowski will no doubt be able to pass on valuable know-how to a new generation of entrepreneurial talent. The Venture Lounge will take place in cooperation with media.net berlinbrandenburg, CatCap and Neuhaus Partners.

Digital Avant-Garde
In the congress section known as “Screenings & Presentations,” a number of young developers and entrepreneurs will showcase their new content, innovative business models and cutting-edge technologies. Among those attending are Federico Dini, founder of the Berlin-based company doodem, who will present his new transmedia project "Groupa.” Philipp Eibach will present wahwah.fm, an app that turns smart phones into radio broadcasters. Jim Louderback comes from the Internet TV network Revision3 in San Francisco; Gerrit Schumann is the founder of the Cologne-based music service simfy; Ekow Yanka is the founder of the Potsdam-based company castaclip, which brings together high-end video content and high-affinity ranges. For more information on other speakers, please visit www.medienwoche.de

In order to support start-ups, young professionals and students, this year’s International Media Congress is offering the significantly reduced “Young Professionals” rate for the first time in all price categories. A ticket for both congress days (September 5 & 6, 2011) costs €40, a day ticket costs €20.

For online accreditation and to see the program schedule, please visit www.medienwoche.de