The vibrant city of Prague set the stage for the TRUESDAYS event, and I arrived 40 minutes early, eager to see what the evening had in store. Radlická Kulturní Sportovna, with its industrial charm, was already buzzing. The venue was a perfect blend of unique interior and exterior spaces, creating an ideal backdrop for the night’s activities.
The Energy Builds as the Crowd Arrives
As the crowd grew, so did the energy. The bar quickly became the social hub, with beers in hand and smiles all around. Everyone was ready to mingle and dive into the night’s festivities. The event officially kicked off with a panel discussion titled, “Business, Food, and Low-Rise Jeans: What Trends Stay and Which Fade Like Fidget Spinners.” The catchy title sparked curiosity, and the conversation that followed was lighthearted and full of fun moments. While it didn’t dive into deep industry debates, it was just the right mix of casual and engaging. Sometimes, a bit of playful banter is exactly what we need. Plus, any mention of fidget spinners is sure to get a few laughs and keep the conversation going!
Networking on the Terrace: Tiny Badges, Big Laughs
After the panel, people headed to the terrace, where the networking really took off. The atmosphere was lively, with everyone keen to connect. One amusing hiccup was the tiny name badges—so small that reading them felt like a test of eyesight! It quickly became a running joke and actually helped break the ice. So, note to future organizers: a slightly bigger font next time would make life a lot easier for all of us!
One-on-One Sessions: Quick Chats with Big Impact
The highlight of the night was the one-on-one sessions with investors and experts. These quick, seven-minute speed meetings were a fantastic way to get valuable feedback. I had insightful discussions with some brilliant minds, including Ondrej Lipold from Tensor Ventures, Elias Maier from PEAKZONE, Zuzana Ondrejova from J&T Ventures, Adam Bocev from Czech Founders VC, Radka Rusova from CzechInvest, Klára Kocarová from N1 VC, and Beáta Vörösová from Seed Starter ČS.
The booking system, which synced with my calendar, was a great touch. It made it easy to keep track of my schedule. However, adding a tag to show who you’re meeting with would make things even more user-friendly as the event grows. It’s a small tweak but would make a big difference.
A Vibrant Night That Sets the Bar High
Overall, the event was packed with energy, fun, and plenty of opportunities to connect. The organizers—Dominika Prekopova, Petra Foktová, and Nikola Naxerová—did an outstanding job of bringing the Prague startup community together in a vibrant, engaging setting. There were a few quirks, but nothing that detracted from the experience. Events like this are what keep the ecosystem buzzing, and Prague is setting a high bar for other cities in the region.
Hats off to the team for creating a night full of connections, conversations, and plenty of laughs. I’m excited to see how they’ll up the ante next time. Keep the good vibes coming, and let’s continue building this amazing community together!
Take care,
Matthew
