How to make the most of Upstream Festival 2025 (for founders)

Upstream Festival 2025 is more than just an event. It’s a launchpad for startups ready to grow faster, connect deeper, and unlock new opportunities. But showing up isn’t enough – you need a game plan.

Here’s how founders can get the most out of their Upstream experience.

Start before you arrive

Once you’ve got your ticket, you’ll be added to our app close to the event, our networking and scheduling platform. This is where connections begin. Use it to build your profile, browse investors and partners, and book meetings ahead of time.

Smart outreach and early prep often lead to the most valuable conversations.

Pro tip: Investors get a lot of messages. Keep yours short, personal, and focused on what you’re solving and why it matters.

Nail your pitch

You never know who you’ll end up next to – so make sure your pitch is tight, clear, and adaptable. You’ll want a 10-second version for the coffee line, a 30-second version for speed networking, and a 1-minute version for investor meetings.

Be clear about the problem you solve, what makes you different, and what you're looking for.

Make yourself visible

There are plenty of ways to get in front of the right people:

• Join speed networking and investor matchmaking sessions
• Show up at side events and workshops
• Do your homework on who’s attending and tailor your conversations accordingly

Don’t overlook the value of investors who aren’t a perfect fit – many will be happy to introduce you to someone who is.

Talk to other founders

One of the most overlooked benefits of Upstream? The startup community itself. Some of the best partnerships, co-founder relationships, and late-night “aha” moments happen between founders.

Join founder-only meetups, swap stories, and be honest about the ups and downs. This is your crowd.

Be active, not passive

Don’t just sit in the back row. Ask questions. Join roundtables. Post live takeaways on LinkedIn. Tag speakers. Upstream is full of people worth knowing – and being visible helps them find you too.

Follow up (the right way)

Connections don’t mean much if they stop at “great to meet you.”
Follow up within 48 hours. Remind them who you are, mention something you discussed, and be clear about the next step. It could be a coffee, a deck, or just staying in touch.

Here’s your Upstream checklist:

- Set up your profile on our app
- Build a flexible pitch
- Join the right sessions
- Connect with fellow founders
- Stay visible and engaged
- Follow up while it’s fresh‍

Upstream Festival 2025
May 21–22 | Rotterdam
Thousands of founders, investors, and corporate innovators will be there. Will you?

Get your ticket now and start planning your route to growth.

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