It was the 28th of September 2012 when we first met. Michalis Kakogiannis Foundation was the place. As for the reason? Athens Startup Weekend University 2012, perhaps the most popular Greek entrepreneurship contest for University students. Some of us were there out of pure curiosity, others because they knew what it was about and others just by luck!
Pitching, voting, networking and team building
It was Kostapanos Miliaresis who stood up on stage and pitched his idea about a magical platform that would connect volunteers to events and it only took him an hour to find the other missing pieces. Haris, Yiannis, Addimando and Aris joined the team, while Chris (late as usual… just kidding) joined the next morning.
Hard work, Red Bulls and Beers before the big moment
OK, we didn’t know exactly what to do. Aris had brought with him a bunch of papers with notes on how to make a Business Plan (which he later found useless) and Chris was still working with Kostapanos on the logo and brand. But one thing was sure: ASWU would give us everything we needed in order to create a hell of a Business Model, present it in front of some C-level Judges and at the end, win the 2nd prize. Piece of cake right? Well yes and no.
On the one hand Red Bull became our best friend. Long hours of hard work, sleepless nights, numerous changes in the business model due to the continuous feedback we received from the mentors and of course the ideas we kept on coming up with until the final presentation. On the other hand, while everyone were running around the venue like crazy because they hadn’t finished with their PPTs yet, we were downstairs drinking beers and wondering: “Are we really so awesome, or have we messed it up?”
2nd prize and the year that followed
What was the best thing that we gained from the ASWU? Hard to answer, because it’s not only one. Meeting our future partners, networking, feedback from some of the best mentors we have ever met, focused training and tips on Business Model development and this indescribable experience that an ASWU event has to offer were the things that launched an amazing, successful and unforgettable year for GloVo. 1500 registered volunteers, almost 45 supported events and actions and priceless, unique moments. Yup guys, this is what you can get out of an Athens Startup Weekend University event.
Rendezvous
A year after Kostapanos’ nervous pitch on the ASWU 2012 stage, our roads meet again. This time for ASWU 2013, which is going to take place on 18-20 October at The Hub Athens.
120 University students, 12 mentors and 54 hours separate you from building your own team, creating your own startup, living your own unforgettable experience and getting ready to tell your story to the next ones. As for GloVo? We will be there to do what we know best: offer help and support through our amazing volunteers!
Athens Startup Weekend University 2013 – Challenge Accepted! See you there!
