​Each month, we'll have a combination of tactical fireside chats with experienced entrepreneurs and plenty of opportunities to network with other founders, potential cofounders, and investors.

​Agenda

​Our format is as follows:

• ​18:00 - Arrival & Open Networking

• ​18:30-18:45 - Speed Networking

• ​18:45-19:00 - Community Shoutouts

  • ​Tell the group what you're working on, recent wins, and any challenges you're facing that you'd love help with

• ​19:00-19:30 - Tactical fireside chat

  • ​An informal, hands-on fireside about the tactics and strategies involved in building, shaping and growing a startup. Each month, we will discuss different topics and invite diverse guests to share their stories.

• ​19:30-20:30 - Open Networking & Drinks

• ​20:30 onwards - Pub Drinks (The Jolly Botanist)

​Why should you attend?

• ​You're currently building a startup

• ​You have an idea and are thinking of starting a business

• ​You want to start or co-found a business but you aren't sure what yet

​What is a startup?

​There are many definitions for a startup, often contradictory. To keep things simple, a startup is a newly established business that aims to develop and sell a new product or service under conditions of extreme uncertainty. Startups are usually founded by entrepreneurs who are seeking to innovate and disrupt existing markets.

​Some key differences between startups and small businesses:

• ​Growth - Startups are focused on rapid growth and scaling their business model. Small businesses are usually more focused on stability and serving an existing market need.

• ​Funding - Startups typically raise, or consider raising outside investor funding through venture capital to fuel their growth rather than through revenue or loans alone. This is a generalisation and there are certainly startups that instead opt for the bootstrapped approach.

• ​Risk profile - Startups tend to be higher risk since they are often pioneering a new product or business model. Small businesses tend to have lower risk profiles.

• ​Culture - Startup cultures tend to emphasise speed, iteration, and disruption. Small business cultures can be more risk-averse.

• ​Impact - Successful startups aim to be high-impact and reach scale quickly. Small businesses have a smaller, more localised impact.

• ​Exit strategy - Many startups aim to eventually be acquired or go public. Small businesses focus on stability and generating profit.

​Overall, the key difference is startups are focused on innovation, high growth, and disruption, while small businesses provide existing services to a local market. Of course, there is often a lot of overlap, and startups can eventually evolve into small businesses over time.

​If you’re looking to learn about any of the above or sharpen your startup tools, this is the Meetup for you! 😎

​Special Thanks

​Hosted by serial founders, Rob Gelb of Campfire and Selby Cary of Scaleup Lessons.

​Sponsored by Start to Scale, Shepherd and Wedderburn's initiative to supercharge start-ups and scale-ups.

​Partnered with the Edinburgh Tech Meetup and Entrepreneurs Social Club.

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