A week ago, I found myself in Helsinki, standing amidst the glow of lasers, surrounded by thousands of like-minded entrepreneurs, investors, and innovators at Slush – arguably the world’s most dynamic startup conference. It wasn’t just a gathering; it was an experience – a whirlwind of inspiration, ideas, and connections that I’m still unpacking. It was both crazy and genius.
A Festival for Founders
Slush is unlike any other conference I’ve attended. Picture this: stages more reminiscent of a music festival than a business event, with awe-inspiring production quality – rotating stages, immersive lighting, and thematic designs for every area. The energy was palpable, the atmosphere almost mystical. It was dark and focused yet buzzing with the hum of innovation.
The event catered to startups at every stage. From early-stage founders learning how to validate ideas and build MVPs to seasoned entrepreneurs scaling globally, the sessions were rich with actionable insights. Talks spanned product-market fit, raising Series A funding, and the emotional rollercoaster of building a business. Fireside chats with founders of iconic companies like Revolut and Slack offered raw, unfiltered perspectives on success and failure. These weren’t just lessons – they were stories of resilience, courage, and adaptability.
Beyond the stages, the conference provided countless breakout areas for one-on-one mentoring, intimate speaker sessions, and invaluable networking opportunities. Whether you were meeting investors, brainstorming with peers, or soaking in the wisdom of experts, there was always something to engage and inspire.
Key Takeaways: Redefining My Approach to Entrepreneurship
Amid the vibrant chaos of Slush, a few lessons resonated deeply – ideas that felt like revelations, not because I hadn’t heard them before, but because of how they were articulated. They challenged my thinking and demanded action:
- Pause to rethink productivity: We often convince ourselves that busyness equates to progress. At Slush, I was reminded to stop, reflect, and ask the tough questions: Am I doing the right things? Productivity is about doing what truly matters. It’s a call to focus, to question every action, and to ensure that effort aligns with purpose.
- Challenge your comfort zone: Growth thrives on discomfort. Slush drove home the importance of inviting scrutiny—not just from your team but from peers, mentors, and even sceptics. Every challenge is an opportunity to refine your vision and push boundaries. True innovation lives in the uncomfortable spaces where assumptions are broken.
- Understand the habits you need to disrupt: Winning customers isn’t just about solving a problem – it’s about creating a compelling reason for them to change what they’re already doing. Breaking habits is hard, and as founders, our success hinges on crafting solutions so irresistible they can’t ignore us.
- Share the burden, share the mission: A startup is not a solo endeavour. As founders, we often carry the weight alone, but Slush reminded me of the power of a unified team. A strong culture, built on trust and shared purpose, is transformative. If your team truly believes in the mission, they’ll embrace both the struggles and the rewards of the journey.
- Purpose drives everything: Purpose transcends profit. The businesses that leave a lasting impact are those built with a vision that goes beyond commercial success. They strive to improve lives to make a difference – and that’s what draws customers, investors, and teams to them.
These takeaways aren’t just lessons – they’re challenges. Slush has pushed me to reevaluate my priorities, redefine my focus, and recommit to building something truly meaningful.
Slush also reminded me that founders often share similar struggles. It was comforting to hear others articulate the chaotic mental load of entrepreneurship.
Colm Farrington pictured with Cal Henderson (Co-founder of Slack)
Reflections on Jersey’s Startup Ecosystem
Slush wasn’t just an exhilarating dive into the global startup ecosystem – it was a powerful reminder of what’s achievable when a community comes together to celebrate, support, and uplift its entrepreneurs. While Jersey benefits from strong initiatives like Digital Jersey, TEKEX, and Jersey Business, what we’re missing is culture.
Startup culture is more than events, workshops and talking about how we need to support entrepreneurs. It’s about creating an environment where founders feel supported, not just for fleeting moments, where small wins are celebrated and risks are seen as opportunities. It’s about reframing startups as essential contributors to our community, not speculative ventures.
This cultural shift requires all of us to actively engage – techies, business leaders, grafters, dreamers, investors, government, and the wider community, both big and small – not just rely on Digital Jersey, TEKEX and co. It means moving beyond scepticism to ask, how can we help? It means creating connections where ideas and people can flourish. And it means broadening our definition of success, where anyone who dares to make something better in Jersey deserves recognition and encouragement.
A Final Note of Gratitude
As I return to my daily grind, I carry a renewed sense of purpose and an overflowing notebook of ideas. This journey to Slush was made possible after winning the crowd vote for the most investable pitch during Digital Jersey’s Startup Bootcamp. I’m deeply grateful to Digital Jersey for their support and for providing this incredible opportunity to connect with some of the brightest minds in the startup world. To anyone considering attending Slush: go. Whether you’re just starting or scaling, you’ll leave inspired, informed, and more connected than ever.
Slush has reshaped my thinking in ways I’m still processing, and I’m excited to bring those insights back to Jersey, pushing forward not just for my own ventures but for the broader entrepreneurial community we’re building together.
