Collaborating to launch & grow their own startup program, the “Next20”.
Digital Transformation World gathers the telco industry in Copenhagen combining inspirational content and how-to-knowledge in highly interactive events. Since 2022 we've been collaborating to launch and grow their own startup program.
Context
Digital Transformation World (DTW) gathers the telco industry combining inspirational content and how-to-knowledge in highly interactive events throughout the world in cities like Copenhagen or Bangkok, convening over 3500 attendees, and 600 exhibitors from over 90 countries.
Our contribution
We designed, launched, and implemented the “Next20”, TM Forum’s own startup program, to connect startups with communication service providers. All to strengthen the telco ecosystem and inspire the next wave of innovation and growth for the industry.
The program for the startups participating at the “Next20” includes an exhibition area, participation in a pitching competition in front of an investors and experts jury, a mentoring program and dedicated networking opportunities with the telco industry.
Purpose
Engage & Educate: Helping startup founders grow and scale their businesses and learn about the technological challenges for the telecommunications industry
Accomplishments
We successfully launched and implemented the “Next20,” managing to reach and attract to the event a new audience segment (startups, corporate innovation decision-makers, and investors) Thanks to the pitching competition and content sessions we added to the program, in the first year we:
- Global Reach: More than 80 applications from 28 countries and 6 continents.
- High levels of satisfaction: 23 startups from 14 countries, and 100 % of them would recommend participating in the program.
- Engagement: Partnerships with key organizations of startups and corporate innovation like Startup Grind, DigitalHub Denmark, or Match-Maker Ventures.
“One of the best decisions we took this year was to apply to the Next20 program. DTW was an inspiring and insightful event and we came home full of new ideas and potential partnerships.”