From scientific conferences to startup events: my first UNLEASH experience
A few months ago,
I came across an event in Hannover that seemed like a good match for me: UNLEASH. I was not completely sure whether to attend, but thanks to being part of the Hafven community, I got a ticket. I was also not sure what to expect. This was my first conference as a freelancer rather than as a scientist. I had attended plenty of scientific conferences before, but never a startup event. So I went there with one question in mind: how different can a startup event really be from a scientific conference?
Before going, I also thought about bringing a business card. However, a normal business card felt a little too boring. I wanted people to remember not only my name, but also what I actually do. That is how I came up with the idea of creating a small postcard that summarises my work. Something between a business card and a mini introduction to Panchita Prieto. The idea was that someone could quickly understand what I do, but also keep it afterwards.
When I arrived, I started the day simply exploring what was there, listening, looking around, and trying to understand the atmosphere. Very quickly, though, I felt the energy of the event. Every few metres there seemed to be another idea developing, another project being presented, or simply another conversation happening. Surprisingly, it did not feel that far from a scientific conference. There were people talking about their work, explaining projects, asking questions, exchanging ideas, and trying to find common ground.
Venue.
But I did notice two important differences.
The first was communication. At scientific conferences, people usually have more time to explain what they do, and they are often speaking to others who already understand the terminology and context. At UNLEASH, there was much more emphasis on being able to explain your idea in one minute, or sometimes even less. I also had the impression that many people were very used to doing this. They could introduce a project quickly, clearly, and in a way that made you understand why it mattered.
The second difference was the variety of backgrounds. Scientific conferences are usually built around one field or a relatively specific topic. At UNLEASH, one conversation could be about sustainability, the next about AI, biotechnology, urban development, entrepreneurship, or something completely different. That interdisciplinarity was probably what I enjoyed most.
One small moment I really enjoyed:
When I hung my Panchita Prieto postcard on a board alongside everyone else’s projects, offers, and ideas. Since the postcard was designed with a front and back that work together, I decided to attach two of them so both sides could be visible. It was a very small thing, but I liked seeing something I had created becoming part of the space. I also had a few meaningful conversations throughout the day and met people working in very different areas. Some were close to my own background, while others came from completely different worlds.
Ich biete="I offer", "I provide" / Ich suche="I am looking for"
So, how different was it from a scientific conference after all? Less than I expected, but different in ways that made me think. What stood out most was how often people had to translate their ideas for someone outside their own field. There was less room to rely on shared terminology, and more need to make the message understandable quickly. I think that is what made the event especially interesting for me. In science, we often speak with people who already share part of our language and background. In more interdisciplinary spaces, ideas have to travel much further. They need to make sense to people who come from a completely different perspective.
And perhaps that is exactly where some of the most interesting conversations and collaborations begin.
Many thanks again to Hafven for making it possible for me to attend UNLEASH. I left with new ideas, fresh perspectives, and an even stronger sense of how much I enjoy spaces where science, technology and different disciplines come together.
