From Zero to Brand: Breakfast for startup branding professionals
Startup brands get built under conditions nobody writes case studies about
What works before funding, right after a round closes, and while scaling fast are three different jobs: building credibility from nothing, turning fresh capital into momentum, then holding the brand together as the company outgrows it.
From Zero to Brand brings together people who work on startup communications and branding to share what works and what doesn’t.
The format
Small group, no slides, no pitches. We’ll introduce everyone, we’ll ask what you’re wrestling with when you register, and the morning follows that.
Speakers
Jussi Mäkinen was on the founding team at Varjo, took the Angry Birds brand through Rovio’s IPO, and is now co-founder of Distance. A product of Aaltoes, Venla Väänänen has spent her career in early-stage startups, turning Gubbe into a PR phenomenon and running marketing at Maki.vc. She is now Marketing Director at IXI, the world’s first autofocus eyewear.
Claes Mikko Nilsen from NordicNinja steers the conversation and brings the view from the other side of the table: what a brand actually signals to the people deciding whether to fund you.
Agenda
8.30 Doors open & Mingle
9.00 Fireside & Reflections
9.45 Wrap-up & Mingle
10-isch wrap-up, head to Slush! 🚀
Supported by Dottir
We’ll be gathering at Dottir, a law firm for the builders of tomorrow. They’ve generously opened the doors to their beautiful offices, where striking artwork provides the backdrop for breakfast and conversation.
Hosted by
Jussi Mäkinen, CMO & Co-Founder, Distance
Venla Väänänen, Marketing Director, IXI
Claes Mikko Nilsen, VC, NordicNinja
Jukka Pello, Co-Founder of Dottir and Head of Venture Capital and Growth Companies
Seats are limited, so please register early.