Entrepreneurship Festival - Reality Check: Hard Lessons

​Join the ESCP Blue Factory for a special edition of our Entrepreneur Festival, celebrating innovation, collaboration, and entrepreneurship across Europe.

​This event brings together founders, investors, and business leaders to share the real lessons, bold ideas, and honest stories behind building and scaling ventures in today’s fast-changing ecosystem.

​💬 What to Expect

​🔥 Fireside Chat — A candid discussion with top investors and operators exploring:

​The real challenges of raising capital

​What investors are actually looking for

​Common founder mistakes and how to avoid them

​✨ The Genius Circle — Our signature entrepreneur therapy session, where founders share one real challenge and receive live feedback from the audience. Expect:

​3 founders · 2-minute pitches · 10-minute feedback sessions

​Actionable insights from peers, investors, and mentors

​A collaborative, no-fluff environment for founders ready to get raw, get real, and grow stronger

​🤝 Networking — Connect with over 150+ attendees:

​60% Founders

​15% Investors

​25% Operators, Advisors & Industry Leaders

​💡 Why Attend?

​Because no one builds a business alone. This is your chance to connect with the people, ideas, and insights that can move your journey forward—whether you’re launching or scaling fast.

​🎟️ Spaces are limited — secure your spot now and join one of London’s most engaging entrepreneurship events.

​🎤 Speakers

​Andreas Cser · Partner, Lead Co-Investments at Fraser

​Investor and startup executive — a former banker now “working for the light side.” Andreas brings deep experience in innovation strategy, venture growth, and navigating uncertainty.

​Marla Shapiro · Managing Partner, HERmesa

​A serial entrepreneur, mentor, and investor at HERmesa — a women-led angel syndicate with 270+ operators backing female-founded tech and deep science ventures. Marla champions inclusive investing that delivers outsized returns and long-term impact.

​Akil Benjamin · Managing Director, DOES

​Design Council Expert, visiting lecturer, and head of the Somerset House Accelerator Programme. Akil leads DOES, empowering underrepresented entrepreneurs through business support, mentorship, and partnerships with M&C Saatchi, Morgan Stanley, and Pinterest — supporting 6,500+ businesses in four years.

​Gian maria Gramondi · Co-Founder, Shop Circle

​Operator turned entrepreneur and Co-Founder of Shop Circle, an AI-driven B2B software group powering next-generation business tools. Backed by NfX, QED, Nextalia, 645 Ventures, 3VC, and firstminute capital, Shop Circle is redefining how businesses engage customers and scale efficiently.

​Moderator

​Alisa Sydow · Associate Professor of Entrepreneurship, ESCP London