Startup Community Poznań Meetup #46: Company building & fundraising (PL)

Startup Community Poznań is back with another inspiring meetup where we bring together the brightest minds of our ecosystem. This time, we’ll explore what really builds successful founders and uncover the practical realities of financing and scaling startups. Meetup will be held in Polish. IMPORTANT: You have to confirm your attendance. More info below. 🔥 Founder’s Story: Does the “Tornado” Still Work in the AI Era? with Tomasz Karwatka, entrepreneur and investor 80 percent of companies fail within their first five years, and the rules of the game have just changed. Tomasz Karwatka, author of The 5, co creator of companies including Divante and Callstack, and one of the early investors in ElevenLabs, returns to fundamental questions about building companies in a world accelerated by AI. During this fireside chat, we will explore whether the approach of “catching technological tornadoes” and moving from services to products still works in a reality where development cycles are shrinking and barriers to entry are lower than ever. In an honest conversation, we will discuss whether the “tornado” model still makes sense in a world of constant AI breakthroughs, how to distinguish real value from hype in 2026, whether the perceived disadvantages of Polish founders can become an advantage, and what truly matters in building a startup today and what will still matter five years from now. This session is for those who want to build companies that solve real problems for people and businesses instead of chasing trends, with practical insights, doubts, and questions focused on both the present and the future. 💡 Your Idea – Whose Money? Practical Startup Financing with Zofia Banaszewska, Innovation & Investment Manager Funding can make or break a startup — but who decides where it goes? Zofia will pull back the curtain on startup financing, revealing what investors really look for, common pitfalls founders encounter, and how to prepare for conversations about capital and trust. Expect real-life stories from European startups, non-obvious lessons, and practical tips you can apply immediately. 👥 Why join? This is not just about listening — it’s about connecting. Expect actionable insights from experienced entrepreneurs and investors, and meet founders, builders, and tech enthusiasts shaping the next wave of European startups. Whether you’re building, seeking funding, or just curious about the mechanics behind successful companies, this meetup is for you. ⚠️ Due to the high popularity of our events and limited space, we are introducing a registration system: 1. Sign up for the event – register through the form. 2. Email confirmation – after signing up, you’ll receive a link via email to confirm your attendance. This will place you on either the priority list or the waiting list. 3. Pre-event reminder – 3 days before the event, we’ll send an email asking you to reconfirm your attendance (3 days for priority list, 2 days for waiting list). 4. Event entry – only those who reconfirm within the specified timeframe will be allowed to attend.