Welcome to the first edition of Super Stories! Here at Superconnectors, we're thrilled to launch this blog as your go-to spot for all things community-related. Catering to founders, superconnectors, and partners alike, we're dedicated to bringing to light the stories and experiences that make our network uniquely vibrant.
The Journey of MEMSYS
In our series' first feature, we had the privilege of speaking with Thijs Blad, CEO of MEMSYS, a pioneering Delft-based startup at the forefront of IoT solutions for trains. Specialising in tracking, monitoring, and automating inspections, MEMSYS showcased its vision at our Groningen kickoff event for 2024. Thijs's pitch highlighted their dedication and the hurdles they overcome in tackling the railway sector's challenges, from operational disruptions to unscheduled downtime.
Our main challenge is identifying how this market works, especially when things go wrong.
Thijs shares, emphasising their search for expertise regarding the costs of maintenance, in the railway industry.
Networking on Steroids
At Superconnectors, our goal is to connect people during our events, through curating the attendees and connectors in the room. With around 30 Superconnectors at every event, we hope to offer valuable networking opportunities to help founders achieve breakthrough moments. We like to call it networking on steroids, a fun and effective way of collaboration.
Thijs came to pitch, looking for a connection to an operational manager or director at a large wagon leasing company. Did he find it?
In terms of value, I didn’t get my ideal connection. I got sort of a tangent to the kind of connection I was looking for. I did get connections from Lars though, who was a really enthusiastic and helpful person. I think he did really go above and beyond what I would expect from a sort of a normal introduction and well, he opened up his network and connected me to some further points.
Good Things Take Time
After two years of Superconnectors, we've learned that good things take time. While some connections are a perfect fit from the start, others require a bit more complexity to truly flourish.
Thijs explains our point:
There’s only so many people you can reach at an event. I like the idea of a critical ask, of phrasing what you need. It is sometimes a big hit or miss with all the people right there. There are fantastic connections to be made if you hit exactly the right person, but there's also these long trains of connections that, at some point after many steps, the sort of machine gets jammed.
To bridge this gap, we introduced the "Critical Ask Spotlight", a follow-up initiative targeting our most engaged community members with startups' value propositions and needs, through a monthly newsletter. Thijs's experience with the spotlight, resulting in numerous productive conversations, underscores its effectiveness as a tool for reaching a wider, supportive network.
You have a much broader set of people with good networks that are willing to help, and I think the follow-up newsletter is a fantastic instrument to reach them as well.
Where is Thijs now?
I inquired about Thijs’s approach to these connections in progress. He expressed
I’m definitely learning something from every person I talk to!
We believe it's crucial for founders to identify their needs and articulate a precise critical ask, leading to effective solutions for their challenges.
Normally you just put people together in a room, you call it a networking event, have some snacks and drinks, and then people should just sort of now talk to each other and that that often works, Superconnectors is a supercharged version of that. I really like the serendipity of going out there, making connections and trying to just make something out of nothing. And I think this event is doing a really good job of structuring that and providing a podium for these kinds of connections and people seem to enjoy it.
Thijs's enthusiasm for the Superconnectors event illustrates the transformative power of our community-focused networking approach. As he looks forward to potentially giving back to the network in the future, his journey represents a commitment to always learning, connecting, and giving back to the community.
Update: Thijs’s connections have paid off! After connecting to an operations director at a wagon leasing company, MEMSYS is getting ready to start testing their product in Rotterdam.
As we conclude this edition of Super Stories, we're reminded of the endless opportunities that come from connecting with others and engaging with our community. Through platforms like Superconnectors and stories like Thijs's, we're shaping a story of innovation, teamwork, and progress. Come along as we keep exploring and celebrating the connections that propel us forward.
