Networking without mistakes: what a founder should do at an IT event

What is most important for a founder at an IT event? Preparation, making the right connections, and being ready to pitch yourself at any moment. Founders and CEOs of major IT startups share their rules.

Doszhan Zhusupov, CEO Cerebra AI 

The most important thing for a founder at an IT event is to try to be as useful as possible to other participants: share advice, introduce them to investors, connect startups with companies. But the key point is to do all this not as a transactional "I do this for you, and you do that for me," but with a genuine intention to help many people. 

When the time comes and you need help, at least one of those you helped will definitely support you in return.

Nadzima Noyofova, CEO epsilon3.ai

The most important thing a founder should do in the context of any IT event happens even before the event itself. A common mistake is to come "just to see who will be there" and hope for random encounters. It is much more effective to prepare in advance a list of people you want to talk to: investors, potential partners, clients, ecosystem representatives, or media. 

After that, it is important to take a proactive step — write to them before the event, express interest, and suggest meeting during the event. This will allow you to turn a few busy days into a series of targeted meetings with high value, rather than just a chaotic flow of business cards and superficial conversations. This approach not only saves time but also significantly increases the chances of real agreements and continuing the dialogue after the event.

Laura Yeraliyeva, CEO Yaya

1. First, you need to prepare for the events. For example, I study the speakers and participants. For those who interest me, I write to them in advance and schedule meetings. Or I approach them and catch them on the spot. 

2. I try to attend dinners and after-parties of such events. Usually, there are far fewer people there, and more time — for quality dialogues. 

3. The main must-do is to be open to new acquaintances and initiate them yourself. A "butterfly effect" may occur — a small acquaintance can turn into major partnerships in the future.

Chingiz Dauletbayev, CEO TrustMe

Set a goal in advance: with whom exactly he wants to meet, what information or benefit he wants to get from these people, what he plans to pitch, what offer he will make, and how he plans to build further interaction.