Editor’s Note
Hey, dear reader!
Last Wednesday, we hosted the first Fuck-up Night and it was a huge success!
We managed to create a space where real founders shared their stories on embracing failures and learning from mistakes. Exactly those 9 out of 10 stories you don’t hear about.
Reflecting on the event, I found myself pondering why Germans seem reluctant to openly embrace failure. I tried to understand this phenomenon by looking at Hofstede’s cultural dimensions.
Germany scores high on uncertainty avoidance and takes a long-term planning approach. Germans value processes, structure, and reliability. This cultural programming runs deep — failure creates uncertainty and disrupts the carefully constructed order people were taught to maintain.
Failing scares people, and that’s absolutely fine. When making mistakes becomes a source of criticism or shame, you retreat and play it safe. But what if, by avoiding failures, we end up betraying ourselves? Our dreams? Our potential?
It's something I remind myself of whenever fear tries to take hold.
How do you think about failures? Do you see cultural traits shaping your own relationship with risk and mistakes?
Open Calls
Here's a fresh batch of grants, accelerators, and calls that caught my eye last week.
🚀 For early-stage startups
Pegasus Angel Accelerator – A 12-week remote-first accelerator program offering $100K investment, personalized mentorship from 850+ advisors, and access to 500+ investors.
Deadline: Rolling application
🦓 For impact founders
Zebra Investment Night – Eight selected impact startups will pitch in front of investors, family offices, and VCs at Impact Hub Hamburg. Besides visibility, you’ll have the chance to secure direct investments on the spot and win prizes for startup-relevant services.
Deadline: September 28, 2025
🔬 For deep tech startups
DEEP Pioneers Tech Venture – Turn your groundbreaking technology into a scalable company — apply now to join DEEP Pioneers. Selected teams will join a founder–match off-site near Berlin in October and a 6-month coaching program to connect research with serial founders.
Deadline: August 31, 2025
Deep Tech Innovation Sprint – Work in interdisciplinary teams on real-world industry challenges using the BioDesign methodology, guided by leading experts in innovation and tech transfer. Expand your network and gain hands-on entrepreneurial experience in Hamburg’s deep tech ecosystem.
Deadline: Rolling application
Know of other opportunities our community should hear about? Reply to this email and they will be included in the next issue.
Save the Date 🗓
📍 September 3: Hamburg Global Innovators Circle – Join for networking, founder stories, legal & funding insights, and a panel with experts from IFB, Hanse Ventures, Handelskammer, plus bootstrapping founders.
📍 September 4: THRST. | Personal Branding & Social Media Game – Master the art of personal branding in a hands‑on session covering positioning, storytelling, and platform strategy to boost visibility and reach.
📍 September 16: AI Summit 2025 – Deepen your AI strategy at this summit featuring keynotes, breakout sessions, interactive pre-event experiences, and networking with experts and peers.
This Issue’s Gem 💎
found is partnering up with bit summit! And we’ve got an amazing offer for you - 25% ticket discount with a promo code FOUND25.
What’s more, we’re giving away 3 tickets to our community! All you have to do is like, comment, and reshare this post on LinkedIn. On September 1, we’ll draw three lucky winners. Good luck! 🍀
What: bit summit
When: September 4
Entrance: Paid
Language: English
Where: Stadtdeich 2-4, 20097 Hamburg
Why should I care: Join 400+ attendees across 4 tracks, plus 20+ speakers bringing first-hand solutions from industry-defining companies: Google, Reddit, Microsoft, Wolt, Netflix, ING, Vinted, adjoe, and more.
AI Everywhere 🤖
When: August 27
Entrance: Free
Language: English
Where: Address visible after sign-up
Why should I care: Learn how AI can support your career development and when to rely on human judgment over prompts.
Tech Bite 🧑💻
When: August 26
Entrance: Free
Language: German
Where: Planckstraße 13, 22765 Hamburg
Why should I care: Connect with like-minded WordPress enthusiasts in Hamburg, dive into the world of contact forms, learn best practices and common mistakes, and discover tips for selecting the right plugins.
What: HH DS + ML Meetup
When: August 28
Entrance: Free
Language: English
Where: Am Sandtorkai 68, 20457 Hamburg, Germany
Why should I care: Exchange with the local Data Science & Machine Learning community, hear talks on automation and neurosymbolic AI.
What: UX Camp
When: August 30
Entrance: Free
Language: English and German
Where: Völckersstraße 38, 22765 Hamburg
Why should I care: Join a day of UX workshops, networking, and knowledge exchange with industry professionals.
Startup 101 🔨
When: August 26
Entrance: Free
Language: German
Where: Kehrwieder 12, 20457 Hamburg
Why should I care: Join a networking event to become part of exciting startup ideas without needing your own application or idea.
When: August 28
Entrance: Free
Language: German
Where: Online
Why should I care: Learn how to set up smart pricing models and strategies for your startup.
Get Inspired ✨
When: August 27
Entrance: Free
Language: German
Where: St. Pauli-Landungsbrücken – Brücke 6/7 – Innenkante
Why should I care: Join Hamburg’s SaaS community for a relaxed evening on the water with drinks, fish sandwiches, and networking.
What: FinTech Roundtable
When: August 28
Entrance: Free
Language: German
Where: Stadtdeich 2-4, 20097 Hamburg
Why should I care: Connect with FinTech professionals over drinks and unlock collaboration opportunities.
What: Founders Running Club
When: every Saturday at 9:30 a.m.
Entrance: Free
Language: English
Where: Johannes-Brahms-Platz, 20355 Hamburg
Why should I care: Tired of late networking evenings and want to have kick off your weekend energetically? Join us for a quick 5K run. No pace judgment, just good conversation and better endorphins. Bonus: We always finish at a local café for that well-earned coffee and networking
That’s a wrap! Thanks for staying with me on this one. Hope you found it useful :)
Before you call it a day…
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If there’s an event I should definitely include in the next issue, submit it here.
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See you soon,
Kyrylo from found Hamburg