Ice Breaker Aug 2011 by Vadim Slavin

Today, Startup Monthly Idea Accelerator program had its first Ice Breaker event. What a difference it made to those who came to meet their future teammates. At the end of the day the success of the event was measured in decibels, in angry stares of the security guard,  in cups of coffee, and in smiles. Let me explain.

The purpose of the Ice Breaker event was to melt the ice between introverted engineers, extraverted entrepreneurs, and everyone else in between. The usual introductions don’t work. How can you judge your compatibility with a person based on the handshake and a smile? This is why Startup Monthly team decided to turn the old formula of co-founder meetups upside down. The purpose of the Ice Breaker was to place people in a comfortable, fun and equalizing setting.

As the time was passing by the energy of the room grew, the chatter intensified and by the time individuals were ready to pitch, most knew each other from different angles.

The format of this event was experimental and can be (and will be!) improved. And yet at the end of the day it go very loud with so many new teams forming. Many were reluctant to leave at the end: still talking, and discussing, and arguing, and agreeing – all  to the full dismay of the security guard ready to lock up and go home.

Having been kicked out after closing, several teams chose to go to a coffee shop to use the momentum. You could tell it was the natural high of a team that had come together to work on something greater than the sum of its parts. Ultimately, many left smiling and admitting that they had spent a full, fun-filled Sunday in the company of like minded entrepreneurs and technologists.

With the ice broken, melted, and event recycled into steam, the teams formed and ideas got the much needed shot of adrenaline. It is now up to the team leaders to inspire dedication and submit their team to the Startup Monthly Core program to convert ideas into funded startups.