Our Path to Participate in Web Summit 2024: A Digital Reception Persistency

We’re thrilled to share some exciting news - GuideLites is heading to Web Summit 2024 in Lisbon! Through a combination of determination, hard work, and touch of a Serbian innovation, our Digital Reception solution has earned its spot at one of the world’s premier tech conferences.

The journey wasn't easy – it started with a competitive national selection process where we faced off against Serbia's top startups. After making it through the initial screening with our one-minute video pitch, surviving a nail-biting public voting round (landing at #34), and delivering a knockout presentation in Belgrade, we secured 4th place and our golden ticket to Lisbon!

Now, we're gearing up for something big. With four pieces of hardware packed and ready to showcase both our Digital Reception and Castit Digital Signage Software, we'll be representing Serbian innovation at Pavilion 2. We're not just attending – we're diving in headfirst with startup masterclasses, pitch battles, mentor sessions, and targeted investor meetings.

Want to know how a visitor management system from Serbia caught the attention of Web Summit organizers, and what it takes to turn a local success into a global opportunity? Read on for the full story of our journey from application to acceptance, and our preparations for taking the global stage.

* Web Summit 2024 pitch presentation for Digital Reception

 

Introduction: From Idea to Global Stage

At GuideLites, we've always believed in the power of innovation to improve the way businesses operate. Our flagship product, Digital Reception, has been making unique visitor management systems across Benelux and Serbia. But we've always dreamed bigger – of taking our solution to the global stage. That's why when we heard about the opportunity to participate in Web Summit 2024, we knew we had to seize it.

Web Summit isn't just any tech conference; it's the Olympics of the tech world. With over 70,000 attendees from 160 countries, it's the best place to be if you want to be in the epicenter of innovation, investment, and inspiration. For a startup like ours, it represented a chance to showcase our product alongside tech giants and cutting-edge innovators.

But getting there? That was going to be a journey in itself.

* Digital Reception solution explanation

 

The Application Process: A Test of Determination

 

Discovering the Opportunity

It all started with a notification from NTP Nis and the National Chamber of Commerce of Serbia. They had partnered with Web Summit Serbia to create a golden opportunity for Serbian startups to shine on the global stage. The prize? A chance to represent Serbia at Web Summit 2024 in Lisbon.

For us, this wasn't just about attending a conference. It was about putting Serbian innovation on the map, about showing the world that great tech solutions can come from anywhere. And let's be honest – the idea of showcasing our product in the beautiful city of Lisbon was pretty exciting too! 

 

Crafting Our Application

The application process was intense, to say the least. We had to create a one-minute video elevator pitch that would capture the essence of Digital Reception. It needed to be concise, compelling, and captivating – it’s far from easy when you're trying to explain a complex system in 60 seconds!

Our team huddled together, brainstorming ideas, writing and rewriting scripts. We knew this video could make or break our chances. After countless revisions and practice runs, we finally hit record. The result? A pitch we were proud of, one that we hoped would open doors for us.

But submitting the application was just the beginning. We then entered a nerve-wracking waiting period, hoping we'd make it to the second round. The competition was fierce – we were up against some of the most innovative startups in Serbia.

 

The Voting Challenge: Rallying Support

When we got the news that we'd made it to the second round, we were ecstatic. But there was no time to celebrate – we now faced the challenge of public voting. We needed to secure a spot in the top 50 to move forward.

Our social media channels went into overdrive. We reached out to clients, friends, family – anyone who believed in what we were doing. Every day, we anxiously checked our ranking, strategizing on how to get more votes. It was a rollercoaster of emotions, watching our position fluctuate.

When the voting closed, we held our breath. And then we saw it – we'd secured the 34th position! We'd achieved our first major goal in this journey.

* Pitching event and preparation for Web Summit in Belgrade

 

The Serbian Pitch Event: Our Moment to Shine

 

Preparing for the Big Day

Making it to the top 50 was a victory, but we knew the real challenge lay ahead – the pitch event in Belgrade. This was our chance to showcase Digital Reception in person, to convince the jury that we deserved a spot at Web Summit.

We had just five minutes to present our product and make an impact. Our dynamic duo which had proven their stage performance on previous pitches, CEO, Zoran Popovic, and Project Manager, Jelena Jovanovic, were again chosen to represent us. They spent weeks refining the pitch, anticipating questions, and practicing their delivery. Jelena is a master at presenting, and Zoran can answer the most difficult questions since he knows everything about the project itself.

 

The High-Stakes Presentation

On the day of the pitch, the atmosphere was electric. We were in a group with some incredibly innovative startups, each with unique solutions. The competition was stiff, but we were ready.

Zoran and Jelena took the stage, their nerves steeled by weeks of preparation. They delivered a flawless presentation, showcasing how Digital Reception was improving and improving the visitor management. But the real test came in the three-minute Q&A session that followed.

The jury fired question after question, probing every aspect of our product and business model. Thanks to our thorough preparation and the team's deep knowledge of the product, we managed to answer each query confidently and comprehensively and transferred the knowledge, passion and vision to the jury itself.

 

The Sweet Taste of Success

When the results were announced, we could hardly believe it – we'd secured 4th place among 50 startups! This meant we'd not only earned our tickets to Web Summit but also secured funding for our trip. It was a moment of pure overjoy, a validation of all our hard work and perseverance.

* Zoran and Jelena at the pitching event

 

Preparing for the Global Stage

 

The Road to Lisbon

Securing our spot at Web Summit was just the beginning. Now we faced the logistical challenge of getting our team and our product to Lisbon. It's no small feat to transport a team and hardware from Serbia to Portugal, especially during a major tech conference when accommodations are scarce.

But we were determined. We've secured our tickets and found a place to stay. Every obstacle we've overcome has only strengthened our resolve to make the most of this opportunity.

 

Gearing Up for Success

Web Summit has assigned us a Success Manager who's been instrumental in our preparations. We're attending weekly training sessions, learning how to maximize our presence at the summit.

We've also submitted applications for additional events within Web Summit – startup masterclasses, pitch battles, mentor hours, and investor meetings. Each application required careful crafting of product explanations and pitch materials. It's been an intense process, but one that's honed our ability to communicate our value proposition clearly and concisely.

* Guidelites team with other teams on the pitching event

 

What's Next: Our Web Summit Goals

At Web Summit, we'll have a stand in the Serbian island section of Pavilion 2. We're bringing four pieces of hardware to showcase not just Digital Reception, but also our Castit Digital Signage Software. For one full day, we'll have the chance to demonstrate our products to a global audience of tech enthusiasts, potential partners, and investors.

But our strategy goes beyond our booth. We're meticulously planning our schedule using the Web Summit online app, targeting meetings with potential partners, resellers, and clients. Our goal is clear – to introduce GuideLites and Digital Reception to the world, to forge partnerships that will help us expand globally, and to learn from the best in the tech industry.

* Location of the GuideLites booth at the Web Summit Lisbon

 

Conclusion: The Value of Perseverance

Our journey to Web Summit has been challenging but incredibly rewarding. It requires careful planning, endless hours of preparation, and a team effort that's brought out the best in each of us.

For other startups out there, our message is simple – persevere. These opportunities, as daunting as they may seem, are within reach if you're willing to put in the work. Every pitch, every application, every late night spent refining your product—it all adds up.

As we pack our bags for Lisbon, we're filled with excitement and anticipation. We know that Web Summit 2024 is just the beginning of a new chapter for GuideLites and Digital Reception. We're ready to show the world what Serbian innovation looks like.

Stay tuned for our follow-up post, where we'll share our experiences and results from Web Summit 2024. The journey continues, and we can't wait to see where it leads us next!