Entrepreneurship Festival - Reality Check: Hard Lessons
Join the ESCP Blue Factory for a special edition of our Entrepreneur Festival, celebrating innovation, collaboration, and entrepreneurship across Europe.
This event brings together founders, investors, and business leaders to share the real lessons, bold ideas, and honest stories behind building and scaling ventures in today’s fast-changing ecosystem.
💬 What to Expect
🔥 Fireside Chat — A candid discussion with top investors and operators exploring:
The real challenges of raising capital
What investors are actually looking for
Common founder mistakes and how to avoid them
✨ The Genius Circle — Our signature entrepreneur therapy session, where founders share one real challenge and receive live feedback from the audience. Expect:
3 founders · 2-minute pitches · 10-minute feedback sessions
Actionable insights from peers, investors, and mentors
A collaborative, no-fluff environment for founders ready to get raw, get real, and grow stronger
🤝 Networking — Connect with over 150+ attendees:
60% Founders
15% Investors
25% Operators, Advisors & Industry Leaders
💡 Why Attend?
Because no one builds a business alone. This is your chance to connect with the people, ideas, and insights that can move your journey forward—whether you’re launching or scaling fast.
🎟️ Spaces are limited — secure your spot now and join one of London’s most engaging entrepreneurship events.
🎤 Speakers
Andreas Cser · Partner, Lead Co-Investments at Fraser
Investor and startup executive — a former banker now “working for the light side.” Andreas brings deep experience in innovation strategy, venture growth, and navigating uncertainty.
Marla Shapiro · Managing Partner, HERmesa
A serial entrepreneur, mentor, and investor at HERmesa — a women-led angel syndicate with 270+ operators backing female-founded tech and deep science ventures. Marla champions inclusive investing that delivers outsized returns and long-term impact.
Akil Benjamin · Managing Director, DOES
Design Council Expert, visiting lecturer, and head of the Somerset House Accelerator Programme. Akil leads DOES, empowering underrepresented entrepreneurs through business support, mentorship, and partnerships with M&C Saatchi, Morgan Stanley, and Pinterest — supporting 6,500+ businesses in four years.
Gian maria Gramondi · Co-Founder, Shop Circle
Operator turned entrepreneur and Co-Founder of Shop Circle, an AI-driven B2B software group powering next-generation business tools. Backed by NfX, QED, Nextalia, 645 Ventures, 3VC, and firstminute capital, Shop Circle is redefining how businesses engage customers and scale efficiently.
Moderator
Alisa Sydow · Associate Professor of Entrepreneurship, ESCP London