Business Apéro 2024: How to secure your first deal

Business Apéro is an annual information and networking event organised by USI and SUPSI and supported by Innosuisse. 

This year we will be talking about negotiating your first deal as a startup. A big milestone for any B2B startup is securing a pilot project or, even better, a contract with a corporate client. However, normally, there is an information gap and a big gap in bargaining power between an up-and-coming innovative startup and an established company. What to be aware of? How to prepare before a client meeting to maximise your chances of success? And what are the potential negotiation strategies? Join us for the next Business Apéro to discuss all of this with experts, entrepreneurs and industry professionals. 

The event is open to entrepreneurs, students, researchers and anyone interested in the topic. 

Event programme:

17.30 – 17.40 | Welcome and introduction by USI Startup Centre

17.40 – 18.00 | "How to secure your first deal" by Arturo Nicora, Special Coach Innosuisse

18.00 – 18.30 | Panel discussion to share different perspectives with Arturo Nicora, Special Coach Innosuisse, Stefano Colombo, CEO of Stan2services & Mentor Innosuisse, and Andrea Girasole, CEO & Co-Founder of Billte 

18.30 – 18.45 | Wrap-up and Q&A

19.00 – 20.00 | Apéro & Networking
 

Speakers:

Arturo Nicora 
Arturo has led insurance firms, managed sales teams, and advised companies like Syngenta, Microsoft, and IBM. In 2002, he founded his own consulting firm, specialising in leadership, sales, team effectiveness, and cultural change. Since 2019, he is a Special Coach for Innosuisse. 

***

Andrea Girasole 
Andrea is the CEO of Billte AG, a fintech company offering a complete digital billing and payment ecosystem. Founded in 2018, Billte serves large enterprises and SMEs, partnering with banks and software providers to streamline invoicing and payment processes. 

***

Stefano Giovanni Maria Colombo

Graduated at the ETH in Zurich, today he is CEO of Stan2services, President of the BoD of Spinelli and AEM and active in several Boards and Associations in the Energy sector. In the technological innovation field, he acts as Innosuisse Mentor, Business Angel and startup coach. Stefano Colombo has developed successful track record in leading small to big business organizations into success in Switzerland and abroad.

To attend the event, please sign up via https://form.usi.ch/form/view.php?id=393773 

For further information:

startup@usi.ch