The real value of a startup conference isn't what happens during the event — it's what happens after. Most founders make great connections and then lose momentum by waiting too long, sending generic messages, or not following up at all. Here's how to do it properly.
Follow Up Within 48 Hours
The window for effective follow-up is short. Within 48 hours, your conversation is still fresh in the other person's mind. After a week, you're one of hundreds of people they met. Speed matters — send a short, personalised message the day after the event.
Be Specific and Personal
Don't send 'Great meeting you at the event!' to 50 people. Reference something specific from your conversation — a topic you discussed, a challenge they mentioned, or a connection you promised to make. This shows you were paying attention and makes your message stand out.
Match the Channel to the Relationship
LinkedIn is ideal for professional contacts and investors. Email works better for partnership discussions and formal follow-ups. WhatsApp or text can work for warmer connections. Match the channel to the depth of your conversation at the event.
Have a Clear Ask or Offer
Every follow-up should include a clear next step. For investors: 'I'd love to send you our deck — are you open to a 15-minute call next week?' For partners: 'I think there's an interesting overlap between what we're building — can we explore this?' For customers: 'I'd love to give you a demo of what I showed you at the booth.'
Organise Your Contacts Immediately
After the event, sort your contacts into categories: high priority (follow up today), medium priority (follow up this week), and low priority (add to newsletter or CRM). Use a simple spreadsheet or your CRM — don't rely on memory.
Send Your Deck or Materials Promptly
If you promised to send a deck, a case study, or an introduction — do it the same day. People judge reliability by small actions. Delivering on a promise quickly signals that you're someone worth doing business with.
Connect People Where Relevant
One of the most powerful follow-up moves is introducing two people you met who should know each other. This builds your reputation as a connector and keeps you top-of-mind. It costs nothing and creates enormous goodwill.
Schedule a Second Touchpoint
Don't let the relationship end with one message. Schedule a call, a coffee, or a check-in for 2–4 weeks later. The best business relationships are built over multiple interactions, not a single event conversation.
Apply This After Startup Summit Lisbon
If you're attending Startup Summit Lisbon 2026 (September 17–18), plan your follow-up strategy before you arrive. Bring a system for capturing contacts, block time on September 19 for follow-ups, and treat the 48 hours after the event as the most important part of your conference experience. The connections you make on-site are only as valuable as the relationships you build afterwards.
Startup Summit is a founder-first European startup conference — 2,000+ founders, investors and operators, 150+ speakers, 200+ startup booths, 3 stages. September 17–18, 2026 at Unicorn Factory Lisboa – Beato Innovation District, Lisbon.
Tickets from €49.
