FAQ

Where and when is PAKCon happening?

PAKCon 2023 is a one-day event held at Berlin’s lovely KulturBrauerei on Wednesday, October 11, 2023, from 09:00 to 18:30.

For session times, see the program on this website.

We’ll also livestream selected sessions on Project A’s YouTube channel. You don’t need to register to watch online.

How many people will attend PAKCon 2023?

We’re planning to host up to 2,000 people on-site.

Who’s coming?

Expect to meet the Project A team and employees from our portfolio companies.

Other attendees include leading figures from the international investment community and the European startup scene. And, obviously, all the fantastic speakers and PAKCon Partners.

Why should I attend?

Are you a founder trying to build a startup?
Perhaps you’re busy driving digital transformation in your company.
Are you an investor looking for new opportunities and innovative ideas?
Or maybe you’re a talent aspiring to join this dynamic ecosystem.

PAKCon is where you want to be, meeting speakers like you: Founders from our portfolio companies (and other startups, scale-ups, and established companies), thought leaders, investors, digital experts from across Europe, and Project A’s dedicated Talent Acquisition team.

No matter your domain, we’ll have inspiring sessions on everything from investments to people, marketing to software engineering, product to sales, and data to brand.

Why PAKCon?

As the Operational VC, knowledge sharing isn’t just part of our DNA; it’s the added value we provide to our portfolio companies, helping them create their own treasure trove of wisdom. So, why not organize an event where everyone shares their learnings?

That’s how the Project A Knowledge Conference was born back in 2018. It was so successful that we decided to keep going.

Why Obvious?

This year’s theme is The Obvious. Why dedicate an entire conference to such a modest, seemingly ordinary concept? Well, we’re glad you asked!
The crises we’re experiencing—globally and in our industry—were, in fact, predictable. That’s why we want PAKCon 2023 to highlight that which is so crystal clear it sometimes disappears.
While the sessions will focus on diverse topics, they will share a common agenda that explores fundamental questions:
- How can we do the right things right?
- How can we achieve ambitious goals while maintaining an essential clarity of mind?
- How can we shape our industry without making unrealistic assumptions and adopt a sustainable and honest approach instead?

Will there be talks in languages other than English?

Yes, some sessions will be in German.

Where can I find information about sessions and speakers?

Check out the official program on this website to find out what’s happening and when. We continuously update the information.

What’s the difference between regular and free tickets?

Paid tickets grant you access to the conference and extra activities, like meetups and the party, and include complimentary catering: 2 meals and 6 beverages.

While a regular ticket guarantees your access to the conference, free tickets are available only upon application and may be declined due to limited capacity or incompatible profiles.

After you’ve completed the registration form and submitted your application, we’ll send you a confirmation email. Once we finish reviewing the submissions, we’ll be in touch and let you know what’s the status of your application.

Supply is limited, so hurry up and get your ticket today.

Why would I pay for a ticket when there’s a free option?

1. Free tickets are limited NO LONGER AVAILABLE.
2. Free tickets do not guarantee access to the event: We will review your application and let you know if you’re eligible for a ticket.
3. Free tickets don’t include complimentary food and drinks.

I’ve already bought a €30/€50 ticket. Can I get a free one instead?

Yes. You can downgrade your ticket via Eventbrite: Simply request reimbursement and mention that you need a free ticket code in your request.

I have a free ticket. Can I buy a Separate food voucher?

Sure! Write us at knowledge-conference@project-a.com, and we’ll send you a code to buy a €50 food and beverages voucher.

Should I buy a food voucher in advance?

We think so. The value of the food voucher is €50, which covers 2 meals and 6 beverages available throughout the day. Check out what's on the menu under During the event tab.

You can buy additional food and drinks on-site using cash or cards.

Note that the food market closes at 19:00.

I've already bought a regular €300 or a sponsored €100 ticket. Can I get a free ticket instead?

No. Regular or sponsored ticket holders get guaranteed access to the event, skipping the application and approval process.

If you'd like to downgrade your ticket, you need to reapply for a free ticket and go through the application and approval process.

Who can attend?

We’ve learned from experience that the secret to a successful conference is to guarantee attendees have shared interests and relevant professional backgrounds. That’s why we ask you to apply for a ticket, helping us ensure all visitors will benefit from that special something when attending the conference.

We’d love to host people connected to the startup ecosystem: A founder, investor, current or former startup or scale-up employee, an individual working at the forefront of the digital economy, as well as educators, journalists, policymakers, and so on.

Where can I get a ticket?

We offer two options:
1) A regular ticket that you can buy online right now, guaranteeing you get access to all sessions and extra activities, as well as free food and drinks.

2) A free ticket, which you have to apply for. Note that this ticket does not include complimentary food and drinks, and your application may be declined due to limited capacity or incompatible profiles.

Click here to get your ticket.

How can I get access to Project A’s Talent Acquisition Team?

When you apply for a ticket, check the option to schedule a job interview in the registration form. You’ll get another email where you can share your profile with our recruiters, and they’ll be in touch with further details.

Click here to follow the Talent Corner activities.

What’s the difference between regular and free tickets?

Paid tickets grant you access to the conference and extra activities, like meetups and the party, and include complimentary catering: 2 meals and 6 beverages.

While a regular ticket guarantees your access to the conference, free tickets are available only upon application and may be declined due to limited capacity or incompatible profiles.

After you’ve completed the registration form and submitted your application, we’ll send you a confirmation email. Once we finish reviewing the submissions, we’ll be in touch and let you know what’s the status of your application.

Supply is limited, so hurry up and get your ticket today.

Do you need volunteers?

Yes, we do!

We're looking for thoughtful, motivated people who want to assist our event planning team with on-site organizational tasks and speaker management, ensuring everything runs smoothly.

What's in it for you? First, you get free access to PAKCon and the after-party, as well as free food and drinks.
Volunteering at PAKCon is also an incredible opportunity to network with speakers, portfolio companies, Project A employees, and guests.
Last but not least, you could get hired for an open role!

Recruiting starts shortly – click here to apply.

How can I support PAKCon as a PAKCon Partner?

Please get in touch with us at knowledge-conference@project-a.com.

Can I still apply to be a speaker?

Absolutely. You can write to us at knowledge-conference@project-a.com. Please include a description of your talk along with a short bio and your LinkedIn profile or website. To allow sufficient time to review your suggestion, please submit it by July 31, 2023.

How can I contact the organizing team?

You’re welcome to write to knowledge-conference@project-a.com with any questions, requests, or feedback you may have.

How do I enter the conference?

We’ll email you the tickets and further instructions once we’ve approved your application.

Can I attend meetups?

Some meetups are invite-only.

If you applied to participate in one of these exclusive gatherings, stay tuned for details: We'll keep you updated.

What's on the menu?

The on-site coffee bikes will offer a wide variety of warm beverages, as well as cookies and other small pastries (9:00-17:00).

We focus on healthy and fresh vegetarian, vegan, and meat-based food, including bowls, tapas, burritos, pasta, and burgers from MojewaBerlin Burrito CompanyTapagirl Berlin, and House of Gnocchi (11:30-19:00).

Can I interact with the speakers and ask questions online?

Unfortunately no. Only on-site guests will be able to interact with speakers and ask questions. However, we'll present some questions posted on our YouTube channel during some sessions.

How can I attend PAKCon Night?

That's easy: Hang around after the conference. All ticket holders are welcome to join the party.

Is there a code of conduct?

Yes, and it’s short and clear as our annual theme: A conference is also a community, as momentary as it may be, so it’s vital to create a safe environment where everyone feels respected, comfortable, and welcome to participate.

How do I report a code of conduct violation?

If you’ve experienced inappropriate behavior or feel that someone is violating our code of conduct on-site or on any of our online channels, please don’t hesitate to contact us at knowledge-conference@project-a.com.

I have some feedback. Would you like to hear?

Obviously! We’ll send out a feedback survey after the conference, and you’re always welcome to make a suggestion or share your thoughts (or awesome ideas) via email at knowledge-conference@project-a.com.

Where can I watch the sessions after the event?

We will upload all the recorded sessions to our YouTube channel. We’ll also post selected talks on our Insights blog and social media channels.

Who has access to my personal details?

Project A, registration platforms Eventbrite and Tally, and some of our PAKCon Partners have access to the details you provided when you applied for a ticket. See the PAKCon privacy policy to learn more about how we handle the information.