![The European Pirate Summit puts the ‘Arrr!’ in Startups [Video]](https://img-cdn.tnwcdn.com/image?fit=1280%2C720&url=https%3A%2F%2Fcdn0.tnwcdn.com%2Fwp-content%2Fblogs.dir%2F1%2Ffiles%2F2011%2F09%2Feps3.jpg&signature=8140747797d47619f6b0eb6a53b8cb72)
Story by
Martin SFP Bryant
FounderMartin Bryant is founder of Big Revolution, where he helps tech companies refine their proposition and positioning, and develops high-qualit Martin Bryant is founder of Big Revolution, where he helps tech companies refine their proposition and positioning, and develops high-quality, compelling content for them. He previously served in several roles at TNW, including Editor-in-Chief. He left the company in April 2016 for pastures new.
This week saw the first European Pirate Summit take place. Held in Cologne, Germany, in a scrapyard that is used as home for a community of artists and as a clubnight venue, this was a startup conference with a difference.
Aimed at bold, risk-taking entrepreneurs with a ‘pirate’ attitude, the one-day event featured the same mix of panels, keynotes and networking that other conferences offer. However, its venue (we all shouted a piratey “Arrr!” at the noisy passing trains) and the strict restriction on attendees being startup founders, meant that it felt very different to other, similar events.
I caught up with one of the organisers, Manuel Koelman to discover the story behind the Summit.
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