Startup conferences are amongst the most captivating and revolutionary events the tech industry has to offer. For those out of the loop, a startup conference is an event directed at entrepreneurs and innovators, where the ultimate goal is to inspire creative and ambitious entrepreneurs to develop their visions into tangible goods and services. At a startup conference, entrepreneurs and innovators mingle with potential investors, inspiring speakers, and seasoned industry professionals from all over the world, where they get the opportunity to showcase their ideas, network, and generate valuable connections that can help catapult their businesses.
Being a part of a startup conference can turn out to be an incredibly influential part of an entrepreneur’s journey, and many have already made their mark. Here lies the beauty of startup conferences: despite being cost and time-intensive, the risk is often the reward, with attendees often finding great success after their experience at a startup conference.
Real Numbers Behind Startup Conferences
Seeing the direct value and impact startup conferences can offer, it comes as no surprise that it has become a booming industry — so much so that the real numbers behind startup conferences often paint a vivid picture. Below we provide a few of the most relevant figures in the industry:
Number of Conferences
In 2019 alone, there were a total of 845 startup conferences held across the globe, with an estimated 550,000 attendees. This number is expected to grow rapidly over the next few years, with an estimated 915 conferences and 640000 attendees in 2020 alone.
Average Ticket Prices
The average ticket price of a startup conference was around $870 in 2019 and is expected to rise to around $920 in 2020, proving that startup conferences are steadily becoming a large-scale industry, as more and more entrepreneurs are taking the opportunity to interact with industry professionals and investors for their own benefit, such as gaining valuable insight and knowledge on their respective field.
Revenue Generated
The estimated revenue generated from the industry in 2019 was approximately $546 million and is expected to rise to around $656 million in 2020. This is a huge increase compared to the $364 million generated in 2015.
Attendees Profile
When it comes to the demographic profile of the attendees of a startup conference, almost 35% were aged 30-39, 30% were aged 40-49, 18% were aged 25-29 and 17% were aged 50-59. Furthermore, almost 60% of attendees were male and 40% female.
Challenges
But while startup conferences offer great potential, there are also a host of challenges associated with the industry. With online competitions and forums becoming increasingly popular, many potential attendees often prefer to join online programs rather than invest their time and money in attending a conference. Additionally, the risk of conference fatigue is also a concern, as the sheer number of conferences offered coupled with the time investment associated with attending these conferences can often be overwhelming for entrepreneurs. As such, it is incredibly important for event organizers to maximize their levels of customer service and interaction.
Despite its challenges, the outlook of the startup conference industry is undeniably bright. With the ever-increasing attendance figures, it’s clear that entrepreneurs are looking to make the most out of such events. As such, the opportunity to learn, network, and engage with potential investors or clients can provide a huge advantage to any startup seeking to further its reach and influence. As we look towards the future of startup conferences, entrepreneurs of all levels should be looking to utilize such events to their full potential.
