This week, our founder, Carmen, had the opportunity to represent Ivy Tech at Bits & Pretzels, connecting with startup founders from around the globe!

In a world driven by technology, it’s essential to remember that behind every innovation, every line of code and every brilliant idea, there’s a human story. Networking isn’t just about business cards and LinkedIn connections; it’s about building relationships, gaining insights, and understanding the people behind the businesses and the dreams that fuel their innovations.

Carmen’s biggest takeaways from the conference:

1) Always be prepared. It was evident that each attendee felt honoured to be at this conference and brought their true best self. Startups excelled in their pitches and presentations, investors showed genuine curiosity, and speakers had fun while delivering relevant messages.

2) Don’t forget to have fun. Fun is such a crucial element in our professional lives. We often forget that work can be fun, or that we have the power to make it fun. The conference was extremely sophisticated and meaningful, but there were a lot of FUN things about it too – like a spinning beer carousel, Pretzel bikes, free vegan ice cream and a high energy marching band. It reminded us of how important a smile or a good belly laugh is.

3) Embrace fear. Michelle Obama spoke about being “comfortably afraid” and embracing fear, which keeps us moving. It was a good reminder that comfort is not the place we must strive for or stay in, but rather push ourselves beyond our status quo.

Events like this remind us of the power of human connection in our industry. Ivy Tech is grateful for the chance to be a part of the vibrant tech community and see first-hand the passion and dedication of startup founders. The tech world thrives when we connect in human ways, when we support and inspire one another. Together, we’re shaping the future of tech, one connection at a time.