Reflecting on a Great Opportunity: Pitching at the iTanks Event in Rotterdam

Last week, I had the privilege of pitching at the iTanks event in Rotterdam – a fantastic opportunity for any startup. As a young company, one of the key challenges is finding ways to broadcast your product to a wider audience, gather valuable feedback, and build meaningful business relationships. These are the kinds of opportunities that help you understand where your technology can truly add value. iTanks offers exactly that.

What makes iTanks particularly special is how they create a platform for both members and non-members to pitch their ideas. They offer startups the chance to present in a simple format: one minute, one slide. And on top of that, you can set up a roll-up banner next to your table, almost like having a mini booth. It’s a brilliant approach because it lowers the barriers for startups that need visibility and a platform to share their innovative ideas, while at the same time offering iTanks members fresh perspectives and new insights into possible innovations that could benefit them.

In my one-minute pitch, I tried to explain how our pulsed power plasma technology can be used in a range of applications – from purifying water and air to converting CO2 into ethanol. It was a tight timeframe, and of course, I ran out of time! But thankfully, Mark Oosterveer from iTanks asked me a follow-up question about the possibility of converting CO2 into vodka – which allowed me to explain that yes, while it's technically possible, it’s more of an internal joke within our team.

Before and after my pitch, I had the chance to connect with several iTanks members, and those conversations were incredibly valuable. There were some interesting discussions around potential applications for our technology in odor control for the seed oil industry, as well as the tank terminal industry. I also made some good connections in the sustainability sector, which could lead to exciting collaborations. And of course, I also had the chance to meet some CO2 conversion companies, which is always a valuable learning experience.

In short, I’m incredibly grateful to Yasmin Khashaba and the iTanks team for organizing such a well-run and insightful event. It’s not just about pitching; it’s about the connections you make and the opportunities you uncover in the process. For startups, it’s a rare and valuable chance to test your ideas, get feedback, and see where your technology can truly make an impact.

Looking forward to the next opportunity to collaborate with the iTanks network and continue building on the momentum we’ve gained from this event!

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