At TechCrunch Disrupt Berlin 2019, some of the top tech minds were on hand to discuss the latest trends in the industry. From discussing the dangers of so-called “vanity metrics” to exploring the need for careful planning in order to prepare for potential failure, there was a lot to learn from Disrupt’s participants. Perhaps the most interesting conversation, however, was around the findings from the Black Founders Survey, which highlighted the need to improve access to capital for tech founders of color.
The Dangers of Vanity Metrics
One of the biggest issues for tech startups is being able to properly measure success. Unfortunately, relying too heavily on vanity metrics such as monthly active users (MAUs) can be dangerous. As Twitter co-founder Biz Stone pointed out, “Vanity metrics only provide a narrow view of the story… and can ultimately obscure the real issue of engaging people.” Similarly, AngelPad founder Thomas Korte noted how gathering “vanity metrics without context” can hamper the growth of a business and prevent founders from truly getting to the heart of what they’re trying to achieve.
Planning for Failure
Another key message from Disrupt was the importance of learning to navigate failure. Due to the high rate of failure among tech startups, careful planning and learning from past missteps is essential in order to stay afloat. Turner Novak of the AngelList Accelerator noted the need for “proactive” entrepreneurs to anticipate potential problems and plan ahead in order to remain viable. Korte further emphasized the need for understanding and learning from failure, noting that entrepreneurs must push forward “despite all of the difficulties, setbacks, and failures that come with the territory and that inevitably will occur along the journey.”
Black Founders Survey
While the TechCrunch Disrupt Berlin event was focused primarily on tech and entrepreneurship, one of the most memorable topics of discussion was the Black Founders Survey. The survey, which was conducted by venture capitalist Arlan Hamilton in 2019, yielded eye-opening results. The survey found that African American founders get just 0.0006 percent of all venture capital funding, while white founders get 79.3 percent of the total.
Hamilton was present at Disrupt Berlin to discuss the survey results, and her hope to use her platform to shine a light on the issue of disparities in the tech industry. At TechCrunch Disrupt Berlin, the consensus was clear – there is a need for more awareness and action taken to ensure that African American founders in the tech space are given the resources and investments needed to contribute to the industry.
Overall, TechCrunch’s Disrupt Berlin event provided a great venue for discussing the latest trends in tech and entrepreneurship. From highlighting the dangers of relying on vanity metrics to understanding the importance of planning for future failure, and discussing the findings from the Black Founders Survey, the event was a great opportunity to learn and gain valuable insights into the tech world.
