It was 2018, and for the first time, I was heading to Web Summit Lisbon; a place where the world of startups appears exciting, colorful, and full of success stories from the outside. But before that, I had launched several startups; first in Iran and later in the UAE. These experiences allowed me to witness the reality of this path firsthand.
The startup world is not what is usually seen on stages or in LinkedIn posts. This world is tougher, more competitive, and full of decisions with real consequences. Decisions that can change the trajectory of a team or even the life of a founder.
The idea of Startupik was born precisely from this. I wanted to create a place where experiences were real, not embellished and theatrical; a place where failures were not censored, and startups were narrated as they truly are, not in the form of marketing stories.
I started Startupik as a startup magazine with rich content; a space for sharing my real experiences, alongside research and analysis about startups worldwide. From the beginning, I knew that this project was not meant to remain just a media outlet and pursued a larger goal.
The path forward was completely clear. Startupik had to grow gradually; step by step. Each season, a meaningful addition, a new feature, and another practical way to help startups grow and gain visibility.
Today, Startupik is not just about content. This project is about building a bridge; a bridge between founders, startups, and innovation ecosystems in different countries. A bridge that can simplify communication, understanding, and growth.
This project is the result of combining my practical experience in building and developing startups, along with the knowledge I gained from studying entrepreneurship at the University of California, Berkeley. A combination of practice and education that has helped shape a more realistic view of the startup world.
Today, Startupik is run by an agile and compact startup team in the UAE. Our focus is on developing new features, producing deep and practical content, smart marketing, and building meaningful connections within the startup ecosystem.
And finally, Startupik has no meaning without its community. This project grows only with the support and companionship of founders, builders, and enthusiasts of the startup world. If what you read here resonates with you, sharing it is the simplest and most effective way for this story to continue.
To access the Startupik website, please visit https://Startupik.com. I hope you enjoy it.