The debate covered some of the hottest topics right now – from what makes a successful startup to the state of the business ecosystem in Europe right now, to what they really think of one another.

We’ve recorded the entire video right here – so grab a coffee and enjoy the full Heureka! Incubator session.

..and 550 participants focused on sharing the most innovative ideas on the digital scene. 7 May was a massive day for the VentureVillage and Gruenderszene team as we hosted our very first conference – Heureka!

Hosted in the Energieforum on the banks of the River Spree, the event drew star speakers and panel participants from leading companies including Microsoft, EyeEm, Team Europe and Rocket Internet as well as investors such as Mangrove Capital, Holtzbrinck Ventures, DuMont and Point Nine Capital.

Sebastian Siemiatkowski – keynote speaker and CEO and co-founder of eCommerce giant Klarna added: “Topics are very down to earth and the focus on practical experience. You can learn a lot more from mistakes and those have to be shared –and Heureka! is the perfect venue for this.”

But don’t worry of you missed any of the action – here’s a quick recap of Heureka! highlights… in video form, including the famous Incubator Group Hug.

Speed pitching in style

Meanwhile, a special speed-pitching event allowed 26 startup hopefuls pitch their wares to 13 key investors in the hope of startup love blossoming at the event. Florian Spathelf, founder of startup Meine Spielzeug Kiste said: “Heureka! offers the possibility to talk with investors on an equal footing. To exchange with experienced individuals who have forged their own way already.”

An after-conference barbecue saw attendees relax and network on the banks of the River Spree.

The Heureka! conference in pictures

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In-depth feature: Getting to know Knowable

VIDEO – Top tips for budding entrepreneurs

Need more hot tips?

Readmill’s Henrik Berggrenn will be one of the 40 internationally renowned speakers at the Heureka! Conference on May 7th, sharing their knowledge on the topics of startups, investors, incubators, mobile, e-commerce, internationalisation and rising stars.

Get your ticket now for Berlin’s exclusive web conference, with a focus on ideas and implementation, and mingle with today’s web elite to discuss tomorrow’s issues.

It’s creativity in your pocket. Capturing fleeting moments at the touch of a button has never been easier and artier. The explosion of mobile photography with all its accompanying camera gadgets and thousands of photo-apps, is shaking up the photography industry as we know it. 200 million photos are uploaded to Facebook every day and a combined 31 million users have downloaded popular photo-editing and sharing apps Instagram and Hipstamatic.  Our video correspondent Elaine Jung, explores this embraced social trend – intensifying worldwide. Professional photographer Carolin Weinkopf, EyeEm co-founder Florian Meissner, and graphic designer Linda Gavin; share their thoughts on this accessible, social and interactive art-form.

VIDEO – A Gidsy adventure

VillageTV caught up with CEO and co-founder Sebastian Funke to explore the realms of Smeet; where users build 3D mansions, buy fantasy pets, and engage with one another through games, parties, and other virtual hangouts.

VIDEO – A Gidsy adventure

With around 4,200 exhibitors on show for five days, there was everything from pole-dancing robots and the latest gaming trends to cloud application and online security – with the main theme being “Managing Trust in a Digital Economy”.

VentureVillage went on a whirlwind tour of CeBIT to see how some of Germany’s promising startups were getting involved. We also spoke to IBM Venture Capital Group Partner Martin Kelly about his thoughts on the Berlin startup scene…

After winning TWiSt Berlin,  Meinespielzeugkiste (or Mytoybox for the Germanically challenged) had mere days to prepare before jetting off to San Francisco to attend Jason Calacanis’ famous innovation and startup event, Launch 2012.

We caught up with Florian by Skype on the conference floor to find out what’s his coolest spot, whether he’s San Francisco or Berlin and why it’s much more important to get negative feedback…

When Byron wrote ’Childe Harold in 1818, he actually spelled it “eureka.” Here in Germany, we spell it “Heureka!” with an “H” (pronounced as it was in its original Greek form). In every language, Heureka is that instant where your idea crystallises and becomes awesome. In the entrepreneurial sector, it’s when your concept becomes a company.

Building a company is a learning experience. It may or may not begin with a revelation but it’s often built by a series of them. In order to better understand our Berlin founders, we asked them what inspired their companies.

Listen up, and stay tuned for a special announcement later today!