Attending an AI conference can be a game-changer if timed correctly with your company’s growth stage. Whether you're a startup, scaling, expanding into new markets, or refining strategies as a mature business, aligning your goals with conference offerings is essential. Here's a quick breakdown:

• Startups: Focus on funding, pitching ideas, and networking opportunities to validate your business model.
• Scaling Companies: Prioritize product development, talent acquisition, and infrastructure scaling.
• Market Expansion: Build partnerships, navigate regulations, and enter new industries with tailored insights.
• Mature Organizations: Refine AI strategies, tackle governance challenges, and prepare for long-term innovation.

RAISE Summit, held annually in Paris, offers tailored tracks for all growth stages, including a €5M startup competition, networking with 9,000+ attendees (80% C-level execs), and exclusive access to industry leaders. Plans range from €599 to €3,499, catering to diverse business needs.

The key? Assess your current challenges, growth phase, and AI maturity to ensure the conference aligns with your goals. Proper timing can maximize ROI and help address specific business needs effectively.

Early-Stage Startups: Testing Ideas and Building Networks

Common Problems for Early-Stage Startups

Starting a business is never easy, and early-stage startups often face hurdles that can make or break their journey. One of the biggest obstacles is securing initial funding. Without the necessary capital, even the most innovative AI ideas risk stalling at the prototype stage. In fact, 45% of CEOs highlight a lack of expertise as a major barrier to adopting AI technologies^[6].

Another critical challenge is validating business ideas to ensure they align with real market needs. Developing solutions in isolation can lead to products that miss the mark. On top of that, startups often deal with issues like poor data quality (affecting 19% of them) and navigating data privacy concerns, which impact 29%^[6]. Building a professional network from scratch is also tough, especially when 80% of smaller businesses are already leveraging AI, intensifying the competition for attention from investors and clients^[6].

These challenges require focused strategies, which is where RAISE Summit’s STARTUP Plan comes in.

Using RAISE Summit's STARTUP Plan

The RAISE Summit offers a STARTUP Plan designed specifically to help early-stage businesses tackle these challenges head-on.

At €599 for validated startups, this plan provides access to a startup competition with a massive €5 million prize pool. This competition draws over 1,000 startups, with 10 finalists pitching their ideas to an audience of more than 9,000 attendees - most of whom are C-level executives or founders^[2]. It’s the perfect platform for startups to test their ideas and gain exposure to key decision-makers.

The plan also includes entry to a global AI hackathon with a €200,000 prize pool and over 8,000 participants^[2]. This fast-paced environment is ideal for creating technical proofs-of-concept. On top of that, startups can connect with over 840 venture capitalists and form more than 8,000 B2B partnerships through investor matchmaking and the Networking app^[8].

To make the most of this experience, startups can also tap into Side Events Week. These informal workshops and dinners offer a chance to gather candid feedback from peers and experts^[2]. Additionally, attending the Foundation agenda track provides valuable insights into infrastructure trends and funding strategies, with themes like "Silicon Horizon" and "Financing the AI Boom." The RAISE Networking app is another powerful tool, allowing startups to schedule one-on-one meetings with investors before the event even begins^[5].

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Scaling Phase: Building Products and Hiring Talent

Main Growth Problems During Scaling

When your company reaches the scaling phase, new challenges arise that can feel like navigating uncharted waters. One key issue is ramping up product development while ensuring quality doesn't take a hit. Many companies encounter the "ROI Dilemma" at this stage - pouring significant resources into AI infrastructure without clear ways to measure the returns on these investments ^[2].

Another pressing issue is recruiting skilled AI professionals in a highly competitive job market. This ties into the broader "Workforce Transformation" challenge: integrating advanced AI capabilities into existing workflows without causing disruptions ^[2].

On the technical side, moving from small-scale AI pilots to full-scale production is no small feat. This process demands careful decisions about sovereign cloud infrastructure, reliable data pipelines, and tools that align with your company’s unique needs.

To address these hurdles, RAISE Summit provides tailored plans designed specifically for scaling companies.

RAISE Summit PRO and DEVELOPER Plans

For companies looking to accelerate product development and attract top talent, RAISE Summit offers two specialized plans: the PRO Plan and the DEVELOPER Plan. The PRO Plan, priced at €999 (plus VAT), offers direct access to the summit’s technical resources. This includes specialized tracks like "Foundation" and "Frontier", focusing on scaling AI infrastructure, ensuring data reliability, and adopting effective AI frameworks ^[2].

The Innovation Hub and exhibition floors provide a wealth of insights, showcasing real-world case studies and proven architectures from companies that have successfully navigated similar scaling challenges ^[9]. For those grappling with infrastructure decisions, sessions like "Silicon Horizon" dive into chip innovation and alternatives to GPU-based systems, helping you avoid costly missteps ^[9].

On the hiring front, the advanced pre-event scheduling feature in the RAISE Networking app is a game-changer. It facilitates connections for recruitment and tech partnerships, giving you a head start in a competitive talent market ^[7]. Meanwhile, the DEVELOPER Plan, priced at €599, is ideal for emerging developers eager to stay updated on the latest technical trends.

Here’s a quick comparison of the available plans:

For companies prioritizing recruitment, upgrading to the VIP tier at €1 899 (plus VAT) is a solid investment. This plan grants access to developer profiles and startup pitch decks, giving you an edge in identifying qualified candidates ahead of your competitors ^[7][10]. Additionally, the VIP Plan includes entry to the MACHINA Summit, which focuses on cutting-edge physical AI and robotics - a valuable resource for teams working on autonomous systems ^[7]. You’ll also receive industrial trend reports packed with actionable insights to guide technology decisions.

"The fastest‑growing AI Tech conference in Europe, and maybe in history." – Eric Schmidt, Former CEO & Chairman of Google ^[2]

For a more dynamic approach to recruitment, consider attending the global AI hackathon. With a €200 000 prize pool and over 8 000 participants, it’s an excellent opportunity to spot emerging talent in action ^[2]. Additionally, scaling companies should prioritize "Applied AI" sessions, which highlight real-world deployments and rigorous evaluation methods, as well as "AI Strategy" tracks that provide essential guidance on ROI frameworks before committing to major infrastructure investments ^[9].

Market Expansion: Building Partnerships and Entering New Industries

Obstacles in Market Expansion

Breaking into new markets comes with its own set of hurdles. Each industry operates differently, with its own rules, standards, and customer demands. Navigating these differences takes careful planning and understanding.

Forming partnerships in unfamiliar markets is another tough nut to crack. Getting in touch with the right decision-makers is no small feat, and finding reliable partners takes both time and effort. On top of that, competing with well-established players means you need sharp insights across industries to spot opportunities that match your strengths.

Things get even trickier when you factor in regulations. Different regions have their own rules for AI, data privacy, and ethical standards. Without the right expertise, these can slow you down or lead to expensive compliance missteps.

This is where RAISE Summit’s networking options step in to help tackle these challenges.

RAISE Summit VIP and VIP MAX Networking Benefits

When you're looking to expand, the RAISE Summit VIP plans offer a focused networking environment designed to speed up partnership-building. With over 9,000 attendees and representatives from more than 2,000 global companies, the event connects you directly with decision-makers - 80% of whom are C-level executives or founders^[2].

VIP Plan
Priced at 1 899 € (plus VAT), the VIP Plan gives you access to a wealth of networking tools. Through the RAISE Networking app, you can review startup pitch decks and developer profiles in advance, making it easier to evaluate potential partners before meeting them face-to-face^[10]. This approach saves time compared to traditional networking methods. The plan also includes access to the MACHINA Summit, which focuses on robotics, humanoids, and autonomous systems - key areas if you're exploring industries like manufacturing or logistics^[10].

VIP MAX Plan
At 3 499 € (plus VAT), the VIP MAX Plan takes things up a notch. It includes an exclusive invitation to the Versailles AI Gala, a high-profile event tailored for executives and VIPs. This intimate setting is perfect for initiating strategic conversations that could otherwise take months to arrange^[10].

Both plans also include industrial reports on AI trends, offering the insights you need to identify opportunities and competitive gaps in new markets^[10]. Additionally, the "Friction" track provides sessions on navigating compliance and public policy across different regions, while the "Applied AI" track highlights practical deployment strategies from companies that have already made successful moves into new sectors^[2][9].

"RAISE is where everyone in AI is going." – Jonathan Ross, CEO & Founder, Groq^[2]

These VIP plans directly address the challenges of market expansion. They provide the tools and connections needed to navigate regulations, identify the right partners, and gain the insights necessary to succeed in new industries.

Mature Growth: Maintaining Innovation and Refining AI Strategy

Key Challenges in Mature Growth

When a company reaches maturity, the focus shifts from building AI capabilities to ensuring they deliver long-term impact. One of the clearest signs that it's time to adjust your strategy is the "AI bottleneck" - where AI speeds up content or code creation, but manual steps like approval, localisation, and distribution still slow everything down^[1]. Another common issue is treating AI as a standalone tool rather than integrating it into the core workflows of your business^[11][14]. If your AI efforts are siloed into isolated demos rather than driving overall business performance, it’s a signal that your strategy needs a rethink^[12][13].

This disconnect can leave a lot of potential untapped. To truly maximise AI’s value, companies need to go beyond superficial implementations and aim for operational transformations that enhance productivity across the board^[1].

Governance is another crucial area for mature companies. Without robust systems to address AI bias, fairness, security, and explainability, there’s a risk of reputational harm or even regulatory trouble^[12][13]. The leap from simple automation to "agentic" systems - AI that autonomously handles complex tasks like launching products across multiple markets - is what distinguishes industry leaders from those lagging behind^[1][14].

"The real, transformative value of AI isn't just in creation. It's in coordination." – Jennie Grant^[1]

To tackle these challenges, mature companies need a well-rounded strategy that deeply embeds AI into their operations.

RAISE Summit VIP MAX for Long-Term Planning

Solving these challenges requires a forward-looking approach, and the VIP MAX Plan is tailored for this purpose. At €3,499 (plus VAT), this plan is designed for companies at the mature growth stage, focusing on long-term AI strategies. With 80% of the 9,000+ attendees being C-level executives and founders, the summit offers a unique opportunity to benchmark your AI governance and integration efforts against global leaders^[2].

The summit’s "4Fs Framework" directly addresses the needs of mature companies:

• Foundation: Building the necessary infrastructure and computational resources.
• Frontier: Advancing agentic systems and autonomous intelligence.
• Friction: Overcoming challenges in ROI realisation and workforce adaptation.
• Future: Preparing for AGI and ensuring scalability over time^[2].

The Versailles AI Gala, included in the VIP MAX package, offers exclusive networking opportunities with policymakers and thought leaders. This is especially valuable as companies navigate the push toward sovereign cloud infrastructure and trusted AI systems^[2]. Additionally, the package provides access to industrial reports on AI trends and the "Friction" track, which focuses on solving the "ROI Dilemma" and improving capital allocation - key concerns for mature companies^[2][12].

"AI breakthroughs are happening faster than most people realise, but progress happens in layers. It's not a switch you flip." – Eric Schmidt^[13]

Conclusion: Assessing ROI and Timing for Conference Attendance

Main Points for Conference Timing

Attending an AI conference isn't just about acquiring knowledge - it's about ensuring that knowledge aligns with your company's current needs. For early-stage startups, conferences are most beneficial when validating ideas and seeking initial funding. Scaling businesses gain the most when they are ready to hire specialized talent and establish repeatable processes. As companies expand into new markets, the focus shifts toward building high-value partnerships and increasing industry visibility. For mature organizations, conferences provide a platform to drive innovation and tackle complex governance issues.

The key is to align conference attendance with your specific challenges - whether you're facing an "AI bottleneck" or struggling with data readiness and scaling. Tools like RAISE Summit's "4Fs Framework" (Foundation, Frontier, Friction, Future) help you prioritize tracks that directly address your growth challenges rather than offering broad, unfocused content ^[2].

To decide if the timing is right, consider your company’s current situation using the checklist below.

Checklist for Assessing ROI and Readiness

Here’s a quick checklist to help you determine if attending a conference aligns with your current goals:

• Do you have a specific business problem AI needs to solve?
  Clearly define the AI challenges you're addressing, like automating customer acquisition, scaling product development, or navigating regulatory hurdles. Avoid vague objectives.
• Are you seeking specific partners, investors, or talent?
  With over 9,000 attendees - 80% of whom are C-level executives and founders - RAISE Summit offers unparalleled networking opportunities ^[2]. However, this value is maximized only if you plan for pre-conference outreach and follow-up.
• Does your growth stage align with the available tracks?
  Match your company’s development stage with the RAISE Summit's tailored tracks to ensure your objectives are targeted effectively.
• Have you assessed your AI maturity level?
  Understanding your AI maturity helps you determine whether you need foundational knowledge or advanced strategic collaborations ^[4].

"RAISE exists to bring together top decision-makers... to assess strategies for implementation on a global scale." – RAISE Summit ^[3]

FAQs

How do I know which growth stage my company is in?

To figure out where your company stands in its AI journey, take a close look at both your AI maturity and your strategic objectives. Are you still experimenting with AI, actively scaling its use, or fine-tuning well-established initiatives? This self-assessment helps align your focus with your operational priorities. For instance, startups might concentrate on building scalable systems, while more established companies often shift their attention to expanding their market presence. Understanding these factors ensures that your next moves - like choosing the right conferences to attend - are tailored to support both your current needs and long-term goals.

What should I do before the event to maximise ROI?

To get the most out of your investment when attending an AI conference such as the RAISE Summit, it’s important to carefully evaluate both costs and time commitments. Consider expenses like tickets, travel, and accommodation, as well as the time you’ll need to dedicate.

Start by setting clear goals. Are you attending to network, gain knowledge, or drive business growth? Having a focus will help you prioritize your efforts.

Preparation is key. Identify the key individuals or companies you want to connect with, schedule meetings in advance, and come equipped with targeted questions. This approach ensures your attendance aligns with your company’s goals and helps you achieve measurable results.

Which RAISE Summit plan fits my goals and budget?

The PRO plan (€999 + VAT) is perfect if you're looking for access to the exhibition floor, workshops, startup pitches, networking opportunities, and event catering. If you're after more exclusive perks and a higher level of engagement, the PREMIUM plan (€1899 + VAT) might be a better fit. Pick the option that aligns with your goals and budget to make the most out of your experience.

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