The Afterglow of PIRATE Summit

One year ago - at the Last Burn - I received a wooden treasure chest filled with the most important treasure of all. It’s an afterglow of over a decade of PIRATE Summit.

A year ago, as I stood on stage for the final PIRATE Summit's closing night, I was handed a wooden chest. 

Its contents? The most precious treasure imaginable. 

But before I reveal what was inside, let me share an idea with you.

🏴‍☠️

While the PIRATE Summit chapter is closed, we're considering a community reunion on September 5th, 2024 at Odonien. 

Picture this: barbecue, open bar, fires, surprises, talks, music, and other fun activities - a classic PIRATE-style evening. 

But it'll only work if we gather enough of us. 

If at least 100 people pledge by Thursday, July 4th, we'll make it happen. 

Interested? Pledge your support and spread the word!"

🏴‍☠️

An overwhelming surprise

They say the best surprises come in unexpected packages. On the evening of the Last Burn, that saying came to life.

Thanks to the wonderful Sara and a group of dedicated community members, I was presented with a book and an actual treasure chest. 

Yes, a real wooden chest. This one.

Inside were loads of notes, each one a memory, a thank-you note, a story from someone who had participated at a PIRATE Summit over the years. 

As I opened the chest and began to read, I felt a lump form in my throat. 

'PIRATE Summit became a turning point for me. It ignited a fire within me.'

'PIRATE Summit helped me find my first investor.'

‘I have brought the concept of GIVE GIVE GIVE ASK to Ukrainian founders, and also managed to fall in love with someone during my stay in Cologne.’

'I will never forget the culture and essence I experienced there. I needed that reconnection.'

I couldn't bring myself to read on. 

The weight of a decade's worth of experiences, the finality of the summit's end, it was all too fresh. 

I closed the chest, letting it sit untouched, allowing time to soften the edges of my emotions.

The treasure

Months passed before I felt ready to dive back in. 

But when I did, I realized I couldn't - and didn't want to - do it alone. 

My kids and I made it a weekly ritual, opening a few notes at a time, reading them together. 

Through this simple act, PIRATE Summit found new life in our home, its spirit staying with us long after the last flame of the Last Burn had faded.

As we read, the summit came alive through the eyes of its participants. 

Each note was a time machine, transporting me back to specific moments, conversations, and faces.

The stories were heart-warming. 

People found co-founders, launched businesses, secured funding, and formed partnerships - all the things we'd hoped for when we started in 2011. 

But it was more than that. The vast majority included personal notes addressed to me (and the team), which, I'll admit, stirred up conflicting emotions.

I've never been comfortable with praise, so reading these heartfelt messages felt both warming and slightly awkward. 

It was a strange mix of emotions - pride in what we'd built, humility in the face of such heartfelt appreciation, and a touch of nostalgia that this chapter had closed.

One theme stood out above all: meaningful connections. 

Nearly every note mentioned how PIRATE Summit had helped them connect with others in ways that mattered. 

This, more than anything, was the most satisfying of all, as it validated our core mission. 

The reason we did what we did. And why we continued doing it for 11 editions.

Making memories tangible

What struck me most was the tangibility of this treasure. 

Over the years, countless PIRATE Summit memories had been etched into my heart, but this chest made them concrete. 

It was a physical representation of the summit's impact.

This collection of notes revealed some of the value we'd created. 

Also, it shows that while the summits themselves were fleeting, their impact was more permanent. 

Each message represented a life touched, a connection made, an idea sparked.

The treasure chest reconfirmed the power of collective memory and shared experiences. 

The reason we created PIRATE Summit in the first place.

While we were busy with operations, logistics, speakers, etc., something bigger was unfolding. 

We weren't just running events; we were nurturing a community where people felt inspired, supported, and empowered.

We cared deeply about getting every edition right. 

Receiving such a warm echo in return means a lot.

Every note was someone taking the time to share their story, to say thank you. 

Each one moved me, made me reflect, and rekindled my sense of purpose.

The Afterglow

It's like an afterglow that still lights the way.

Just as the warm glow lingers after a fire dies down, the impact of PIRATE Summit continues to illuminate lives long after its final event.

This chest of memories is a testament to that enduring light - a tangible reminder of the warmth, energy, and connections that were forged over a decade.

To everyone who contributed: your words mean more than you know! 

They've helped me better understand and see the impact of our work.

As I move forward, I carry this chest with me in spirit. 

It's a reminder of the power of community and connection, the value of doing something because we care, and the profound, often unseen impact we can have on each other's lives.

The PIRATE Summit may have ended, but its spirit lives on.

Keep the fire burning in your hearts and lives. 🔥

And who knows? We might just have a reunion on September 5th, 2024. 

Stay tuned for updates if we decide to make it happen.

🙏

Be kind

Manuel