Driftawave Founder and CEO Gina Schinkel has traveled an incredible path in just one year, going from her first Web Summit attendee experience in 2023 to now pitching on the very stage that sparked her vision. Her Expat Life caught up with Gina as she prepares to take Driftawave to new heights.
The Web Summit, one of the world's largest and most influential tech gatherings, unites startups, investors, and industry powerhouses from every corner of the globe. It’s where bold ideas come alive and rising stars find their stage.
Gina, we’re thrilled to see you pitching at Web Summit 2024! Driftawave is relatively new on the startup scene—what’s behind this incredible momentum?
"Thank you for the support and for joining me on this journey! Driftawave may be young, but the roots go deeper than people realize. I’ve poured years of vision and dedication into this company, and I’m backed by an amazing network who truly believes in what we´re building. I attended Web Summit 2023 with a dream, and it was my friend and Leadership of the Heart coach, Esther van Toledo, who told me, ‘Next year, you’re standing on that stage.’ I didn’t fully believe it then, but people like Esther, who fuel your confidence and push you forward, make all the difference."
What’s your vision for Driftawave, and what are you hoping to gain from Web Summit 2024?
"When people first see Driftawave, they focus on the travel aspect—workations and offsites, which is my passion and, of course, an exciting part of what we do. But with my background as an Account Director at LinkedIn Talent Solutions, I've witnessed the seismic shifts in work culture and understand the unique challenges HR and business leaders face. My vision for Driftawave is to bring transformative value to every offsite experience we create. Through our growing network of top coaches, disruptors, thought leaders, and mission-driven rebels, we can infuse each event with people who uplift, educate, inspire, and motivate. Driftawave isn’t about traditional offsites; it’s about creating experiences that keep companies ahead of the curve as we move through the agile era."
What advice do you have for female founders just starting out?
"Believe in yourself, and surround yourself with people who believe in you, too. You need people who see your vision and who can offer constructive insight. Building a company is a lot of work, but with dedication, passion, and sheer drive, you can reach any goal. Also, network like your success depends on it—because it does. Every connection you make holds the potential to open doors you didn’t know existed. Share your story; you never know who might be ready to support you along the way."
Catch Gina at Driftawave’s stand on Thursday, November 14, at Booth A736 (next to the Women in Tech stage). Don’t miss her Startup Showcase pitch at 2PM on Stage 13! Driftawave´s 40 words video will be played on Tuesday 12 November between 1:45PM and 2:30PM at the Corporate Innovation Summit (Stage 14, Pavilion 4).
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