Hot Take of the Week: Virtual events will never replace the impact of in-person gatherings

Have you seen any online event truly match the networking and engagement of a live one, or is in-person still irreplaceable?

I have - our 350-person fintech demo day on Hopin used opt-in matchmaking and 8-minute speed rounds, and I left with six investor calls booked, more than any in-person pitch night I’ve done. Still, in-person wins on rapport, so I use virtual to line up targets and then meet the best ones on-site.

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