ARRR

This one needs a bit of context. PIRATE Summit was held at Odonien, an outdoor venue right next to busy rail tracks. Trains passed every few minutes. They were loud. At the first PIRATE Summit, speakers couldn’t be heard when a train went by, so the audience started to shout a loud ARRR. It quickly became a ritual. Today, the ARRR is known across the startup community throughout Europe.

The ARRR is a signal - for those who have been to PIRATE Summit, it is a sign of unity and belonging. A code shared by entrepreneurs on their journey. For us, it stands for something more: a curious, independent, and at times rebellious view of the world. A world full of possibility that we can and will actively shape.

When you’re out in the startup community or speaking at a conference as part of PIRATE, you might get ARRRed by a stranger. It’s humbling. And it’s a reminder that what we’re building matters.