Sigrid
Daniele is here with us today. After nearly ten years, we’ve decided we’re officially Berliners—even if we came from elsewhere. Welcome, dear Berliner.

Daniele
Thanks so much. Yes, nine years! I always say that after five years in Berlin, anyone becomes a Berliner.

Sigrid
Or maybe it’s after five visits to the Ausländerbehörde! You’re originally from Italy, but after traveling through Europe you settled in Berlin and now run your own company here?

Daniele
That’s right. I studied in Madrid and Paris, spent some time in Istanbul, then moved to Berlin. I got swept up by the tech and startup scene. This is actually my second company—much more successful than the first. Happy to talk about the journey and my failures too.

Entrepreneurship and Starting Over

Sigrid
Tell us about your company. What do you do and where can we find you?

Daniele
I worked as a product marketing manager. When my first company didn’t get funded, I realized LinkedIn wasn’t enough for networking. I needed real community.

Sigrid
Yeah, LinkedIn can be exhausting—it’s like everyone else is always succeeding.

Daniele
Exactly. It’s easy to feel overwhelmed, especially as a solo founder. I had to manage how much time I spent online. I structured my week, but my creative work—like marketing—came more randomly. Seeing everyone’s „perfect“ stories just gets old.

Sigrid
How was the jump from your first company to your second?

Daniele
The first one was tough. I was an architect but realized real estate wasn’t scalable like, say, Uber or Airbnb. Berlin is great for startups, so I joined a stipend program and tried to build a marketplace for long-term work sessions. The prototype was just a spreadsheet. Ultimately, it didn’t work out, and I learned it’s more expensive to close a company than open one in Germany.

Then I met my co-founder during Covid, became friends, and worked at an agency. After layoffs, I saw a gap—there wasn’t a real community for jobseekers. So I started organizing monthly events. Our newsletter grew to 2,500 people, my LinkedIn connections exploded, and I wondered: Can I make this my main job? It turns out, people were willing to pay for conference tickets. It’s been amazing to see it come to life, even though it was scary at first!

Building Community in Berlin

Sigrid
Tell us about the conference—who’s it for and how can people attend?

Daniele
It’s mainly for people in tech, especially product managers at all levels. Berlin has a big tech scene, but was missing a dedicated product conference. If you’re interested, check out productlab.app for the agenda and tickets.

Sigrid
What’s the secret to a great community, especially in Berlin?

Daniele
Berlin’s communities are mostly international—maybe only ten percent German. It’s a real mix. The vibe usually mirrors the founder and supporters.

Sigrid
Was it easy for you to connect as a newcomer from Italy?

Daniele
I arrived in summer 2016. There was a startup poker night with 150 engineers—it blew me away how everyone wanted to build something. That’s when I knew my future was in tech, not architecture. Today there are even more meetups and events in Berlin. It’s great, though with so much going on, quality can drop.

Sigrid
Some people think Germany is closed off, not open. Did you feel that?

Daniele
Mixed feelings. Design and tech are quite open, but I still have few German friends and work fully in English. Berlin doesn’t represent all of Germany—outside Berlin, you’d need more German skills and integration. Many internationals eventually move on, but after nine years I still have to reshape my circle when people leave.

Migration and Cultural Identity

Sigrid
Migration is complex—you always keep a part of your foreign self. Technology makes staying connected to home easier, but it’s a double-edged sword.

Daniele
True. When I lived in Istanbul, it was hard to visit home. Berlin’s closer, but the ease of seeing family really matters. For people from farther away, it’s a bigger deal.

Insider Tips: Food and Local Life

Sigrid
Where can we find the best Italian food in Berlin?

Daniele
My top pizzeria is Spa Napoli at Ostkreuz—my family’s from the Amalfi Coast, so trust me! For sushi, there’s a cozy spot near Gießenbrunnen with a chef really passionate about his craft.

Sigrid
So what I’m hearing is that you’re a foodie?

Daniele
Definitely.

Cultural Surprises and Advice

Sigrid
What was your first cultural shock in Berlin?

Daniele
Oh, this is the funny one and the most cliche: Getting stopped by police for riding my bike on the sidewalk.

Sigrid
What do you recommend to newcomers to Berlin?

Daniele
Learn German early—it makes everything easier. Also, join a Verein—those sports clubs are inexpensive and a great way to meet people and make friends. I wish I’d known about them sooner.

Marlene
Growing up in Germany, I was always in Vereins. You just try out different ones, see if you fit in. It’s very common and a great way to connect in Germany.

Sigrid
Interesting. So if you’re new, check out a Verein and try it out!

Daniele, thanks so much for joining us. Good luck with your conference and your football match today!

Daniele
Thank you very much for your time and the amazing chat.