As the venue industry continues to evolve in a fast-paced, tech-driven world, there’s no better time to look outside the box for inspiration. Our upcoming VMA Congress is set to feature an exciting addition: the Momentus x CAST Innovation Hub, where four cutting-edge tech startups will showcase solutions tailored to the needs of venues. This initiative isn’t just about spotlighting innovation—it’s about sparking a conversation on how venues can adopt the mindset of startups to thrive in an ever-changing landscape. Drawing inspiration from The Builder’s Guide to the Tech Galaxy (a playful nod to Douglas Adams’ classic, reimagined as a modern startup manifesto), let’s explore key lessons venues can borrow from the startup playbook.
In The Builder’s Guide, the iconic phrase “Don’t Panic” isn’t just a quirky tagline—it’s a call to stay adaptable in the face of uncertainty. Startups thrive by navigating uncharted territory, pivoting when necessary, and viewing challenges as opportunities. For venues, this means letting go of rigid traditions and being open to experimentation. Whether it’s adopting new ticketing tech, reimagining spaces for hybrid events, or integrating sustainable practices, a startup’s willingness to iterate can help venues stay ahead of the curve rather than react to it.
Startups often begin with a bold vision—a galaxy-sized idea—and work backward to make it reality. Venues can take a page from this by rethinking their purpose. Are you just a space for events, or are you a hub for unforgettable experiences? The startups at the Innovation Hub are designing tools to enhance audience engagement, streamline operations, and elevate sustainability. Venues can learn to define their “why” and leverage technology to align every decision—from layout to programming—with that vision.
The Builder’s Guide celebrates the art of hitching a ride—connecting with others to accelerate progress. Startups rarely go it alone; they partner with innovators, mentors, and even competitors to scale their impact. Venues, too, can benefit from collaboration. The Momentus x CAST Innovation Hub is a prime example: by bringing together venue professionals and tech startups, we’re fostering a symbiotic exchange of ideas. Imagine partnering with a startup to co-create an immersive event experience or tapping into their data analytics to better understand your audience. Collaboration isn’t just efficient—it’s transformative.
4. Master the Art of ResourcefulnessWith limited budgets and lean teams, startups are masters of doing more with less—a skill venues can adopt as operational costs rise. The Builder’s Guide might call this “towel-wielding ingenuity”—using whatever’s at hand to solve problems. For venues, this could mean repurposing underutilized spaces for pop-up activations, integrating cost-effective smart tech for energy management, or crowdsourcing ideas from staff and attendees. The startups showcasing at the Hub will likely demonstrate scrappy, creative solutions that venues can adapt to maximize ROI without breaking the bank.
Startups live or die by their ability to solve real problems for their users. For venues, this translates to an unrelenting focus on the attendee. What pain points do your guests face—long lines, poor signage, uninspired concessions? The tech startups at the VMA Congress are tackling these very issues, offering innovations like AI-driven crowd management or seamless payment systems. The Builder’s Guide reminds us that the galaxy (or venue) doesn’t revolve around you—it revolves around those you serve. By prioritizing attendee needs, venues can turn one-time visitors into loyal advocates.
Perhaps the most galactic lesson of all: startups aren’t afraid to fail—they’re afraid of not learning from it. The Builder’s Guide would argue that every misstep is a stepping stone to the stars. Venues often hesitate to take risks, fearing backlash or wasted resources. But what if you tested a bold new event format on a small scale? Or piloted a startup’s tech for a single show? The Innovation Hub’s startups have likely iterated dozens of times to reach this stage—proof that failure isn’t the end, but a launchpad.
The Momentus x CAST Innovation Hub at the VMA Congress isn’t just a showcase—it’s a call to action. By engaging with these four tech startups, venue professionals have a chance to explore how agility, collaboration, and user-centric innovation can redefine their spaces. The Builder’s Guide to the Galaxy teaches us that building something extraordinary starts with curiosity and courage—qualities startups embody and venues can embrace.