What happens when the dream of entrepreneurship runs into reality? On September 4 2025, CIC Rotterdam welcomes you to The Startup Hustle: a CIC Monthly event designed to offer a heartfelt, honest perspective on the startup journey. TEDx speaker and former serial entrepreneur Zakaria Jaiathe will share his emotional story of building, burning out, and choosing to return. Without pitches, but with genuine permission to reflect and reset.

What’s it about?

This isn’t your typical startup showcase—it’s a moment of honesty. The Startup Hustle is a curated evening featuring:

• Walk-in & Networking (17:00 – 17:30): Start the evening by connecting with innovators and professionals from Rotterdam’s vibrant CIC community.
• Keynote by Zakaria Jaiathe (17:30 – 18:00): A raw and reflective talk on scaling, resilience, and recommitting on your own terms.
• Interactive Q&A Session (18:00 – 18:15): A space to ask the questions weighing on your mind—growth, burnout, what’s next.
• Networking Drinks (18:15 – 20:00): Continue the conversation over casual drinks and strengthen your connections in the innovation ecosystem.

Why you should attend

Ever felt like your startup nearly broke you? This event is your 30-minute reset. Here’s why it’s worth your time:

• Hear a candid story from TEDx speaker Zakaria Jaiathe about the real emotional tolls of entrepreneurship.
• Pause and reflect in a safe space designed around honesty, not hype.
• Engage directly through a brief but impactful keynote followed by an open Q&A.
• Forge meaningful connections with fellow founders, innovators, and ecosystem builders.
• Stay plugged into CIC Monthly, a curated series connecting Rotterdam’s entrepreneurial community in a supportive environment.