There’s something captivating about the annual chaos of Black Friday deals, especially for a European entrepreneur balancing budgets while scaling a startup. As a founder who’s bootstrapped multiple ventures, including a gamified startup incubator where failure is celebrated as a stepping stone, I’ve learned one thing: Black Friday isn’t merely a shopping extravaganza. It’s an opportunity to think strategically and save while putting your resources in gear for growth. Let me share the best deals I’ve found and explain how to harness them to propel your business forward.
The Deals Worth Exploring
1. Smart Tech Gadgets
Your office setup is more than just decor; it’s your productivity engine. Look into the LG G5 OLED TV, which is selling at a €997 discount for €1,997. A sharp screen isn’t just for binge-watching some Netflix, it’s perfect for polished investor presentations. Or grab a Dyson Gen5 Detect vacuum for €750, discounted by €300, because your office deserves to look pristine without wasting valuable time cleaning up.
Want smarter office solutions? Eero Pro 6E Wi-Fi routers are down €220 at multiple tech stores. With its ultra-fast mesh tech, handling Zoom calls while your server is running on the same network becomes smoother. That’s a lifesaver if you work remotely like I do.
2. Laptops for Hustlers
A solid laptop isn’t a luxury, it’s a necessity. The MacBook Air M4, now at €749 (€250 off), works great for seamless multitasking, especially when managing multiple startup tools. For something geared toward design-heavy tasks, such as CAD rendering or prototyping code-heavy applications, the Razer Blade 14 costing €1,450 could be perfect. Do your homework before deciding, I run a tech-heavy game-based incubator and have made the mistake of buying “design laptops” when all I needed was speed.
3. Entrepreneurial Essentials
If your business involves content creation or courses, then Canon EOS M50 cameras, not directly mentioned but often featured in Black Friday events, are typically discounted during this season. Video production quality makes or breaks online credibility.
Heading into e-commerce? Stock on tape measures, kitchen scales, or whatever niche product you might sell via platforms like Etsy or Shopify. A Samsung stackable washer at €698 (usually €1,149) could even start a rental model for local businesses, depending on demand in eco-friendly startup ecosystems.
How to Seize and Strategize
Black Friday’s hype often leads people astray, buying things they rarely use. As a female entrepreneur juggling resources across two niches, the habit I formed over time was to ask myself: Will this product improve my bottom line or save time? Below are tangible strategies for using Black Friday deals to multiply your outcomes:
1. Prioritize Tools Over Toys
Shiny gadgets are tempting. But stick to tech that enhances your operations. For instance, smart home devices like Arlo's Pro security cameras, now €85, add an extra layer of protection to office spaces. If it doesn’t directly support a key business process, skip it.
2. Think Team Productivity
A common oversight is missing opportunities around collaborative tools. For instance, a well-functioning Asus RT-BE58U Wi-Fi system at €98 can sustain your workflow across teams on multiple screens without IT hurdles. Digital whiteboards or real-time planners with Black Friday markdowns should also catch your eye.
The Mistakes You Should Avoid
Mistake one? Buying just to keep up with competition. I see founders hoard things because they sound “cool,” like VR headsets for a business that doesn’t utilize virtual reality. Mistake two? Ignoring warranties and long-term usage costs. Imagine grabbing that €120 COSORI Air Fryer TurboBlaze, only to realize parts aren’t easily replaceable. Research before checkout.
Another fun mistake I made: Over-simplifying payment terms. During one Black Friday rollout, my startup paid upfront for yearly workflow automation but didn't have flexibility due to quarterly budget tightness. Lesson learned: negotiate deals that align with cash flow.
Lessons for European Female Entrepreneurs
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Lean into partnerships before purchasing. Buying in bulk during Black Friday, especially items like client gifts, means engaging suppliers for loyalty points or seasonal discounts.
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Track startup-specific tools. Platforms like Canva, Figma, and Slack occasionally join Black Friday frenzy, and they’re gold for young companies that need creative and operational scalability on smaller budgets.
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Know limits. Black Friday is a flash moment, not an endless value pit. Every entrepreneur, and especially European solopreneurs juggling steep taxes, has to stay financially clear-headed.
Actionable Hacks
If you’re short on time, here’s an approach made for founders:
- Visit reputable curators. Sites like the Black Friday deals hub from NBC News and curated threads on Reddit are updated often.
- Stay mobile-ready. Apps like Rakuten for cashback ensure you save even on products you already planned to buy.
- Automate! PlayPal’s budgeting software helps integrate deal comparisons against pre-planned monthly expenses.
Final Thoughts
Black Friday isn’t just about shopping for things, it’s about strategically investing in efficiency, scalability, and tools that elevate your business. As a female founder building initiatives across disciplines like blockchain and linguistics, I can confirm one thing: thoughtful purchasing this season can position you for remarkable strides in 2024 and beyond. Let technology, paired with deals, complement the vision you already have for your business.
FAQ
1. What are the best Black Friday laptop deals for entrepreneurs?
The best deals include the MacBook Air M4 at €749 (€250 off), ideal for multitasking, and the Razer Blade 14 for €1,450, perfect for design-heavy tasks. Explore MacBook Air M4 Deals | Check out Razer Blade 14 Deals
2. Are there any smart tech deals to enhance productivity?
Yes, some notable ones include the LG G5 OLED TV at €1,997 (€997 off) for presentations and the Dyson Gen5 Detect Vacuum at €750 (€300 off) for effortless office cleaning. Browse LG G5 OLED TV Deals | See Dyson Gen5 Detect Details
3. What are the best Wi-Fi system deals for remote work setups?
The Eero Pro 6E Wi-Fi router is an excellent choice, discounted by €220, offering ultra-fast mesh technology perfect for simultaneous Zoom calls and server hosting. Learn about Eero Pro 6E
4. Are there any camera deals for content creators?
Yes, the Canon EOS M50 cameras are often included in Black Friday sales. These high-quality cameras can significantly improve video production and online content.
5. What is a good deal on a smart office security system?
You can get Arlo's Pro 5S security cameras for €85, saving €25 off the original price. They offer excellent protection for office spaces. Check out Arlo Pro 5S Deals
6. Are there any deals on productivity-boosting accessories?
Yes, the Branch Ergonomic Chair Pro is available for €400 (€100 off), great for ergonomic office setups. Explore Branch Ergonomic Chair Deals
7. What are the best deals for Black Friday-related recommendations?
For the latest curated deals, you can visit top Black Friday deal hubs like NBC's Black Friday Deals Hub or review insights on threads at Black Friday on Reddit.
8. Are there specific deals on home appliances?
Yes, a Samsung stackable washer, ideal for small businesses, is discounted to €698 from €1,149. Check Samsung Washer Deals
9. How can business owners plan their Black Friday purchases?
Prioritize tools that enhance productivity and operations, avoid overspending on ineffective tools, and consider warranties and long-term costs. Use budgeting tools like PlayPal to align purchases with cash flow needs.
10. Are there any Black Friday deals on collaboration tools?
Platforms like Canva, Figma, and Slack often participate in Black Friday with special discounts, providing cost-effective options for creative and operational scalability. Stay updated on their official websites.
About the Author
Violetta Bonenkamp, also known as MeanCEO, is an experienced startup founder with an impressive educational background including an MBA and four other higher education degrees. She has over 20 years of work experience across multiple countries, including 5 years as a solopreneur and serial entrepreneur. Throughout her startup experience she has applied for multiple startup grants at the EU level, in the Netherlands and Malta, and her startups received quite a few of those. She’s been living, studying and working in many countries around the globe and her extensive multicultural experience has influenced her immensely.
Violetta Bonenkamp's expertise in CAD sector, IP protection and blockchain
Violetta Bonenkamp is recognized as a multidisciplinary expert with significant achievements in the CAD sector, intellectual property (IP) protection, and blockchain technology.
CAD Sector:
- Violetta is the CEO and co-founder of CADChain, a deep tech startup focused on developing IP management software specifically for CAD (Computer-Aided Design) data. CADChain addresses the lack of industry standards for CAD data protection and sharing, using innovative technology to secure and manage design data.
- She has led the company since its inception in 2018, overseeing R&D, PR, and business development, and driving the creation of products for platforms such as Autodesk Inventor, Blender, and SolidWorks.
- Her leadership has been instrumental in scaling CADChain from a small team to a significant player in the deeptech space, with a diverse, international team.
IP Protection:
- Violetta has built deep expertise in intellectual property, combining academic training with practical startup experience. She has taken specialized courses in IP from institutions like WIPO and the EU IPO.
- She is known for sharing actionable strategies for startup IP protection, leveraging both legal and technological approaches, and has published guides and content on this topic for the entrepreneurial community.
- Her work at CADChain directly addresses the need for robust IP protection in the engineering and design industries, integrating cybersecurity and compliance measures to safeguard digital assets.
Blockchain:
- Violetta’s entry into the blockchain sector began with the founding of CADChain, which uses blockchain as a core technology for securing and managing CAD data.
- She holds several certifications in blockchain and has participated in major hackathons and policy forums, such as the OECD Global Blockchain Policy Forum.
- Her expertise extends to applying blockchain for IP management, ensuring data integrity, traceability, and secure sharing in the CAD industry.
Violetta is a true multiple specialist who has built expertise in Linguistics, Education, Business Management, Blockchain, Entrepreneurship, Intellectual Property, Game Design, AI, SEO, Digital Marketing, cyber security and zero code automations. Her extensive educational journey includes a Master of Arts in Linguistics and Education, an Advanced Master in Linguistics from Belgium (2006-2007), an MBA from Blekinge Institute of Technology in Sweden (2006-2008), and an Erasmus Mundus joint program European Master of Higher Education from universities in Norway, Finland, and Portugal (2009).
She is the founder of Fe/male Switch, a startup game that encourages women to enter STEM fields, and also leads CADChain, and multiple other projects like the Directory of 1,000 Startup Cities with a proprietary MeanCEO Index that ranks cities for female entrepreneurs. Violetta created the "gamepreneurship" methodology, which forms the scientific basis of her startup game. She also builds a lot of SEO tools for startups. Her achievements include being named one of the top 100 women in Europe by EU Startups in 2022 and being nominated for Impact Person of the year at the Dutch Blockchain Week. She is an author with Sifted and a speaker at different Universities. Recently she published a book on Startup Idea Validation the right way: from zero to first customers and beyond, launched a Directory of 1,500+ websites for startups to list themselves in order to gain traction and build backlinks and is building MELA AI to help local restaurants in Malta get more visibility online.
For the past several years Violetta has been living between the Netherlands and Malta, while also regularly traveling to different destinations around the globe, usually due to her entrepreneurial activities. This has led her to start writing about different locations and amenities from the POV of an entrepreneur. Here’s her recent article about the best hotels in Italy to work from.
About the Publication
Fe/male Switch is an innovative startup platform designed to empower women entrepreneurs through an immersive, game-like experience. Founded in 2020 during the pandemic "without any funding and without any code," this non-profit initiative has evolved into a comprehensive educational tool for aspiring female entrepreneurs.The platform was co-founded by Violetta Shishkina-Bonenkamp, who serves as CEO and one of the lead authors of the Startup News branch.
Mission and Purpose
Fe/male Switch Foundation was created to address the gender gap in the tech and entrepreneurship space. The platform aims to skill-up future female tech leaders and empower them to create resilient and innovative tech startups through what they call "gamepreneurship". By putting players in a virtual startup village where they must survive and thrive, the startup game allows women to test their entrepreneurial abilities without financial risk.
Key Features
The platform offers a unique blend of news, resources,learning, networking, and practical application within a supportive, female-focused environment:
- Skill Lab: Micro-modules covering essential startup skills
- Virtual Startup Building: Create or join startups and tackle real-world challenges
- AI Co-founder (PlayPal): Guides users through the startup process
- SANDBOX: A testing environment for idea validation before launch
- Wellness Integration: Virtual activities to balance work and self-care
- Marketplace: Buy or sell expert sessions and tutorials
Impact and Growth
Since its inception, Fe/male Switch has shown impressive growth:
- 5,000+ female entrepreneurs in the community
- 100+ startup tools built
- 5,000+ pieces of articles and news written
- 1,000 unique business ideas for women created
Partnerships
Fe/male Switch has formed strategic partnerships to enhance its offerings. In January 2022, it teamed up with global website builder Tilda to provide free access to website building tools and mentorship services for Fe/male Switch participants.
Recognition
Fe/male Switch has received media attention for its innovative approach to closing the gender gap in tech entrepreneurship. The platform has been featured in various publications highlighting its unique "play to learn and earn" model.
