What is Startup Weekend?

Startup Weekend is a 54 hour startup event that provides networking, resources, and incentives for individuals and teams to go from idea to launch. Get together with local developers, innovators and entrepreneurs. Build Community. Start Companies. No Talk. All Action.

Sponsors

The Gist·Founded in June of 2007 with the first event in Boulder, Colorado·Presence in 87 cities and 24 countries and growing with every event·Over 5,000 attendees in first 24 months·Planned 75+ events and 10,000+ attendees in 2010·30% of teams are still active·5% of teams have received funding (TwitPay $1M a month ago).·Teams have demoed at Web2.0, TechCrunch 50, SXSW, among others·Some teams have been generating revenue as soon as Sunday evening·Goal is to build community, network, learn new skills and have FUN!

Pitching·2 minutes to pitch·Say your name and background ·Start with the problem you want to solve·Keep it within the scope of the weekend. We can’t build an electric car for example.·Identify what you need to solve it (developer, designer, and database expert).·Talk to others about your idea, gauge interest level. ·Be prepared to join another team if your idea isn’t chosen.

Wi-Fi etc·SSID – guests·Password – startupweekend·Twitter - #swven·Project management·http://tryzipline.com/startupweekend

Demos on Sunday·Pure demo is ideal·Augment with powerpoint, videos, anything is fair game.

DO:

6 Minutes to present 4 Minute Q&A

-Outline the problem you set out to solve

-Show as much of a demo as you can to solve that problem

-Discuss what your revenue model is (one simple slide is enough)

-Keep it interesting, get the audience excited about your solution.

Avoid:

-Text heavy slides

-Going over time

-Rambling on

After the WeekendSome teams DIE, some raise angel and VC investment.

-Keep meeting and working on the project.

-For teams that have a viable product worry about equity down the road.

-I advise teams to set goals and a time horizon to distribute equity in the future. For example our business developers will be responsible for making a business plan in the next month).

-After the weekend the work is just beginning.

-Keep in touch on other projects.

Pictures of Past Events

Past Startups

Learn That Namehttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bLvmP2mZMg8&feature=player_embedded

My Search Kick

FriendMosaic

Twit-Pay.me

Foodspotting

Mugasha

Skribit