Startup Weekends are weekend events which model entrepreneurship in a fun, interactive and results driven way. ICT talents and enthusiasts, work in teams to produce demos and draft business models to commercialize ideas and learn entrepreneurship!
Startup Weekends are weekend-long, hands-on experiences where entrepreneurs, be those who already have started their business, or aspiring entrepreneurs who just have ideas, will find a place to test their (crazy) ideas, find out if startup ideas are viable, talk to peers and find potential partners.
This project aims to bring in a vibe of ‘can do’ attitude, create and strengthen an entrepreneur’s community, and build a platform for communication. Participants are challenged with building functional startups and are able to collaborate with like-minded individuals outside of their daily networks.
Beginning with Friday afternoon pitches, attendees bring their best ideas and inspire others to join their team. The weekend progresses with a focus on customer development, idea validation, LEAN Startup Methodologies implementation and building a minimal viable product. Startup Weekends culminate Sunday night when participants present their demos to a panel of potential investors and local entrepreneurs. On average, half of Startup Weekend’s attendees have technical backgrounds, the other half have business backgrounds.
Why attend a Startup Weekend event?
Call us biased, but we think that there are dozens of reasons why you should come to a Startup Weekend! Since we know your time is valuable, we’ll only list the top ten:
Learning Experience:
Startup Weekends are all about learning through the act of creating. Don’t just listen to theory, build your own strategy and test it as you go. It is about validating ideas and experimenting in a risk-free environment, and for many, it’s about taking the first step into entrepreneurship.
Actually launch a business:
Over 36% of Startup Weekend startups are still going strong after 3 months. Roughly 80% of participants plan on continuing working with their team or startup after the weekend.
Build your network:
This isn’t just a happy-hour. Startup Weekend attracts your community’s best makers and do-ers. By spending a weekend working to build scalable companies that solve real-world problems, you will build long-lasting relationships and possibly walk away with a job or a even an investor.
Get face time with thought leaders:
Local tech and startup leaders participate in Startup Weekends as mentors and judges. Get some one-on-one time with the movers and shakers in your community.
Co-Founder Dating:
We all know it’s not just about the idea – it’s about the team. Startup Weekend is hands down the best way to to find someone you can actually launch a startup with.
Save money & get stuff:
Your ticket covers five meals, snack, access to exclusive resources from our global sponsors and all the coffee you can drink.
Learn a new skill:
Step outside of your comfort zone. With a whole weekend dedicated to letting your creative juices flow, Startup Weekends are prefect opportunities to work on a new platform, learn a new programming language, or just try something different.
Join a global community:
Join over 30,000 Startup Weekend alumni, all on a mission to change the world.
More Questions? Check out the FAQ
