Live in DC? Have an idea for a startup? You might want to check out Startup Weekend. It’s an innovative program for young entrepreneurs, and it’s coming to DC this November 15 – 17.
Startup Weekend is a non-profit based in Seattle, Washington, created by the Kauffman foundation, which holds “startup weekends” in cities across the nation. Their mission? Promoting entrepreneurship.
The workshop lasts for 54 hours, featuring competitions meant to help local entrepreneurs polish their problem statements, build prototypes, find potential customers, and create a presentation–all in the space of a single weekend.
The events begin on Friday, November 17, with a 6:30pm registration and 7pm dinner and networking session. After the dinner, experienced entrepreneurs will deliver a series of speeches to launch the event, and then participants themselves will take over, with a series of strictly timed 1 minute pitches. Teams will form organically around the 15 most popular pitches, and work begins right away, with help from experienced mentors brought in by Startup Weekend. After bonding and forming a plan of action, the teams spend Saturday building toward a series of final presentations on Sunday. One winner is chosen on Sunday night, while the festivities and presentations continue.
Startup Weekend might be a nonprofit, but that doesn’t mean it’s free. Since “early bird” tickets expired last month, tickets are running for $99 each. But that includes 7 meals and snacks and access to the venue. For anybody in the DC area interested in entrepreneurship, it sounds like an interesting way to meet people, explore ideas, and get things done. And you can do it all in time to get back to work on Monday.