What Is Startup Weekend?

What is Startup Weekend?

Startup Weekend is a global network of passionate leaders and entrepreneurs on a mission to inspire, educate, and empower individuals, teams and communities. Come share ideas, form teams, and launch startups.

Startup Weekend Global Site

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du Bois Center, Northern Arizona University Campus


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Ever wondered what it takes to be an entrepreneur?

The professional and personal challenges, the high and lows, the failures and the success?

Startup Weekend is a global grassroots movement of active and empowered entrepreneurs who are learning the basics of founding startups and launching successful ventures. It is the largest community of passionate entrepreneurs with over 400 past events in 100 countries around the world in 2011.

The non-profit organization is headquartered in Seattle, Washington but Startup Weekend organizers and facilitators can be found in over 200 cities around the world. From Mongolia to South Africa to London to Brazil, people around the globe are coming together for weekend long workshops to pitch ideas, form teams, and start companies.

All Startup Weekend events follow the same basic model: anyone is welcome to pitch their startup idea and receive feedback from their peers. Teams organically form around the top ideas (as determined by popular vote) and then it’s a 54 hour frenzy of business model creation, coding, designing, and market validation. The weekends culminate with presentations in front of local entrepreneurial leaders with another opportunity for critical feedback.

Whether entrepreneurs found companies, find a cofounder, meet someone new, or learn a skill far outside their usual 9-to-5, everyone is guaranteed to leave the event better prepared to navigate the chaotic but fun world of startups. If you want to put yourself in the shoes of an entrepreneur, register now for the best weekend of your life!

Why Attend A Startup Weekend?

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 eight:

Education: 
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. Use the resources in this toolkit to help you get started: http://startupweekend.org/resources/

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 even an investor.

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 find someone you can actually launch a startup with.

Learn a new skill: 
Step outside of your comfort zone. With a whole weekend dedicated to letting your creative juices flow, Startup Weekends are perfect opportunities to work on a new platform, learn a new programming language, or just try something different.

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.

Get face time with thought leaders: 
Local tech and startup leaders participate in Startup Weekends as coaches and judges. Get some one-on-one time with the movers and shakers in your community.

Save money & get stuff:
Startup Weekends typically cost between $75 and $150 (less for students).  Your ticket covers seven meals, snack, access to exclusive resources from our sponsors, and of course, all the coffee you can drink.

Join a global community:
Join over 45,000 Startup Weekend alumni, all on a mission to change the world.

What Happens On Friday, Saturday and Sunday?

Friday
Participants arrive around 5PM, begin networking, and eat dinner. After an ice-breaking game and a short introduction by the Facilitator, there will typically be 1 short speech on practical topics ranging from Pitching Best Practices to Lean Startup Methodology and more. Then the “Pitchfire” will commence: anyone intending to pitch will have 60 seconds to give their best pitch. No presentations or props needed for Friday. It will just be you and a mic. After pitches are finished, all attendees will vote on their favorites, and using these votes the top ideas will be selected to be worked on over the weekend. Teams will form organically, consolidate, and begin working.

Saturday
Teams will work all day, with the occasional breaks to eat or listen to 1-2 short talks. Coaches will be circulating to provide concrete advice in the field of their expertise for those teams that want it.

Sunday
Teams will work uninterrupted from morning until mid-afternoon. They’ll begin wrapping up their product/prototype and/or presentation around 3:30 PM to do tech-checks and practice their demonstration. After all Judges have arrived presentations will begin: each team typically has 5 minutes plus 2-3 minutes Q&A from the jury (this varies occasionally.) The jury will select the top teams, give out prizes (if applicable), and the event ends (and celebration begins!)

Prizes

The winning team will receive 1 year of incubation in the LaunchBox Student Business Incubation program through the Northern Arizona Center for Entrepreneurship and Technology (NACET).

Parking/Food

Parking for the weekend will be free at P62 only located on Pine Knoll drive (download NAU parking_map).  This parking area is less than a 5 minute walk to du Bois where the event will take place.  Meals will be provided for free to all participants who are wearing their attendee badges. Meals will be served in the du Bois dining hall.
The du Bois center is located at:
306 E. Pine Knoll Dr.
Flagstaff, AZ 86001
Maps and directions to the du Bois center can be found here: http://home.nau.edu/dubois/duboismap.asp

Schedule

Friday

Feb 8
  • Registration Starts
  • Dinner & Networking
  • Welcome & Speakers
  • Pitches Start
  • Attendees vote for the top ideas
  • Teams start forming and discussing ideas
  • Start to formalize teams and take an inventory of skills. Be honest, and direct about what resources and skills are needed for the weekend. You may stay and work as late as the venue will allow

Saturday

Feb 9
  • Arrive, simple breakfast & coffee
  • Teams formed and setting up workspace for the weekend
  • Lunch
  • Call for needs & skills
  • Coaches help teams one-on-one. They are here to help!
  • Dinner
  • Mid weekend check-in, status reports, call for help
  • Finished for the day. You may stay and work as late as the venue will allow

Sunday

Feb 10
  • Arrive, simple breakfast & coffee
  • Call for help (this is self motivated, so don’t be shy)
  • Coaches arrive… ASK QUESTIONS
  • Lunch
  • Gut check. Start prepping for presentations
  • FINAL PRESENTATIONS
  • Judging & awards
  • Wrapup
  • Go home!
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Speaker

Demi Wetzel

Demi Wetzel is a die hard Startup Weekend enthusiast. She has participated in every possible way during an event. Startup Weekend changed her life in 2012 and helped her take part in numerous entrepreneurial activities and projects. Demi recently drove 2,000 miles across the country to work at Startup Weekend headquarters in Seattle, Washington.

Judges

Russ Yelton

President & CEO, Northern Arizona Center for Entrepreneurship and Technology

Russ Yelton received his Bachelor’s in Management from Appalachian State University and his MBA from Western Carolina University where he has also completed coursework towards his doctorate. Russ is a serial entrepreneur who, besides starting various companies, has been in incubation management for more than five years. In his previous career he worked with a community college to convert an abandoned 141,000 sq ft manufacturing facility into a mixed use incubator consisting of an FDA approved commercial food kitchen, biotechnology research labs, light manufacturing and executive offices. The program also developed agreements with seven incubators in six foreign countries which lead to its recognition by the National Business Incubation Association as the second most innovative program in the world in 2008. Yelton has served as both President and Vice-President of the North Carolina Business Incubation Association, Chair of the Mountain South Incubator Alliance and currently serves on the board of directors of the National Business Incubation Association as well as several others.

Art Babbott

Coconino County Supervisor, District 1

Art is a small business owner and elected official who has lived in Flagstaff for 15 years. Art has started several business including owning and operating the Flagstaff Community Markets, one of the top grossing farmers markets in the State. He was also a principal in TOP,LLC which renovated, re-opened and operated the historic Orpheum Theater in Flagstaff as well as Pine Mountain Amphitheater at Ft Tuthill County Park. Art also served on for 6 years on Flagstaff City Council and is currently serving as Coconino County Supervisor for District 1.

Marc Chopin

Professor, W.A. Franke College of Business

Marc has more than ten years experience working with Louisiana Tech University and Northern Arizona University to manage university owned intellectual properties. Marc has served as an advisor to numerous start-up companies through his role as Assoc. Director of the Center for Entrepreneurship and Information Technology at Louisiana Tech University and as a member of the Board and selection committee at the Northern Arizona Center for Entrepreneurship and Technology (NACET).

Marc was born in Sydney, Australia. After leaving Sydney, the family raised cattle and quarter horses for several years in southeast Queensland, Australia prior to immigrating to the United States. The family arrived in Plano, Texas in December of 1975 and received US citizenship in 1983. Marc attended the University of Texas at Austin and Texas A&M University, earning a bachelor’s and doctoral degrees in economics. Following graduate studies Marc taught finance at the University of North Texas, and then as a faculty member and administrator at Louisiana Tech University and Northern Arizona University.

Marc served NAU as Dean of The W.A. Franke College of Business and is currently NACET’s Chairman of the Board. Marc has been actively involved in efforts to commercialize university based intellectual property and help start-up businesses grow since approximately 2002. Marc currently serves as President of the board of the Northern Arizona Center for Entrepreneurship and Technology and has served as a member and of the board since 2006.

Coaches

Tommy O'Connor

Marketing and Advertising Coach   |  

Tommy and his wife, Danielle, own the Flagstaff design studio We Are William. Tommy has 13 years of design, branding, marketing and advertising experience. Having held positions throughout his career as varied as Art Director for the Hard Rock Hotel in Las Vegas to most recently the Marketing Director for the iconic Tucson-based restaurant chain, eegee’s - where he managed a four-person team and completely rebranded the 40 year-old company. In starting We Are William last year, Tommy and Danielle’s focus is working with Flagstaff businesses to help them become more marketable and successful - making the Flagstaff local economy healthier and more sustainable in the process.

Bryan McLaren

Sustainability Coach   |  LinkedInGoogle+

Bryan McLaren is originally from Ontario, Canada. After completing his undergraduate studies at the University of San Diego focusing on business, ethics, and environmental studies, he moved to Northern Arizona to complete a Masters degree in Sustainability. Currently Bryan works as the Campus Sustainability Manager at NAU. His primarily responsibilities include operational management and strategic development for the Office of Sustainability. An avid triathlete, Bryan spends most of his free time swimming in a pool somewhere, biking the peaks, or running on one of the many gorgeous trails of Northern Arizona.

Cindy Wilson

Graphic Design Coach

With a strong background in Workforce Development as a Certified Workforce Development Professional, Cindy looks forward to inspiring and developing the talents of new entrepreneurs. She currently works with the public and employers to strengthen the local economy in Northern Arizona. She seeks to help people identify and instill their passions into the work and careers that matter most to them.

Aaron Dragushan

Entrepreneur

Aaron bootstrapped his first business 17 years ago with credit cards. His latest company is FastCustomer, a technology startup that lets you reach a real person in customer service at any major company without waiting on hold. Previous companies include Wondermill.com (ongoing), Supertaf (acquired 2006) and Ask500People (acquired 2012).

Aaron's companies and products have been used by millions of people and have been featured on CNN, TIME magazine, The NYTimes, The Wall Street Journal, The Washington Post, USA Today, WIRED, ABC, CBS and NBC.

Aaron believes in shipping products early and iterating quickly. Top priority is learning and speed of execution, rather than perfection.

Aaron advises startups on funding, hiring, growth strategy and the underrated importance of company culture. Aaron lives in Flagstaff with his wife and 3 ankle biters.

John Stigmon

Business and Real Estate Dev.

John Stigmon, a 11 year Flagstaff resident and business owner, is Vice President at the Economic Collaborative of Northern Arizona (ECoNA). He was a member of the staff at the City of Flagstaff for 3 years last serving as Economic Development Manager.

During the past 35 years, John has been active in almost every facet of business and real estate development. As an entrepreneur, he co-founded the first American Indian owned franchise company, and later established a specialty executive coaching and consulting practice advising in business start-up, business expansion and organizational development. As a corporate executive, he has lead the marketing, operations, expansion and real estate development in the US and in 16 foreign countries, for a variety of US companies.

In 2000, he sold the hospitality company he co-founded and moved to Flagstaff with his wife and two children in order to live in close knit community. Until joining the City, John had been active in his executive coaching business, local real estate and business brokerage. He has been an adviser to the Center for American Indian Economic Development at Northern Arizona University, and active in Business Advisory Services, a community of leading Arizona business owners, as well as many community and professional organizations.

He is currently a member of the Board of Directors for the Hopi Tribe Economic Development Corporation and Boys and Girls Club of Flagstaff.

"I love contributing to the local economic development process and bringing my 35 years of experience to Flagstaff.”

Darryl Brown

Darryl Brown is owner and operator of 2b design and development, inc in downtown Flagstaff. He received an B.S. Degree in Engineering at Northern Arizona University and followed that with a M.S. in Computer Science at the University of Oregon in 1993. His career has covered many domains including researching parallel programming and super computing, scientific data visualization, deploying the first 911 call routing application for the Wireless Intelligent Network (on AT&T), leading the development of a high frequency automated (Black Box) trading system, and finally running his company since 2001. He and his team at 2b design specialize in Web Applications, Mobile Applications and Web Design.

Todd Snowden

Mr. Snowden joined PathoGene in February 2010 as President, charged with raising funds and driving the growth of the company. Most recently Todd was President and CEO of Ascent Business Advisors, a consulting firm focused on commercialization strategies for biotechnology and medical device companies, developing value propositions and strategies that deliver high margin revenue.

Prior to Ascent, Todd has 25 years of experience in sales, business development, product management, sales and marketing management, and general business management roles primarily in medical diagnostics, medical laboratory services and medical device companies ranging in size from start-up to Fortune 500.

Todd received his Bachelors Degree in Bioengineering from the Catholic University of America.

Organizers
Annette Zinky
Stacy Fobar
Bryan McLaren
Kevin Ordean
Cindy Wilson
Katy Geary
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