This January come join other innovative, ambitious, and talented people from all over the region to take on the challenge of turning an idea into a business in a weekend. Come with your own idea ready to pitch or work on someone else's idea.
Ever wonder what it takes to be an entrepreneur? The professional and personal challenges, the highs and lows, the failures and successes?
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 over 100 countries around the world in 2011.
The non-profit organization is headquarted 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 mode. Beginning with open mic pitches on Friday, attendees are encouraged to bring their best ideas and inspire others to join their team. Teams oganically formed around the top ideas (as deemed by popular vote) and then its a 54 hour frenzy of business model creation, coding, designing, and market validation. On Sunday evening, teams demo their prototypes in front of local entrepreneurial leaders with another opportunity for critical feedback.
Starup Weekends are specifically designed for entrepreneurs interested in receiving feedback on an idea, looking for a co-founder, and those who want to learn new skills. We welcome anyone looking to test the entrepreneurial waters. Startup Weekends are risk-free environments where everyone is expected to roll up their sleeves and dive into the exhilarating world of startups.
Attendees of Startup Weekend Monterey Bay:
--Get to pitch their ideas to the group
--Join teams for the top ideas and spend all weekend developing those ideas: business model creation, coding, designing, and market validation
--Learn-by-doing, the best way to get insights into what it takes to create a startup
--Are fed to keep them going during the weekend (lots of caffeinated drinks too)
--Have access to coaches to help them
--Will listen to inspirational and educational speakers during the "breaks"
--Can present to a panel of judges and could win prizes
--Could be part of a team that continues its development beyond Startup Weekend Monterey Bay
--Get to hang out with the brightest and most interesting people in the Monterey Bay region
--Sleep a lot on the Monday after the intense weekend
SCHEDULE
Friday, Jan 25
4:00pm Registration Starts
4:30pm Startup Weekend Introduction: How to Kick Ass at Starup Weekend
6:00pm Dinner & Networking
7:20pm Welcome & Speakers
7:30pm Pitches Start
9:00pm Attendees vote for the top ideas
9:15pm Teams start forming and discussing ideas
10:00pm 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, Jan 26
8:00am Arrive, simple breakfast & coffee
9:30am Teams formed and setting up workspace for the weekend
12:00pm Lunch
1:00pm Call for needs & skills
2:00pm Coaches help teams one-on-one. They are here to help!
6:30pm Dinner
7:30pm Mid weekend check-in, status reports, call for help
10:00pm Finished for the day. You may stay and work as late as the venue will allow
Sunday, Jan 27
8:00am Arrive, simple breakfast & coffee
10:00am Call for help (this is self motivated, so don’t be shy)
12:00pm Lunch
12:30pm Coaches arrive… ASK QUESTIONS
3:00pm Gut check. Start prepping for presentations
4:00pm Dinner
5:00pm FINAL PRESENTATIONS
7:30pm Judging & awards
8:30pm Wrapup
9:00pm Go home!
