Startup Weekend

Posted by swmi

Hey All –

Mark your calendars for Tuesday June 8th 6-8PM back at The Factory (38 West Fulton
Suite 320 Grand Rapids, MI 49503).

We’re planning a 4-month StartupWMI checkup/reunion – an excuse to get back together and see where people have progressed with their ideas.

And – we had some sponsor money left over. So we’re offering a $500 prize to the business who has shown the most progress since Startup Weekend.

Get cracking!

Posted by swmi

Read “instigator” Michael Boyink’s wrap-up of the weekend on Boyink.com: Startup Weekend West Michigan Wrapup

Posted by swmi

Thanks to Carl Furrow!

Posted by Marc Nager

What a weekend! We started with 18 ideas on Friday and demoed 8 new ventures on Sunday. Thanks to everyone for the amazing energy, passion, and commitment to making this a successful weekend for everyone. It’s true that with enough caffeine, some food, and too little sleep, you can still accomplish more than you would ever imagine possible until you get down and dirty Startup Weekend style.

Before I get some sleep myself, I wanted to post a quick re-cap of the 8 teams who presented tonight in the order they went:

1. 24/7 Healthnet.com – an online service that efficiently brings doctors and patients together by booking open appointments with local physicians.

2. Michigan Film Reel - @mifilmreel – “We’re just a couple of film and video geeks who get excited about making movies here in Michigan. We love this business and want to help you get involved and stay up to date on the latest news and industry chat.”

3. Jaiplace.com – @jaiplace – “JaiPlace’s mission is to offer the highest quality information, products, services, media, education and experiences that lead individuals and groups towards their highest potential.”

4. PennyPlanner.com – @pennyplanner – An amazing tool that helps people manage their expenses on a day to day basis. It is built as a platform that will allow various type of users to utilize in custom and convenient ways to help plan, project, and keep track of expenses. Will be launching April1st.

5. LocalGR.com – @local_gr – The ultimate downtown Grand Rapids Guide. Eat, Drink, Shop Grand Rapids.

6. EchoTask.com – @echotask – “Automate your life. Getting things done has never been easier.” A great application for managing tasks and coordinating them in any number of various ways with others.

7. LegallyBlog.net – “Customize your content. Connect with your clients.” Providing custom blog content for lawfirms that can’t afford not to use this service.

8. Mars Global Initiative – Facebook – “In 1962, President Kennedy challenged us to go to the moon. In 2010, we are using the Internet and social networking to crowd source going to Mars! One charismatic leader (old model) to NOW all of us together … (new model). Let’s go to Mars!!”

Posted by Startup Weekend Crew

Great speech this afternoon from Bill Oechsler. We thank him for coming out.

The topic was about Bill’s “F-Words” which I tried to capture most of. There are a few that I grabbed a bit more information from:

- Fast & Furious – Living in the delivery room, not in the graveyard.

- Flexible – travel down the road less traveled. Take advantage of the opportunities that are presented to you.

- Failure – the road isnt straight, there are progressions, setbacks, and unexpected turns.

-Family – You always make time for family. These are the people that get you through the obstacles and opportunities.

- Forward – Keep driving forward. Don’t settle.

- Fear – not getting what you want, but wanting what you have.

- Other F words that Bill tied into the story of how he got to where he is and what is important: Faith, Feature, Favor, Fun, Fulfilled.

Posted by swmi

We had 18 total pitches and about 40 people make it out last night for day 1 of Startup Weekend.

More photos from Day one.

Day 2? Get focus and DO.

Posted by Startup Weekend Crew

It was an amazing showing last night, and 18 ideas were pitched, and here they are with the person that pitched it. There were 8 ideas initially selected which are in Bold.

Posted by Marc Nager

I just want to say thank you to our sponsors. Please take a few minutes to check them out, and look for them at the event. Along with all of our contributing sponsors, these community members are the ones that make this event happen and keep it cheap!

The Big Red Group:

“We are a business development and strategies company, your resource for launching or expanding a business. From concept to company, from prototype to product, from dream to demand. In some cases, Big Red becomes your business partner for a period of time while you get off the ground. In March 2010 we will open the Big Red Workspace, creating a cluster of entrepreneurs in the heart of downtown Holland.”

Momemtum:

“Momentum is a venture firm investing in web based technology start ups. We’re people who get excited about great ideas and new technology. There are millions like us, and we’re creating reasons for them to stay in Michigan. We’re what every good idea needs at the start: Passionate geeks with a purpose.”

AimWest:

“aimWest is a nonprofit professional association that supports and promotes the growth of the interactive and technology industries throughout West Michigan.”

Grand Valley State University:

“Grand Valley State University can guide you in the process of turning your dreams into a feasible and profitable career. Make your life’s passion a reality by developing your individual ideas, and putting them into action!”

Smith Haughey Law:

“Legal Ease” That’s what Smith Haughey Rice & Roegge is all about. We pride ourselves on delivering more than superior legal services. We strive to make our clients feel comfortable and in control as we guide them through legal complexities. While our goal is to achieve a successful outcome, we also want to make every step toward that outcome as comfortable, efficient, and easy as possible.”

Express Pros

“For over 25 years, the mission of Express Employment Professionals has been to help people find jobs and help businesses find the people and human resource services they need. We accomplish this mission through a network of nearly 600 employment agencies in the United States, Canada, South Africa, and Australia. Each Express office is locally owned and operated and backed by the expertise and support of an international headquarters. Simply put, Express is large enough to meet your needs, yet small enough to care.”

Gleq

The Great Lakes Entrepreneur’s Quest aspires to be an engine for the formation of new, high-growth companies in Michigan.

Microsoft

Everyone knows what Microsoft does, but be sure to check out their BizSpark program. Startup Weekend is an official partner, and can help get you connected with Microsoft resources to launch your startup.

Posted by swmi

Thanks to Microsoft for sponsoring Startup Weekend West Michigan!