Startup Weekend

Posted by swmi

Hey –

Just a quick update to let you know the event preparations are rolling along successfully. Sponsors are signing up (see the sidebar on this page), people are registering, and we are planning out all the details for the weekend.

Note that you do need to register here on the site to get your ticket and gain entrance to the event.

We’re looking forward to a busy weekend!

Posted by swmi

Hey Folks –

Thanks for coming out to the Townhall meeting last night. Here are some clarifications that we wanted to post as a result of the conversations that went on:

1. You don’t need a business idea to attend.
We’re looking for people with ideas and people interested in helping others with their idea. Not everyone has to pitch.

2. Not every idea will get worked on.
If you have an idea and pitch it on Friday night, there is no guarantee that your idea will get worked on. It’s simply a numbers issue – we don’t expect to have enough people to make up teams for every idea.

So – if you have an idea, your #1 job is to figure out how to explain it in 2-3 minutes in a way that gets other people excited about working on it.

3. If your idea isn’t chosen, stick around.
No need to go home feeling defeated – part of starting business is using every event — positive or negative — as a learning opporunity. Stick around, be part of the event, network, take advantage of the available resources to find out how to improve your idea or your presentation of your idea for future opportunities.

4. Ultimately the weekend isn’t a contest where the Sunday presentations are judged by investors and a winner awarded a prize.
You do need to get chosen on Friday night – but past that “winning” is having your idea worked on by smart enthusiastic people from the area. Yes – we are trying very hard to have local investors present but more for feedback or input. We’re not saying you couldn’t end up with financial backing coming out of the weekend – but we just can’t promise anything.

5. There are no restraints on business/idea types.
We expect that most of them will naturally be technology-related but there are no restraints or rules in the types of businesses or ideas that can be pitched.

6. Results can’t be predicted.
Since we don’t know the types of ideas that will be pitched, the state of those ideas (freshly hatched in the car on the way over or already in development with a business plan), the exact skillset of who will show up, or how productive people will be during the weekend, we can’t predict or define the results. Our goal is to get these companies launched or as close to launched as possible.

Posted by swmi

Coming to the TownHall meeting tonight? Here’s what we need and will be looking for input on:

People:
We want to ensure we get a wide variety of skillsets represented in the people who show up. If you know someone who is enthusiastic about the work they do – be it IP law, financial plannning, project management, copywriting, sales, operations, information architecture, design, content management, product design – tell them their attendance is mandatory. Let’s show the world the talent we have here in West Michigan!

Money
Yes – it’s true: there is a cost to put this event on. We are currently in need of $6000.00 in sponsorship money. The costs are mainly food, but we also have to pay the parent Startup Weekend organization. Details on sponsorship can be found at http://wmi.startupweekend.org/sponsors/ – if you know any one we should be contacting please let us know.

Food
We have six meals to arrange over the course of the weekend, plus snacks and beverages. If you know of providers that offer reasonably priced but still tasty food options we’d like to hear about them.

Posted by swmi

If you’re interested in StartupWeekend West Michigan come out to the Townhall Meeting on January 26th @6:00 at The Factory coworking facility in Grand Rapids. Make sure to RSVP on the Facebook Page.

Posted by swmi

StartupWeekend — West Michigan. What’s the skinny?

Who

Us. You. Your friend. Well – if you or your friend is a highly motivated developer, business manager, startup enthusiast, marketing guru, or graphic artist. Or – forget the title. If you love being part of a group of motivated people making new stuff then you’re who.

What

A 48 hour event that builds communities, companies and projects.

Where

The Factory – coworking space
38 W. Fulton St. 3rd floor
Grand Rapids, MI

When

6:00 PM on February 26th – to 4:30PM on February 28th.

Why

Why not?

OK – how about networking, team building, learning, and life changes and community change?

How

Lots of legwork. Emails. Basecamp. Late nights. Making stuff up. And — some great sponsors. Be a part of it!