Past event…

Event Ended

1871 - 222 West Merchandise Mart Plaza, 12th floor, Chicago, IL 60654

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!

Schedule

Friday

Apr 19
  • 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

Apr 20
  • 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

Apr 21
  • Arrive, simple breakfast & coffee
  • Call for help (this is self motivated, so don’t be shy)
  • Lunch
  • Coaches help teams one-on-one. They are here to help!
  • Gut check. Start prepping for presentations
  • FINAL PRESENTATIONS
  • Judging & awards
  • Wrapup
  • Go home!
Platinum Sponsors
Gold Sponsors
Judges

Troy Henikoff

Managing Director   |  

TechStars Chicago.

Mig Reyes

Designer   |  

37signals.

Jill Salzman

Founder   |  

The Founding Moms

Neal Sales-Griffin

CEO   |  

The Starter League

Silver Sponsors
Coaches

David Kadavy

Mentor at 500 Startups   |  

Sonal Mane

Startup Evangelist at Microsoft   |  

Rick Desai

Co-Founder of DashFire   |  

Ryan Wynia

Founder & Design Visioneer at Firebone   |  

Stella Fayman

Co-Founder of Matchist   |  

Jimmy Odom

Founder & CEO of WeDeliver   |  

David Enarson

Digital Strategist at August Jackson   |  

Chris Ina

UX Architect at Manifest Digital

Media Sponsors
Organizers
Adam Haun
Chris Campbell
Chris McKeever
Kit Mueller
Becky Rother
Kirk Lashley
Andy Abbott
Blog

Looking for a Co-Founder?

by adamhaun

You’re in luck!  We’ve partnered with CoFoundersLab, a company dedicated to better facilitating co-founder matchmaking for entrepreneurs!  Whether you’re looking to [...]

Meet the Teams

by swforrest

With over 60 people pitching their ideas last night at Excelerate Labs, we have ended up with 13 awesome ideas. [...]

Q&A with Brian Wong

by swforrest

Explain your venture kiip. Kiip is a rewards network that allows you to play any mobile game and win rewards. [...]

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