With over 60 people pitching their ideas last night at Excelerate Labs, we have ended up with 13 awesome ideas. Check out what they up to, and make sure to follow us @swideasweek to stay up to date!   HashBanged Companies post video challenges. Users submit video responses. Companies them announce winners and the resulting [...]

Startup Weekend Ideas Week starts today with the doors opening at 5:30pm for registration and pizza at Excelerate Labs in downtown Chicago! We’re super excited to welcome all the participants, mentors, judges, and speakers for this weekend event. Some last minute tips as you’re heading your way here: – Don’t forget to bring your laptop, [...]

Most entrepreneurs are crazy. You have to be to believe in something enough to make it your (often life) mission. That’s a long time. Whoa, whoa, whoa. But hold on– Startup Weekend Ideas Week is launching startups in 54 hours. That’s a lot of reality show waiting to happen. Unfortunately we don’t have Snooki as [...]

Explain your venture kiip. Kiip is a rewards network that allows you to play any mobile game and win rewards. We leverage advertisers on achievement moments and give brands opportunity to reward consumers in those particular moments. How does the “moments” model kiip supports differ from traditional advertising? The moments model leverages new factor of [...]

This has been a busy month for the likes of Brad Keywell. Mediabank announces a merger, Chicago Ideas Week is getting ready to launch, and Groupon continues to drive innovation into Chicago. Just a day in the life of an entrepreneur, and we are excited to announce Keywell will be joining as a featured speaker alongside [...]

As a friendly reminder: For university students looking to participate in the event, applications are due on October 5th. If you’re a student and are interested in attending the event, please fill out the student application at http://bit.ly/swiwapp. The October 5th deadline to apply is fast approaching, so if you haven’t already apply now! -SW [...]

Startup Weekend Ideas Week October 14-16, 2011, Excelerate Labs 820 West Jackson Blvd Suite 700 Chicago, IL 60661 Friday 5:30pm-Sunday 9pm Friday: 5:30 pm – Registration starts (pizza served) 6:30 pm – Kickoff talk with Troy Henikoff 7:00 pm – Pitches Begin – (60 seconds per person) 8:15 pm – Attendees vote for the top [...]

Excited to attend Startup Weekend Ideas Week? Here’s how you can snag a ticket. Non-Student Participants: Buy a ticket now at swideasweek.eventbrite.com! There is a limited number so get yours now! University Students: We know your pockets are tight, so we’re offering a reduced price ticket of $35. To ensure we’ve got a good range [...]

We’re excited to announce that Startup Weekend is coming to Chicago yet again this fall for Startup Weekend Ideas Week! Hosted at Excelerate Labs, SW Ideas Week will focus on connecting talented college students from around the midwest, and providing young entrepreneurs an unforgettable hands on entrepreneurial experience. To add a sprinkle of experience to [...]

We are excited to see you tomorrow at the ITA at 200 S Wacker, 15th Floor. You will need a photo ID to checkin with building security. Doors will open at 4:30pm. Dinner and networking will start at 5:30pm and we will kick things officially at 6:30pm sharp. Have you told your friends that you’re [...]