Do you have an idea for a product, technology, or service? Are you ready to share your idea with others for the opportunity to bring it to market? If so, then mark your calendar for Nov. 6-8 for Startup Weekend Snohomish.
The event is a 54-hour collaboration for budding Snohomish County entrepreneurs to bring their ideas forward, work with other enterprising community members, expert coaches and judges to move a concept or product closer to market over the course of the weekend. Startup Weekend is open to anyone in the community who registers.
Throughout the weekend there is a paring down process of ideas, and participants coalesce around just a few concepts to as the focus of their time and effort. Participants whose ideas rise to the top leave with a strong business case, better network of local experts and potentially access to start up funding.
Unlike competitive events like NBC’s “Shark Tank,” show, even those whose ideas are not moved forward gain invaluable knowledge about building a startup and connect with a local business network. The primary focus of the weekend is an experiential learning experience to better prepare aspiring entrepreneurs for startup and success.
Startup Weekends are taking off around the country and globally. To date, more than 1,800 Startup Weekends have taken place in nearly 800 cities around the globe with more than 125,000 participants. On the same weekend as our local events, budding entrepreneurs in South Africa, New Zealand and Minnesota will be creating and building new businesses.
The national Startup Weekend organization is based in Seattle and is supported by companies like Google, Coca-Cola and Intuit. The Snohomish Start Up weekend is being led by the City of Snohomish Economic Development Committee and hosted by Snohomish High School.
Debbie Emge, Economic Development Manager for the City of Snohomish, is leading the organization of the event.
“Snohomish knows that entrepreneurship is the best way to improve our economy, so we are excited to host Startup Weekend to showcase our offerings to entrepreneurs from technical support, affordable office space, available workforce and a great all-around quality of life for entrepreneurs and their employees,” Emge said.
Startup Weekend Snohomish starts on Friday night with a casual dinner and a keynote address from Chris Chung, the CEO and cofounder of Motiga, a locally grown online PC game studio. Right away entrepreneurs will launch into their pitches, the best ideas will be voted on and teams will be assigned by the end of the evening. After full days of work with coaches and team members, judging and awards will take place on Sunday evening.
To register, go to www.up.co/commuunities/usa/snohomish/startup-weekend/5449. The $99 registration ($75 early bird until Sept. 30!) includes participation in the event, meals and snacks and use of the fantastic facilities at the school. Students can participate for a discounted rate of $39.
Our community is a hotbed for innovation and entrepreneurship. Whether you have an idea you are ready to share with others, or just want to get a crash course in the startup process, register today and join this fantastic local event.
Ryan Davis is dean of Business and Applied Technology at Everett Community College.
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