Startup Weekend returns to Sioux Falls with chance for quick business launch

 

Ideas can become businesses in the span of 48 hours with support from others in the community at an event next weekend.

Startup Weekend will be Nov 10-12 at the Zeal Center for Entrepreneurship.

Kristina Johnson, an account strategist at Click Rain and four-time Startup Weekend organizer, shares more about what entrepreneurs can expect from the event.

Kristina Johnson

Who should consider participating in Startup Weekend?

Anyone who enjoys working as a team, learning new skills and great local food — we provide meals from local spots all weekend long! We’ve had participants at all stages of life: college students, business owners and entrepreneurs. Participants don’t have to have an idea to take part in the event either­ — you can pitch an idea you have or join a team.

How does it actually work?

Each Startup Weekend is structured the same way. On Friday night, individuals pitch their idea, which can be anything from an app or website to a physical business­. The most popular ideas have groups form around them, usually consisting of a developer, designer and marketing/business person. From there, the teams work together the rest of the weekend on building a product, proving the need for the product through research and preparing their presentation to present to a panel of local judges on Sunday night.

What should be done to prepare ahead of Startup Weekend?

If you have an idea that you’ve been mulling, it’s preferred that you haven’t worked on it in advance. That way your team has a chance to work on it together from the ground floor up. So preparation for the event is actually pretty minimal ­­­­— charge your computer and get a good night’s sleep!

What kind of resources will be there to help?

We’re really fortunate to have supportive people in the community to serve as coaches throughout the weekend. We bring in volunteers who are design, development and business leaders to help bounce ideas off of, pitch in for last-minute help and share their expertise.

What kind of success stories have come out of Sioux Falls Startup Weekend?

We’ve had nearly 20 companies launch over the past three Startup Weekends, but none of them are still working on their ideas. On another level, I think of all the connections that people have made as success stories — college students who were able to meet and work with established professionals, or established professionals who branched outside of their 9-to-5 to try something new.

To register, click here.

Startup Weekend is sponsored by DocuTap, Midco, Falls Angel Fund, Lemonly, Click Rain, Zeal and Fire Bros Fireworks.

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Startup Weekend returns to Sioux Falls with chance for quick business launch

Ideas can become businesses in the span of 48 hours with support from others in the community at an event next weekend.

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