Nelson gears up for 2nd annual Startup Weekend event

INNOVATE will hold the region’s second annual Nelson Startup Weekend on 1-3 July at Nelson Marlborough Institute of Technology’s Arts and Media building.

Google Startup Weekend was created by Techstars in the United States. Over 190,000 people have participated in the event in 150 countries around the world.

The fast-paced programme gives people the chance to try starting up a business and running it, all in the space of one weekend.

“Participants of Startup Weekend often have a great business idea or want to work for themselves, but don’t know where to start or how to execute their idea,” said Jennifer Stewart, acting manager of INNOVATE.

“In 54 hours, you will learn how to test a business idea in the market, build a team, and use startup strategies to get that business going, all while minimising risk and costs.”

On Friday night, participants are invited to pitch an idea and form a team around it, or join a team around another person’s idea. They spend the rest of the weekend developing a customer validated strategy and business plan and creating a prototype of their product or service, before presenting their work on Sunday evening.

Teams are supported by mentors with extensive regional, national and international business experience.

“If you want to gain confidence in how to set up a successful business in as risk-free a way as possible, then do Startup Weekend this July,” said Stewart.

“Your idea could be a product or service, a tech or non-tech business, or a not-for-profit enterprise. Or come along and find out how learning to think like the boss can help your career.”

Lynda Marnie, who took part in last year’s event, described it as a rollercoaster. “One of the best experiences I’ve had to cement learning. I’ve been using some of them from day one back at work and I’ll heartily recommend it to anyone else.”

INNOVATE’s acting manager Jennifer Stewart said that while Startup Weekend is primarily a learning experience, some companies formed during last year’s event have gone on to gain investment and build their products, with two planning product launches for this winter.

Andy Clover, cofounder of job-search startup Keen, said “You come out of Startup Weekend on a massive high, and that gives you legs for hours of work for months. It gives you fire.”

According to Stewart, through the act of creating a business, participants, mentors, sponsors and judges develop deeper relationships than a typical networking event.

“People find potential co-founders, key partners, mentors, validate ideas and experiment with business ideas in a risk-free, fun environment. For many, it’s their first step into entrepreneurship, but they come away with valuable connections in the community.”

Tickets to the weekend event are $99 and can be purchased online through innovatenelson.com/startupweekend/, or contact info@innovatenelson.com for more information.

INNOVATE was created by the Nelson Regional Economic Development Agency, Nelson City Council, and the Nelson Marlborough Institute of Technology to drive innovation and entrepreneurship for the prosperity of the region.

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