No Talk, All Action. Launch a Startup in 54 hours!
Maui Economic Development Board is seeking entrepreneurs to participate in this year’s Startup Weekend Maui, which it is presenting Friday, May 13 through Sunday, May 15. This empowering event will provide active entrepreneurs with an opportunity to learn how to launch a company in 54 hours. The event will be held at the Maui Research and Technology Park in Kihei, Maui; starting at MEDB’s Malcolm Center at 1305 N. Holopono Street, Suite 5.
In just one weekend, participants will experience the highs, lows, fun, and pressure that make up life at a startup. Surrounded by smart, passionate people and with the best tools and approaches at their disposal, they’ll take giant leaps in learning skills to create a business, work on a startup team, and connect with the right people and resources. Ultimately, it will be an unforgettable weekend that will put everyone on the pathway to success.
In preparation for the Startup Weekend, MEDB is offering two free workshops:
• Business Model Canvas and Lean Startup Overview on Thursday, May 5; and
• Pitch Bootcamp on Tuesday, May 10.
These sessions provide an opportunity to prepare for and/or learn more about Startup Weekend.
Both workshops will be held at MEDB’s Malcolm Center at 1305 North Holopono Street, Kihei, from 5 pm to 8 pm.
The Business Model Canvas and Lean Startup Overview (May 5) will present a template for developing new or documenting existing business models. Led by the winning team of Sultan Ventures and XLR8UH, this crash course will offer a powerful visual management tool outlining elements of a firm’s or product’s value proposition, its customers, and finances. The resulting data will help you align and evaluate your business activities by recognizing potential tradeoffs in a much easier and effective way – important information for any entrepreneur.
The Pitch Bootcamp (May 10) will bring community entrepreneurs together to perfect their startup pitches and receive feedback from peers and mentors. Participants will also gain helpful tips on crafting a strong 60-second pitch for their startup idea and have an opportunity to hone their presentation skills through practice sessions.
As for the Startup Weekend (May 13-15), teams organically form around the top ideas (as determined by popular vote); and then it’s a 54-hour frenzy of business model creation, programming, designing, and market validation. On Sunday the teams will make their final presentations, receiving crucial feedback from experienced entrepreneurs and venture capitalists.
“Startup Weekend Maui is about learning by doing,” says Frank De Rego Jr., Director of Business Development Projects at Maui Economic Development Board. “This event provides a platform to acquire the skills and best practices necessary to build a solid business foundation. Successful entrepreneurs result in successful businesses which, in turn, provide a platform for future job creation and prosperity.”
Startup Weekend is a global grassroots movement of active and empowered entrepreneurs of various skill sets who are learning the basics of founding startups and launching successful ventures. It is the largest community of passionate entrepreneurs with over 2,900 past events in 150 countries around the world.
For more information and to register for the 2016 Startup Weekend Maui, visit bit.ly/startupmaui2016 or contact Jessica Crouse at info@hightechmaui.com, (808) 270-6811. Connect with Facebook
Startup Weekend Maui sponsors include: County of Maui Mayor’s Office of Economic Development, High Technology Development Corporation, Hawaii Strategic Development Corporation, HI-Growth Initiative, and Pacific Media Group.
