Techstars Startup Weekend returns to fight COVID-19 … the caveat? It starts now
April 23, 2020 | Austin Barnes
Editor’s note: The following is part of Startland News’ ongoing coverage of the impact of Coronavirus (COVID-19) on Kansas City’s entrepreneur community, as well as how innovation is helping to drive a new normal in the ecosystem. Click here to follow related stories as they develop.
Techstars Startup Weekend is adding new programming in the era of Coronavirus (COVID-19) — calling on innovators nationwide to suit up and use their ideas to fight the global health crisis.
“Geography is no longer a limitation,” Techstars said in announcement of Startup Weekend Remote — a global, online version of Startup Weekend designed to solve problems brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Techstars Startup Weekend Kansas City 2019
Startup Weekend traditionally is an in-person, team-oriented “three-day long sprint to launch new products and services that solve real-world problems.” The new format builds on that foundation with social distancing necessities in mind.
“You can now build your team and go to launch from the comfort of your quarantine,” Techstars explained Thursday during a press conference about the event, which launches Friday using video conferencing and online collaboration tools.
More than 10,000 people are expected to embark on the global call for startup solutions in such spaces as health, education, vulnerable populations, small business, community, and entertainment — with few topics off limits, the company said.
“We’re super excited for this amazing initiative and for the ideas,” said Steven Rodriquez, regional manager for Techstars’ startup programs in the U.S. and Canada. “We make innovation accessible to everyone everywhere and that’s why we’re excited about this Techstars mobile Startup Weekend.”
Click here to register for the event before at 11:59 p.m. Thursday.
To effectively reach U.S. participants on both coasts, Techstars will run east and west sections of the competition — with interested Kansas Citians set to compete in the eastern matchup.
Techstars Startup Weekend Kansas City 2019
“However we are still running one nation-wide event. You can work in teams with anyone you want, from anywhere in the country,” Techstars said.
Although virtual, Techstars said it’s hopeful participants will still make the event the focus of their weekend and attend all virtual events associated with the program, which will include such virtual versions of such traditional programming as a kickoff celebration and pitch session.
A YouTube Live demo day is set for Sunday.
Beyond the pandemic, the in-person Startup Weekend is expected to return to Kansas City this fall, organizers told Startland News.
Click here to read more about the 2019 showing of Startup Weekend.
Featured Business
2020 Startups to Watch
stats here
Related Posts on Startland News
Missouri’s best breweries are in Kansas City (and they have the medals to prove it)
Two Kansas City brewers barreled through the competition earlier this week, earning the first-ever, statewide “Brewery of the Year” honors for local favorites Boulevard and BKS Artisan Ales. It’s a feat fermented through years of dedication by the teams behind the labels, both brewers said. “From the day we opened, we have kept balance with…
World Cup readiness event opens City Hall to entrepreneurs hoping to get on the roster
Kansas City wants to score as many points as possible when the FIFA World Cup arrives in 2026, said Janá Wagner, emphasizing that a special event planned Tuesday during GEWKC aims to get businesses into the game now — playbook in hand. “Our goal is to help as many entrepreneurs as possible get properly licensed,…
10 top event picks for GEWKC; build your own schedule from 60+ sessions
With dozens of events on the calendar for GEWKC, Union Station will be bustling with activity, said Callie England, noting organizers intentionally curated a week where attendees can’t go wrong — no matter how they fill out their itinerary. “While the schedule can feel full, it’s truly the best of the best,” said England, director of…
How AI changes the the founder code: ‘This is all moving faster than anyone expected’
New tech opportunities — like artificial intelligence — hold the potential to equalize the Kansas City region among more established startup hubs, investment leaders said Thursday, but to fully take advantage, entrepreneurs who want strong, lasting companies must have a fire inside them. Not to mention grit. “Several really incredible entrepreneurs said, ‘I think the one…