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
Launch It Successfully hopes to reduce early stage frustration, struggle for startups
A new accelerator program produced by key leaders of software development firm Illumisoft is helping innovators start their businesses by “cutting through the nonsense,” said Tyler Prince. “We want to help entrepreneurs succeed,” he said. “I think we live in an age when change happens so rapidly.” Launch It Successfully’s goal is to assist early…
Is government helping startups enough? Founders feel isolated, Kauffman survey finds
Early stage entrepreneurs struggle with the technical steps to getting started, a new Kauffman survey found, and founders don’t believe the government is helping them. The prevailing sentiment that entrepreneurs view themselves as isolated from assistance is understandable, said Melissa Roberts, vice president of strategy and economic development at the Enterprise Center in Johnson County.…
Kauffman survey: Women more critical of their own early-stage entrepreneurial efforts
Women entrepreneurs are more likely than their male counterparts to grade their performances harshly during the first year of business, though that tendency typically fades over time, according to a new survey by the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation. It often is about approaching the venture a realistic viewpoint, said Jeff Shackelford, executive director of Digital…
Video: ShotTracker fan app courts NAIA tourney crowds with AR experience
A new ShotTracker fan app — expected to launch today — will combine real-time analytics with augmented reality for a first-of-its-kind fan engagement opportunity at next week’s Division 1 NAIA basketball tournament, said co-founder Davyeon Ross. “We want to make the experience as great as possible for the end user,” Ross said, noting his company’s…