Resource:How to organize a Startup Weekend

Section 1: What is a Startup Weekend

A startup weekend is an event organized by group of volunteers on the weekend days. It generally contains 20 to 100 participants (can also have 200 depending on the availability of space) where the participants are divided into small groups. Then the members of the group start pitching their ideas where each group will then select the best idea out of different ideas pitched. The ideas can be selected by either interacting with the real customers or simply just voting for the best idea in their group.

Section 2: Goal/Need of a Startup Weekend

The goal or the need of the startup weekend is to get the strongest business idea out of number of ideas pitched. The strongest idea is basically the most feasible, which will have the most impact on society after getting launched. Also this idea can make you earn some profits and can benefit the real world. It can also groom your managerial skills and can enhace your team work ability.

Section 3: Structure of the weekend (Activity and Content)

The activity is basically a three day programme that starts from Friday and ends on late Sunday. Day 1 focuses on the introduction and interaction among people in order to break the ice. Day 2 is a busy day. It entirely deals with introduction and presentation of ideas. Day 3, typically Sunday, starts in the morning, around 10a.m., and ends somewhere around 4p.m.. On this day, everyone comes forward with presentations and prototyptes, and students pitch their ideas.

Section 4: Costs, Fundraising, Sponsorships, Finding money and Judgement criteria.

In order to get the funds or sponsorship for the event you can approach various companies or you can simpy go to your departmental associations to help you with funds.You need to explain the whole idea and the goal of this event to the people you are approaching that how this event can benefit them as the sponsors.The judges should be selected in order to evaluate the strongest idea out of all and so that there is fair decision amog different teams.Also to avoid some kind of judgement challenge ,the selected judge should be revered among the society.

Section 5: Collaboration and Interactive environment

In order to organise this event we need to have a team, so that work can be done efficiently in a better way and by doing so we learn, how to work in collaboration with others to achieve a single aim i.e. to organise the event in best possible way. This give us the sense to work in a team and taking responsibilities make us good manager and a leader. Further in order to organise the event we need support of different industry and technical partners who can support us in terms of money and some technical guidance which is required to work in collaboration and to successfully organise this event. So to organize this event we need to have an environment which is collaborative and interactive in nature.

Section 6: Advertising, Branding, and Promotion

Advertising or branding or promotion of the event plays an important role as it can decide the number of participation.You can use social networking sites also as an advertising source of your event.The more participation you get,the more people you can interact with and ultimately the probability of getting the strongest idea is even greater.

Section 7:Choosing event the date and location

Choosing date and location also plays a major role to attract the large number of participants.The location you choose should have enough capacity to accommodate the number of participants you are inviting.Also the proper arrangements and management will ensure the smooth functioning of the event.

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