| August 16, 2012 IMMEDIATE RELEASE Montgomery County, Va. Economic Development Department |
Montgomery County, Virginia - Startup Weekend, an intense 54-hour brainstorming and business-building event, is coming to Montgomery County September 14 to 16. Startup Weekend Blacksburg will be held at at Rackspace (755 University City Boulevard, Blacksburg, VA 24060) and is open to anyone interested in starting a technology-based business or working on a startup. It's a unique opportunity to develop skills, get hands-on experience in new areas, and test ideas with local entrepreneurs and professionals.
Building on the successful international Startup Weekend model, Startup Weekend Blacksburg intends to bring together entrepreneurs, startup enthusiasts, developers, designers, and marketing gurus from Blacksburg and beyond to share ideas, form teams, and launch startups. Local CEOs, founders, and startup veterans from the New River and Roanoke Valleys will also be on hand to provide expertise and give talks on their experiences in the fast-paced world of technology startups.
Beginning with open mic pitches on Friday, attendees bring their best ideas and recruit others to join their team. Over Saturday and Sunday, teams focus on customer development, validating their ideas, practicing LEAN Startup Methodologies, and building a minimal viable product. On Sunday evening, teams demo their prototypes in front of a panel of judges who will provide feedback and award prizes.
Startup Weekend Blacksburg is being co-organized by the Roanoke-Blacksburg Technology Council and sponsored in part by the Montgomery County Department of Economic Development, Center for Innovative Technologies, TechPad co-working space, Rackspace, Lujure, and the Virginia Tech Entrepreneur Club.
A limited number of tickets to Startup Weekend Blacksburg are available online for $99 which includes meals, drinks, and snacks for the whole weekend. Students can purchase tickets at the discounted rate of $49 by entering the promotional code "STUDENT" when registering online. Individuals registering as a student will be required to show a valid Student ID at the door.
For more information about Startup Weekend Blacksburg - including registration, schedule and sponsorship opportunities - visit blacksburg.startupweekend.org.
About Startup Weekend:
Startup Weekend is a 501c(3)non-profit based in Seattle, Wash. Supported by a grant from the Kauffman Foundation, Startup Weekend has held over 650 events around the globe, inspiring over 5,000 entrepreneurs to take an idea from concept to launch.
Startup Weekend Blacksburg contact:
Samuel Toriel - Community Organizer
Phone: 786-444-2085
Email: samueltoriel@gmail.com
Website: blacksburg.startupweekend.org
Show your support, like or follow Startup Weekend Blacksburg on Twitter (#SWBlacksburg) and Facebook.
The Montgomery County Department of Economic Development (MCDED) offers a number of free and confidential services and resources to help companies large and small. We welcome the opportunity to provide direct assistance to companies interested in starting, expanding or relocating a business in Montgomery County, Blacksburg and Christiansburg. Contact us today!
