Dave Moore left his job in health care marketing last month. Now he, along with 100 other people taking part in Start Up Weekend, want to start their own business.
The concept is straight forward. On Friday, everyone pitches their idea. By Sunday, teams have to prove that people want, and are willing to pay, for what they have to offer.
In Moore’s case, his team came up with an idea at the intersection of technology and interior design.
“It’s called Place My Space. It’s basically about being able to visualize an apartment space or home that you’re decorating”, says Moore.
The event takes place in Communitech. At a cost of $100, Start Up Weekend brings 100 strangers together in hopes of fostering the entrepreneurial spirit. “If you have that idea that’s been sitting on the shelf or just kind of in the back of your mind, and you haven’t had time to work on it, Start Up Weekend is the perfect environment”, says organizer Sally Ng.
Many of the ideas revolve around technology. One team brought forward the idea of an app designed for restaurants to manage wait times.
“Some of the teams will turn into actual start-ups. Some of them won’t, which isn’t the end of the world, because we stress that it’s more about the process than strictly the idea”, says Ng.
Mentors are also available to lend a hand during the process; many of them successful start-up entrepreneurs in their own right.
“I haven’t been this energized about work and about making things happen in year. I'm just pumped”, says Moore of his space design idea.
At the end of the event a presentation and awards ceremony is held where top teams are awarded prizes of goods or services to help them on their entrepreneurial journey.
