‘Startup Weekend’ to kickstart local entrepreneurs

“No talk, all action” is the catch phrase for Whangarei’s first ‘Startup Weekend’, which kicks off in less than three weeks time. The ‘Startup Weekend’ is a 54-hour event which takes participants through the real life experience of creating a team to launch a business.

‘Startup Weekend’ Whangarei will take place over the weekend of 18-20 September at NorthTec. At the end of the weekend one team will win a prize package worth over $7,500 including accounting and marketing services.

The experience of creating a business out of an idea over one weekend shows how much can be achieved with limited time and resources. The fast pace requires teams to focus on the needs of the customer, and creating something that they actually want.

“Too often people try to create a product without really understanding the customer’s underlying problem, or finding out what the customer is prepared to pay to make their problem go away” says Derryn Williamson, co-organiser of the event.

‘Startup Weekend’ participants learn how to understand customer needs by getting out of the building and talking directly to their potential customers. It is common for teams to ‘pivot’ to a new solution, or even a completely new idea, after talking to real people. It is this focus on continually adapting to changing customer demands that makes ‘Startup Weekend’ perfect for those with existing businesses or day jobs that want to explore a new product or service to keep their business fresh and innovative.

‘Startup Weekend’ kicks off on the Friday night when aspiring entrepreneurs get a one minute to pitch their idea to a room full of local developers, makers, designers and business people. Curating the right mix of skilled and enthusiastic local participants who will form teams around those ideas is part of the magic of the weekend. After spending the weekend testing the market, developing a business plan, and building a product, each team has five minutes to pitch their new product or service to a panel of expert judges.

Eco Store Founder Malcolm Rands and Co-Founder of the Flying Kiwi Angels, Rudi Bublitz, are two of the judges that will be hearing the business pitches on the final evening of the weekend. Helping through teams get ready for their final pitches is a ten-strong team of Startup business mentors from around the country.

While the event is competitive, the focus of the weekend is to provide a safe environment where people are free to share ideas, explore opportunities, and take risks.

Northland Inc’s General Manager of Business Growth, Joseph Stuart hopes that local entrepreneurs will take advantage of this opportunity to launch themselves into new businesses.

“Most of the major centres have either held ‘Startup Weekend’ events, or are looking to develop their own business accelerator initiatives. It's definitely time for Northland to step up and join New Zealand’s entrepreneurial ecosystem” he says.

One great example of local Northland talent creating exciting new products and services is the creator of the Good Dog Co app, Paul Sumich. Designed for both Android and IOS the free app takes the hassle out of finding dog related places and services.

“It’s an online platform that will help users find the closest places based on their current location, as well as directions to get there. With this app, we look forward to becoming you and your dog’s new best friend.” says Mr Sumich.

Mrs Williamson says: “his success shows is how ‘Startup Weekend’ provides a great launch pad for this kind of talent to be uncovered and supported”.

So if you’re ready to kickstart your business idea, learn some new skills or just be part of a fun filled weekend with a group of passionate forward thinking locals, then register today at www.whangarei.startupweekend.org with tickets starting from $50.

ENDS

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