Startup Weekend is a Seattle organization that hosts conferences designed to help entrepreneurs turn their ideas into companies. The conferences have been a global success since their first event in 2007, held in over 100 cities in 25 countries around the world so far, according to the organization. They claim that over a third of the companies founded at their events are still going concerns after three months, and that 10% of them go on to raise seed capital.
On September 26, Ryerson University's
StartMeUp Ryerson program will host a
Toronto Startup Weekend, featuring guest speakers including Mike McDerment, CEO of
Freshbooks, and Leila Boujnane, founder and CEO of
Idee Inc. According to Startup Weekend Toronto organizer
Chris Eben, writing on the
Startup North blog, the event includes both "how-to" and networking components -- a place to find partners as well as develop ideas. "Startup Weekend is a great way to network with other passionate
entrepreneurs and find potential co-founders. During Startup Weekend,
you will not only meet some talented individuals, you will get to see
how they work, helping you evaluate the potential for long term fit.
Interaction and exchange of ideas between different teams is common
which means your networking opportunities are not limited to your
immediate team."
He adds
on his own blog that he wound up hosting the Toronto event after tweeting about the need for one in this city. "Frankly, I'm surprised it's taken so long to get here. Toronto has a
vibrant tech and startup community and given that these weekends are
going on all over the world and gaining tons of momentum, why didn't
someone jump on this before me?"
The
event costs $75 to attend and offers a prize from the
Ryerson Angel Network of $500 to the winning team formed around an idea at the event.
Writer: Edward Keenan
Sources: Chris Eben, Startup Weekend Toronto; Startup North, Ryerson University