Buffalo Startup Weekend

This local event is part of the worldwide phenomenon called Startup Weekend. Hosted by Techstars, the annual event brings together entrepreneurs for 54 hours of pitching, brainstorming, business plan development, basic prototype creation, demos and presentations in communities across the world. 

Over the course of one weekend, participants pitch ideas, form teams, build prototypes and launch start-ups. Participants also hear talks by industry leaders and receive valuable feedback from local entrepreneurs to refine their products. The weekend culminates in team presentations to judges. The top three teams receive prize packages that often include professional services, venture club memberships and other resources to take their ideas to the next level.

The event provides experiential education for entrepreneurs who want to test out ideas and take the first steps toward launching start-ups. The event also offers participants the opportunity to collaborate with like-minded individuals outside of their networks and identify potential co-founders or team members with diverse skills to set their ideas in motion. 

This event is open to anyone with business ideas, creative skills or interests in launching a new business. Entrepreneurial-minded students are particularly encouraged to attend. Interested participants must pre-register and purchase a ticket online. There is a limited number of spots available; tickets typically cost $50, but students pay a discounted rate of $25. Participants do not need to have a business idea to pitch. If you want to pitch, your idea should be something you have not previously worked on.