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Startup Weekend

Apply to Pitch for Free at the 13th #FounderShowcase

Announcing the Windows Startup Challenge | Challenge Rules

The Windows Startup Challenge is an initiative for entrepreneurs focused on launching a startup – from prototyping, to development to launch. The Windows Startup Challenge is a joint program between Microsoft, Startup Weekend and DEMO.

The Challenge will test your startup’s ability to prototype your business solution using a Windows Store app, build and bring your app to life and then give you the chance to get noticed and launch your startup at DEMO Mobile happening on April 17th in San Francisco – with an audience of industry leaders, investors and media. REGISTER Now!

Windows Startup Challenge | Windows Store | Windows at DEMO Mobile | Startup Weekend Windows campaign | BizSpark and DEMO

Windows 8 Bootcamps

Join Startup Weekend and Windows in the pre-weekend Bootcamp to learn more about Windows Store app building and get ready to succeed in your Startup Weekend event!

The Windows 8 pre-weekend Bootcamp is a fun, no-fluff event for app builders, by app builders. You’ll learn from experts how to create rich and interactive apps and mock-ups for your final presentation on Sunday at Startup Weekend.

Startup Weekend + Microsoft Cities Map

Bootcamp agenda | See all Windows 8 Bootcamps

The content of the Bootcamps is relevant to developers, designers and entrepreneurs coming from various backgrounds including web technology (HTML5/JS), iOS (Objective-C) and others. We’ll cover the following:

  • Windows 8 Overview
  • Windows 8 Platform & Tools
  • Windows 8 app features – Tiles & Notifications, Contracts, Elective Tracks
  • How to be successful at Startup Weekend
  • Q&A & Startup Weekend Pitch Prep

Highlights from Windows 8 Bootcamps

Startup Weekend Chicago

Sonal Mane highlights Startup Weekend Chicago. There were 100+ attendees in the Excelerate Labs working space for the event. More...

Startup Weekend Chicago
Startup Weekend Kansas City

Taylor Cowan attended Startup Weekend Kansas City with four other evangelists from Microsoft and provided a summary of the weekend's event. More...

Startup Weekend Kansas City
Startup Weekend Toronto

Startup Weekend Toronto Churns Out 22 New Canadian Startups in Two Days. More...

Startup Weekend Toronto

How the Bootcamps Work

The Bootcamps will run from half a day to a full day, and will introduce designers, developers and entrepreneurs to Windows 8. Attendees will learn about the new design guidance for Windows Store apps, the new development platform and how they can put it all together in the Windows Store to participate in the largest computing ecosystem in the world.

The Bootcamps will also include hands-on sessions on pitching, teamwork, business model and customer development, project management and judging. We'll have great speakers from Microsoft, previous Startup Weekend teams and local entrepreneurs that are committed to giving attendees an awesome Bootcamp experience.

Startups attending these Bootcamps will come into their Startup Weekend with a boosted confidence, a great set of tools and a network of new friends that may end up being co-founders for the next best startup idea.


The Latest Updates from Startup Weekend

We are excited to announce the Windows Startup Challenge – a joint initiative between Startup Weekend, Microsoft and DEMO to help developers, designers and entrepreneurs go from prototype to development to launch.

If you have a Windows Store app idea, apply to compete by January 29th for a chance to get publicity, expert help and mentorship, connections to investors and a free trip to San Francisco to unveil your app at DEMO Mobile on April 17th, 2013 in front of top tier investors, VCs and press.

In June 2012, at SW Bordeaux, Benoit Fuleran pitched an idea that wasn’t selected.  During the weekend, Benoit explained his idea again to a SW participant who turned out to be an investor.  Interested in Benoit’s vision, the “incognito” investor agreed to fund and support his startup idea on the spot.  Tel4Expat is a service specially designed for expatriates that allows its users worldwide to spend unlimited calls to over 40 countries.  The original story for this post can be found here  (in French).

This morning, the  Startup Weekend leadership team had the honor of ringing the NYSE Opening Bell to celebrate the creation of 100,000 entrepreneurs through Startup Weekend.  Check out the video of the team opening the stock exchange

Although Startup Weekend has taken place in Colombia before, this year marked the first event for the Northern Colombian port city of Barranquilla.  Back in June 2012, Organizers Javier Fernandez and Javier Jaimes discussed putting on the event. At that point, they decided that they would dedicate themselves to Barranquilla’s entrepreneurial ecosystem.  Despite many challenges that were faced both culturally and resource-wise, Startup Weekend Barranquilla (Oct. 12th, 2012) proved to be hugely successful due to the passion and “bootstrapping” qualities of its Organizers – and the enthusiastic, action-based aura that proved to be infectious for participants as well as observers, sponsors, mentors, and judges throughout the entire weekend.  

Over the past two weekends, 137 Startup Weekend events occurred around the world.  As the excitement and momentum continues with Global Startup Battle, many people have asked for a  complete list of winners who are participating in the Battle. Below is a list of the cities and submitted tag lines for teams who have contributed videos to the GSB competition.

Startup Weekend Events

Please join us at the following events:

February 8-10 | co-working Mutinerie


Feb 8-10 | Microsoft NERD Center


Feb 8-10 | Slogan


Feb 22-24 | Microsoft, Lavelle Road


March 14-16


View All Events

About Startup Weekend

Startup Weekend is a global network of passionate leaders and entrepreneurs on a mission to inspire, educate, and empower individuals, teams and communities. Come share ideas, form teams, and launch startups.

Startup Weekends are weekend-long, hands-on experiences where entrepreneurs and aspiring entrepreneurs can find out if startup ideas are viable. On average, half of Startup Weekend's attendees have technical or design backgrounds, the other half have business backgrounds.

Beginning with open mic pitches on Friday, attendees bring their best ideas and inspire 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 and receive valuable feedback from a panel of experts.

Contact Information
Website: startupweekend.org
Twitter: @StartupWeekend
Facebook: facebook.com/#!/startupweekend