2016 Startup Weekend Maui Kicks Off Today

Last year’s event drew more than 80 residents and visitors. Pictured here are members of Startup Weekend Maui’s 2016 alumni plus the coaches, mentors, judges and the Maui Economic Development Board staff. Photo credit: Casey Nishikawa

Entrepreneurs are welcome to attend the 2016 Startup Weekend Maui, which begins today, Friday, May 13, and will run though Sunday, May 15.

Sign up tonight during registration from 6:30 to 7 p.m. Students are also welcome to participate.

See “EVENT SCHEDULE” below.

Presented by MEDB, the event will provide active entrepreneurs with an opportunity to learn how to launch a company in only 54 hours.

The event will be held at the Maui Research and Technology Park in Kīhei, starting at MEDB’s Malcolm Center.

In just one weekend, participants will experience the highs, lows, fun and pressure that make up life of a startup entrepreneur.

Participants will have the opportunity to learn the skills necessary to create a business, work on a startup team and connect with the right people and resources.

All Startup Weekend events follow the same basic model:

On Friday, anyone is welcome to pitch their startup idea and receive feedback from their peers. Teams organically form around the top ideas (as determined by popular vote). Then, 54-hour frenzy of business model creation, programming, designing and market validation begins. On Sunday, the teams will make their final presentations, receiving crucial feedback from experienced entrepreneurs and venture capitalists.

“Startup Weekend Maui is about learning by doing,” said Frank De Rego Jr., director of Business Development Projects at Maui Economic Development Board. “This event provides a platform to acquire the skills and best practices necessary to build a solid business foundation. Successful entrepreneurs result in successful businesses which, in turn, provide a platform for future job creation and prosperity.”

Participants who register before the April 15 deadline will receive a 25% discount off the registration fee. Students with a valid ID will receive a 50% discount.

Startup Weekend is a global grassroots movement of active and empowered entrepreneurs of various skill sets who are learning the basics of founding startups and launching successful ventures. It is the largest community of passionate entrepreneurs with over 2,900 past events in 150 countries around the world.

MEDB’s Malcolm Center is located at 1305 N. Holopono Street, Ste. 5.

For more information and to register for the 2016 Startup Weekend Maui, visit bit.ly/startupmaui2016, or contact Jessica Crouse at [email protected] or (808) 270-6811. Connect with Facebook.

Startup Weekend Maui sponsors include County of Maui Mayor’s Office of Economic Development, High Technology Development Corporation, Hawaii Strategic Development Corporation, HI-Growth Initiative and Pacific Media Group.

EVENT SCHEDULE

FRIDAY, May 13
Location: MEDB’s Malcolm Center, 1305 N. Holopono St., Ste. 5, in Kīhei

6:30 p.m.
Registration
Arrive at the venue and get checked in

7 p.m.
Dinner & Networking
Eat food, share ideas, practice pitches, get to know fellow participants

7:20 p.m.
Welcome & Speakers
Review agenda for the weekend and introduce speakers, coaches, and community leaders

7:30 p.m.
Pitches Start
Optionally line up to give your pitch

9 p.m.
Voting
Attendees vote for the top pitches

9:15 p.m.
Form Teams
Teams start forming and discussing ideas

10 p.m.
Begin Work
Start to formalize teams and take an inventory of skills. Be honest, and direct about what resources and skills are needed for the weekend. You may stay and work as late as the venue will allow

SATURDAY, May 14
Location: Maui Research & Technology Center, 590 Lipoa Parkway, in Kīhei

9 a.m.
Breakfast
Arrive, simple breakfast & coffee

9:30 a.m.
Begin Work
Teams formed and setting up workspace for the weekend

11 a.m.
Coaches Arrive
Regroup to meet the coaches. Coaches will introduce themselves to everyone.

11:30 a.m.
Lunch

12:30 p.m.
Connect with the Coaches
The coaches will rotate throughout the groups to learn about your team’s idea.

1 p.m.
Continue Working
Grab coaches as needed. Coaches are welcome to stay as long as they can. Continue to develop your product.

6:30 p.m.
Dinner

7:30 p.m.
Check-In
After-dinner check-in, status reports, call for help

10 p.m.
Wrap-Up
Finished for the day. You may stay and work as late as the venue will allow

SUNDAY, May 15
Location from 9 a.m.–4 p.m.: Maui Research & Technology Center, 590 Lipoa Parkway, in Kīhei
Location from 4 p.m. on: MEDB’s Malcolm Center, 1305 N. Holopono St., Ste. 5, in Kīhei

9 a.m.
Breakfast
Arrive, simple breakfast & coffee

10 a.m.
Check-In

noon
Lunch

3 p.m.
Final hours of work time should be focused on perfecting your presentation, tech-check for final presentations also takes place

4 p.m.
Dinner

5 p.m.
Final Presentations

7:30 p.m.
Judging & Awards

8:30 p.m.
Wrap-Up

9 p.m.
Go Home!