MEDB Seeks Participants for Startup Weekend Maui

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

The Maui Economic Development Board is seeking entrepreneurs to participate in the 2016 Startup Weekend Maui set for May 13 to 15.

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.