Google StartUp Weekend comes to Exeter

Whether you are the next big tech thing, have a tasty food and drink idea, are into social enterprise. Maybe you are committed to renewable energy, have an idea for the best ever retail product. Want to promote an arts organisation or are a budding entrepreneur. Then Exeter StartUp Weekend is the place for you to get your idea off the ground.

Robin Jackson Director of the Innovation Centre said: “Exeter Startup Weekend will be the beginning of an amazing journey and a fantastic weekend of entrepreneurship, startup technology, collaboration and celebration for participants. It will also start to put Exeter on the map as a startup community.”

Google’s Startup Weekend is a global phenomenon which takes place over 54 hours from Friday through to Sunday evening. You can pitch your idea, develop it, explore potential markets and plan a business launch.

Exeter Startup Weekend is a non-profit, community-building event. It brings together entrepreneurs of different backgrounds including software developers, marketers, designers and many other enthusiasts.

Participants have 60 seconds to make a pitch (optional), which their peers whittle down to the top ideas. Teams then form around those ideas to develop them. The weekend culminates with presentations to an audience of judges and potential investors, with prizes on offer such as access to co-working space and professional support on offer for the best efforts.

In the past three years startup weekends have attracted many thousands of entrepreneurs with more than 500 new businesses born as a result.

Some teams have even started to generate revenue during the 54 hour event, while others have gone on to raise funds from business angels or venture capitalists.

Exeter Startup Weekend will be the beginning of a journey for individuals. They can come and turn their vision into reality through collaboration and teamwork. Experts such as, Wout Laban from the Netherlands will facilitate the event.

Mr Jackson added: “We are really excited about holding Exeter and the peninsula’s first ever Startup Weekend in July at the Innovation Centre, University of Exeter.”

You can purchase tickets at a subsidised rate, thanks to the generosity of the local sponsors at: www.bit.do/exetersw

Sponsors include The Innovation Centre, CrowdCube, Andromeda Capital, Ashfords Solicitors, The University of Exeter, Frobishers, Haines Watts Accountants, TechHub Boston and Zenen Education.