Startup Weekend SLO is an intense 54 hour event which focuses on building a web or mobile applications which could form the basis of a credible business over the course of a weekend. The weekend brings together people with different skillsets - primarily software developers, graphic designers and business people - to build applications and develop a commercial case around them.

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Thoughts on Startup Weekend SLO

San Luis Obispo’s first Startup Weekend was definitely a success, and that’s thanks to the effort of our organizers, mentors, sponsors, advisors, speakers and participants. It was a group effort and something that we hope becomes an asset to both Cal Poly and San Luis Obispo. The integration of skills, ideas and passions is what makes Startup Weekends happen – and that kind of collaboration needs to continue year round. Keep working, building, and hacking. Thanks for making SWSLO 2012 awesome.

SWSLO Metrics

100 attendees
68 ideas pitched
15 teams formed
12 prototypes presented
17 sponsors
4 speakers
13 mentors
3 bowls of fruit

Congratulations to…

Haberdash for taking first place and winning the opportunity to attend the Kauffman Foundation’s FastTrac program.
Grappple for earning second place and the opportunity to work with the Hatchery.
misheard.me for their unique music algorithm.
Cosmic Shelf for their Kinect-hacked virtual bookshelf.
Studygasm for clever branding.
Everyone else for participating!

Startup Weekend SLO in the News

San Luis Obispo’s first startup weekend earned plenty of press coverage: we were on KSBY (twice!), on the radio, and in print in New Times, Tolosa Press, Mustang Daily and others. There was plenty of online coverage as well. Check out our before and after press releases.

Stay Connected

SWSLO Facebook
@StartupWkndSLO
Don’t forget to keep using the hashtag #SWSLO
Sign up for the Cal Poly Center for Innovation & Entrepreneurship’s mailing list for more entrepreneurship events
Come to weekly Cal Poly Entrepreneurs meetings to stay involved in the community

Thank Yous

Organizers: Chris Petersilge, Matt McGunagle, Eric Duarte and Kristin Kenney.
Sponsors: The Cal Poly Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship, Greenstart, iFixit, MindBody, Yes We Do Apps, Brown Dog Partners, Softec, Level, RRM Design Group, Digital West, SLO Seed Ventures and Experts Exchange.
Speakers: Jonathan York, Dillon McDonald, Xander Pollock and Reed Morse.
Judges: Jonathan York, Frank Foster, Kyle Wiens and Thea Chase.
Mentors: Denise Dudley, Song Zheng, Chris McCann, Xander Pollock, Kyle Wiens, Brian Riley, Matt Faustman, Dan Weeks, Jim Hale, Reed Morse, Jo Anne Mileer, Sasha Laundy and Jonathan Mumm.

Thanks again from the entire SWSLO team.

What to Expect at Startup Weekend SLO

A lot of students and community members have been asking me what a Startup Weekend is like. The experience is hard to describe in words, so here is a video from Startup Weekend Toronto that does Startup Weekend justice.

Chris Petersilge
Startup Weekend SLO Organizer

Startup Weekend is coming to SLO!

Startup Weekends are 54-hour events where developers, designers, marketers, product managers and startup enthusiasts come together to share ideas, form teams, build products, 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 backgrounds, the other half have business backgrounds.

Beginning with open mic pitches on Friday, attendees are encouraged to bring their best ideas and inspire others to join their team. Over Saturday and Sunday teams design and develop business plans while constantly streamlining their startup vision. On Sunday evening teams demo their prototypes, listen to judges’ feedback and in some cities, win prizes.

Startup Weekends are specifically designed for entrepreneurs interested in receiving feedback on an idea, looking for a co-founder, or who want to learn a new skill. We also welcome anyone looking to test the entrepreneurial waters. Startup Weekends are risk-free environments where everyone is expected to roll up their sleeves and dive into the exhilarating world of startups.

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