Page 36 - Flathead Beacon // 9.30.15

BUSINESS MONTHLY
Startup Weekend Taps into Valley’s Entrepreneurial Spirit Event will bring together entrepreneurs, designers and developers launch a businesses in just 54 hours
SCHEDULE OF EVENTS
Flathead Valley Community College
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 9
6:30 p.m. Registration
7 p.m. Dinner and networking
7:20 p.m. Welcome and speakers
7:30 p.m. Startup pitches
9 p.m. Pitches vote
9:15 p.m. Startup teams are formed for the weekend
10 p.m. Work begins
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 10
9 a.m. Breakfast
9:30 a.m. Work begins
12 p.m. Lunch
1 p.m. Check in and status report
2 p.m. Coach meetings
6:30 p.m. Dinner
7:30 p.m. Check in and status report
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 11
9 a.m. Breakfast
10 a.m. Check in and status report
12 p.m. Lunch
12:30 p.m. Coaches meeting
3 p.m. Final presentation preparation 4 p.m. Dinner
5 p.m. Final presentations
7:30 p.m. Judging and awards
8:30 p.m. Wrap-up
BY JUSTIN FRANZ OF THE BEACON
Montanans are cut from a unique cloth. Perhaps because of the landscape this state encompasses or the rugged western spirit that envelops its residents. Whatever it is, it makes Montanans a unique and creative breed.
In an effort to tap into those creative juices, the Flathead Valley is hosting its second annual Glacier Startup Week- end from Oct. 9 to 11. The event brings together entrepreneurs, designers and developers and challenges them to launch a business in just 54 hours.
“There is a strong startup culture in the Flathead Valley and in Montana,” said Kellie Danielson, president and CEO of Montana West Economic Devel- opment and one of the event’s volunteer organizers. “People here in Montana are resourceful and they find ways to make their own living.”
Startup Weekends around the world follow the same format. It invites peo- ple to pitch ideas and then the audience votes for the best. Teams form around the crowd’s favorites and then they embark on a three-day journey to create a busi- ness model and market their idea. At the end of the weekend, the teams are able to present their startups to local entre- preneurial and business leaders and the best are awarded prizes and services that could help the startups become a reality. Throughout the weekend, seasoned busi- ness professionals will be on hand to pro- vide advice and guidance to each team.
Startup Weekend was founded in 2007 and since then has held over 1,500 events in more than 700 cities around the world. Nearly 125,000 entrepreneurs have taken part in the event.
The event was first held in Kalispell in 2014 and Danielson said the turnout was impressive, with about 150 attending opening night. She said a similar number is expected to attend this year. The Friday
Michael Goguen delivers the keynote speech at the Glacier Startup Weekend in 2014. GREG LINDSTROM | FLATHEAD BEACON
“THERE IS A STRONG STARTUP CULTURE IN THE FLATHEAD VALLEY AND IN MONTANA, PEOPLE HERE IN MONTANA ARE RESOURCEFUL AND THEY FIND WAYS TO MAKE THEIR OWN LIVING.”
- KELLIE DANIELSON, PRESIDENT AND CEO OF MONTANA WEST ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND ONE OF THE EVENT’S VOLUNTEER ORGANIZERS
evening kick-off features the startup pitches and guest speakers, including Neil Stuber, founder and creator of Hur- raw! Balm in Whitefish. Diana Damron, a former television news anchor and now a public speaker, will also be speaking, along with Connie Cermak, a local busi- ness person who focuses on social media and marketing in the valley.
Like last year, the event is held at Flat- head Valley Community College. Jill Sei- gmund, entrepreneurial coordinator for the college, said the partnership between Glacier Startup Weekend and the school
is a logical one.
“We have a lot of people here who are
dedicated to making businesses grow and succeed and so the startup weekend really fits in with our programs,” she said.
Registration for the event is limited to 120 participants and costs $99. However, $25 tickets are available for the “Demo Day” where people can hear the business pitches as well as see the kick-off speak- ers. For more information visit www.gla- cier.startupweekend.org.
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