Startup Weekend Tampa Bay empowers aspiring techies

In a wild Western tech landscape, it is sometimes difficult for aspiring tech entrepreneurs to find their footing. Luckily for entrepreneurs in the bay area, Tech Stars have teamed up with Grow with Google to present Startup Weekend Tampa Bay, this Friday-Sunday, July 20-22.

Startup Weekend is a 54-hour nonstop weekend, and a crash course in surviving and thriving in the tech industry. It’s open to adults of all ages and occupations, and is meant to empower everyday people to learn whatever they would like to learn about tech. Whether one is looking to simply learn a new skill, or to found a tech company of one’s own, Startup Weekend will have all the resources to empower aspiring techies.

The weekend kicks off on Friday with dinner, a minute to pitch an idea, then the formation of a team to work with to put the idea into action. On Saturday, local mentors will teach participants and help them develop a product or service based on their idea, in a market validation workshop. The weekend wraps up on Sunday with a pitch workshop, followed by a five-minute presentation in front of a panel of judges, then an after-party.

Registration is free; register here to claim your place at Techstars Startup Weekend Tampa Bay, presented by Grow With Google.

Here is the official schedule of events:

Friday, July 20th
5:00pm – Doors open – Mingle/Open House
6:00pm – Dinner
6:30pm – Welcome & Speakers
7:00pm – Pitches Begin – (60 seconds per person)
9:30pm – Mingle and voting
10:00pm – Team forming – then start working!
12:00am Midnight – Roll out

Saturday, July 21st
9:00am – Doors open. Breakfast served. Coaches arrive.
9:30am – Start working!
10:00am – Market Validation Workshop
1:00pm – Lunch
1:30pm – Team check-ins
6:30pm – Dinner
1:00 am – Roll out

Sunday, July 22nd
9:00am – Doors open. Breakfast served.
9:30am – Pitch Workshop
10:00am – Coaches arrive; ask questions!!
12:00pm – Lunch
3:00pm – Tech check. Start prepping for presentations
5:00pm – FINAL PRESENTATIONS
7:30pm – Judging & awards
8:30pm – Celebratory After Party