Education will be focus of upcoming Startup Weekend

Kalamazoo’s fourth Startup Weekend is coming, and for the first time this one will have an educational theme. Throughout the course of this 54-hour event, entrepreneurs will share ideas, form teams, and launch startups focused on improving education.

The weekend brings together local entrepreneurs, developers, designers and startup enthusiasts with mentors and resources. The fall event, the second of 2012, will be Oct. 12-14 at the Haworth College of Business on the Western Michigan University Campus.

“This weekend is what I mean when talking about bold ideas to move Kalamazoo forward,” says Kalamazoo Mayor Bobby Hopewell. “It builds on our history of innovation while tapping the best, most creative thinking within our community. And it is one more example of why Kalamazoo is nationally recognized as a great place for young professionals.”

The event, the first of its kind in the Midwest, will follow the previous format. On Friday night, ideas are pitched to those in attendance. After the 60 second pitches, groups are formed around the ideas that seem most promising or interesting. The rest of the weekend goes into developing those ideas, typically into web and mobile applications.

Educators will work with teams throughout the weekend to provide the classroom experience that they otherwise might not have. “We think the closer we can get educators and entrepreneurs working together, the more thoroughly developed the ideas will be,” says Ryan Goins, co-founder of Startup Zoo and lead organizer of Startup Weekend.

Mentors and seasoned startup entrepreneurs also will be on hand to help.

On Sunday, teams present their ideas to a panel of judges made up of local entrepreneurs, venture capitalists, and industry experts.

“Through initiatives like the Kalamazoo Promise, Kalamazoo has always been dedicated to improving education,” says Goins, “and we’re excited to see what entrepreneurs can bring to the table.”

• For more information on the weekend’s event, as well as tickets to participate, please visit here.

Writer: Kathy Jennings, Second Wave Media
Source: Ryan Goins, Startup Zoo