2015 StartUp Weekend Gives Opportunity to Entrepreneurial Hopefuls

Toledo Local Features  |  By Michael Pierce  |  09/30/2015

Three years ago, the idea of having a StartUp Weekend in Toledo became a reality. The success of the first two StartUp Weekend events prompted organizers to bring it back in 2015. From October 2nd through the 4th, entrepreneurial hopefuls will have a chance to share and develop their ideas in an open and collaborative environment. Timothy Van Tuinan, intellectual property attorney with Buchanan Nipper, LLC, leads the organizing team of volunteers that make this event happen.

This year’s event will take place at the Launchpad - UT’s incubation facility. Equipped with cutting edge tools, the Launchpad offers those with an entrepreneurial spirit the chance to hone their craft, develop a scaleable business plan, and then execute.

Participants will arrive at the beginning of the weekend with fresh ideas in hand, or with the technical or managerial skills necessary to work with those who have ideas. The three-day event will commence at 6:30pm on Friday, where participants will be introduced to each other, and then “The groups form organically, it’s really cool. Friday night everyone will come in and, after an introduction, they will get in line to start pitching ideas. We have a set of coaches that come in and help guide them on what they should focus on”, Tim explains.

Aside from having access to a coaching staff of business and development professionals, a series of speakers - consisting of successful startup entrepreneurs John Amato (JupMode) and Joe Mincock (Adrenaline Commerce), as well as Bill Messer - vice president of research at the University of Toledo, will give talks throughout the weekend. And on Sunday evening, a panel of judges will decide which team has come up with the best idea.

How many participants do you anticipate for this year?

“The first year we had about 30-40 and then the next year we had about 50, this year it looks like it will be about 30-40. It depends on the school schedule. This year we’re scheduled during fall break at UT. There’s one downside to what’s going on in Toledo right now, and that is that there are so many things going on that trying to squeeze an event like this, on top of everything else, is somewhat difficult. But it’s a good thing because, at work we see it as a renaissance happening, so to speak, in Toledo.”

Is it mostly college students that get involved?

“The demographics for an event like this are across the board. The group that won the first year consisted of team members that were middle-aged, so it’s not all college students. People from all walks of life are encouraged to participate.”

Are pitches limited in any way to tech business, or is it basically anything goes?

“There’s no limits to the type of idea someone can pitch, but generally it is pretty tech-heavy. It’s definitely more on the app or program side. Our first year, the winner had created an app that helped elderly people remember when to take their medication. So you would input all of the meds and when you need to take them, and it would send you a notification to take meds. in 2013, the winning team created a physical product to prevent slippage of tools or products on aircraft carriers, so it’s not just computer apps.”

What would you say to someone who is interested in being an entrepreneur, but is afraid that they don’t have the tech-savvy to make it work?

“If you think about it, a good business doesn’t just have good tech or programmers. A good business has good managers, branding, and so many other people. And often times programmers and web developers have faults too - they may not be good at interacting and talking to people. Everyone has strengths and weaknesses, and this event helps people realize where those strengths and weaknesses are, so that they can make them better.”

How can someone benefit from StartUp Weekend, if they don’t themselves have a startup idea?

“We tell people that even if they don’t have an idea, that getting up and pretending to pitch an idea is beneficial for those who wish to become entrepreneurs. Because you’re going to get your feet wet in knowing what 60 seconds feels like when making a pitch, and some people don’t know what it feels like to stand in front of a group and talk. So having that experience, alone, can be really beneficial.”

This year’s StartUp Toledo takes place on the University of Toledo campus at the Launchpad. For more information visit swtoledo.com.