Save The Date: Startup Weekend Jamaica is October 4-6th, 2013 in Kingston

All Action. NO Talk

Startup Weekend Jamaica is now confirmed for October 4-6th, 2013 at the PCJ Auditorium, PCJ Building. Jamaica joins the Global Startup Movement this way.

Already there has been over 1,050 Startup Weekend events worldwide, 100,000 attendees, in 110 countries, across 475 cities. In the Caribbean, Trinidad and Tobago, Martinique, Dominican Republic, Haiti has gotten the Startup Fever. Now it’s time for Jamaica.

Here is the Who, What, When, Where, Why and How of Startup Weekend Jamaica.

What is Startup Weekend Jamaica?
Startup Weekend Jamaica is another step in Jamaica cementing its place in the global startup movement. Startup Weekends are 54 hour events where developers, designers, marketers, product managers and startup enthusiasts come together to pitch ideas, form teams, build products and launch startups.   It is the place where aspiring and current entrepreneurs get a weekend-long, hands-on entrepreneurial experience. Where they can find out if their startup ideas are viable. It’s the ultimate in experiential entrepreneurship education.

Startup Weekend Jamaica is produced by the Jamaican franchise holder ConnectiMass Foundation along with its local and global sponsors and partners.

How it Works
Beginning with open mic for idea pitches on the Friday, attendees bring their best ideas, take 60 seconds to pitch to judges. The top 20 ideas move forward and the owners of those ideas then have to inspire and pitch to others to join their team. Over Saturday and Sunday teams focus on customer development, validating their ideas, practicing LEAN Startup Methodologies and building a minimal viable product. On Sunday evening teams show their prototypes, pitch their final versions to a panel of judges for valuable feedback plus prizes and awards.

Who is Startup Weekend Jamaica for?
Anyone age 16 and up who has an idea that uses technology, the internet or mobile platforms and wants to know if their idea is viable, want to launch their own startup or even be part of one. It is open to senior high school and college students, aspiring and current entrepreneurs, developers, designers, marketing and business heads in Jamaica and the Caribbean.

How Much Does it costs? Each attendee pays JM$3,500| US$35 per person. Among the lowest across Startup Weekend events entry fee across the World.

What Will Participants be provided with?
Each Participant will be provided with a secure, air conditioned space with tables, chairs, white boards, fast 24/7 internet access, a SWJM tshirt, lanyrd and stickers, plus 9 meals, snacks, drinks, water, coffee and tea over the 3 days. Participants will have access to coaches, mentors and online services from local and global sponsors to facilitate their work.

What Will Participants Need to Bring?
Participants need to bring their own laptops, desktops, tablets, mobile phones, powers cords to facilitate their work.

As the event gets closer Join the community on Facebook and Twitter for more updates.

Take Your Idea, Launch Your Startup…Be Part of the Global Startup Movement. ‪#‎jmsw‬

Want to be involved as a sponsor, coach, mentor – email ingrid at connectimass.com

Global Brands Sponsoring Startup Weekend Global are: Microsoft Biz Spark, Google for Entrepreneurs, Amazon Web Services and Coca Cola.