Creators, doers and visionaries aspiring to launch new startups will come together Feb. 21 to Feb. 23 to launch innovative business ideas in just 54 hours at the University of Oklahoma Startup Weekend event. Taking place at the Center for the Creation of Economic Wealth on the OU Research Campus, highly motivated community members from all backgrounds will get an intense, accelerated look at the entrepreneurial process as they build business plans, marketing strategies and websites, apps or software. Startup Weekend OU is part of the national Startup Weekend event series, sponsored by Google for Entrepreneurs.
“Each year, Startup Weekend OU brings together more movers and shakers from the Oklahoma City metro area,” said Susan Moring, Strategic Analyst at the Center for the Creation of Economic Wealth and Startup Weekend Facilitator. “It’s an outstanding event that connects like-minded individuals from across the state to launch new businesses and enrich the entrepreneurial spirit in Oklahoma.”
Participants register for a weekend of learning and collaboration, and self-organize into teams to kick-start new businesses based around the most popular participant ideas. Over the course of the weekend, teams will have access to expert mentors, including veteran entrepreneurs and economic development experts. After working through the weekend, the teams pitch their ideas -- typically mobile or web applications -- to a panel of judges for the opportunity to win $250 of in-kind services.
Participants get access to networking sessions as well as meals for the entire weekend with a $40 registration fee. For students with any valid student ID, the fee is $25. The event will take place on OU’s Research Campus at the Center for the Creation of Economic Wealth in Three Partners Place, 201 David L. Boren Blvd., Suite 100, Norman, OK 73019. To register, visit ou.startupweekend.org.
Startup Weekend OU is hosted by the Center for the Creation of Economic Wealth and sponsored by OU’s Office of the President, Price College of Business’ Center for Entrepreneurship and Coca-Cola Co.
