WILMINGTON – The Techstars Startup Weekend, held March 29-31, 2019, in Wilmington, gave future entrepreneurs the opportunity to learn about team building, market validation, business models, and how to crowdsource creativity. Working under the pressure of a time deadline, participants accomplished more than many would-be entrepreneurs do in months of planning.
As important as the training were the contacts made. Participants networked with some of the city’s leading entrepreneurs and found out about organizations and individuals ready to help them with their startup plans.
Wilmington Techstars Weekend preps local startups for road to possible success
“It’s crazy how much gets done in a weekend,” Startup Weekend facilitator Aiko Cheslin remarked.
Here are few photos showing the wide variety of activities the group experienced.
The UNCW Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship provided conference space and major support for the Techstars weekend.
Alana Ashurst and Will Huse record random words generated by the participants. Teams were challenged to come up with a business idea, complete with logo, name and tag line in 10 minutes, based on three words from the list.
One of the more far-out 10 minute ideas: the Shillelagh Disaster Bar where you can pet full-size gators.
Eventual first place winner, 17 year old Nicole Castoro, began her winning streak early. Her concept received the most sticky note votes from fellow participants on Friday evening.
Cheslin explains the criteria that pitches will be judged on.
A few of the success stories on the Techstars boast list.
Cheslin confers with judges Gene Kemp and Bill Mansfield before presentations begin on Sunday afternoon.
Trinity Baldwin pitches FHOME, a line of temporary housing built from recycled Styrofoam. The team’s slideshow featured potential clients her team discovered during the validation exercise.
Ted McIntire presents the TriMedia pitch. Judges agreed that there’s a real need for this kind of service in the local area.
Demo sneakers from the weekend’s top prize winner: Shred & Tread, a line of sustainable footwear decorated with original artwork, concepted by Nicole Castoro.
Alana Ashurst and Will Huse present Bee Safe, an app that performs background checks on dating prospects. The concept received second place in the judging.
Israel Luquin pitches MELLOWHEELS, a beer, wine and tobacco delivery service. The concept received third place from the judges.
Sponsors of the Startup Weekend provided prizes, mentoring, judges, refreshments and other support.
Wrightsville Beach Brewery provided some of its boutique beers for the after party and networking session.
Even though they missed out in the awards, Trinity Baldwin and the FHOME team thought the weekend was worth their time and plan on pursuing their startup concept. “I learned an important lesson,” Trinity said. “Just go for it!”
