Launch a Business in 54 hours at Startup Weekend Crane

July 10, 2012 - PRLog -- Startup Weekend, an intense 54-hour brainstorming and business-building event, is coming to the Crane area October 5-7th, hosted by the soon to be completed Westgate Academy, at 13598 E. Westgate Drive, Odon, IN. The event is open to anyone interested in starting a business or working at a startup.

Startup Weekend Crane is being spearheaded by Matt Burris, one of two organizers for Startup Weekend Bloomington in May. Over 15 mentors, 12 company founders, 5 investors, and leaders in the startup community worked with over 50 participants in Bloomington. Two people were funded by investors, one to the tune of $100,000.

“Getting funded out of Startup Weekend is an amazing result that exceeded our expectations,” he said. “The one thing that stands out about the two people who were funded is that they had put in a ton of work before they came to Startup Weekend. They were ready to be funded.”

To help make Startup Weekend Crane even more successful, 12 weeks of educational events at Westgate during the lunch hour are planned to help people refine their business ideas and prepare themselves for investors. The events are free to attend and start on Tuesday July 17th at the Stimulus Westgate Training Facility.

“Westgate Technology Park offers the opportunity to develop a startup business in technology or in a service related business,” according to Charles Selby, Executive Director of the Westgate@Crane Technology Park. “Space is available to create a business through transferring technology from NSWC Crane to the commercial markets, as well as supporting those businesses with a day care facility, restaurants, health care, or other types of service industries.”

“To help fund local businesses, we are partnering with Localstake to help anyone make small investments in local businesses,” said Matt Burris. “Their platform will really help local business raise $75,000 to $1,000,000 from the people who know the businesses are needed in the area, such as a restaurant, day care, coffee shop, or gym.”

“Although real businesses do emerge from Startup Weekend, the biggest value is often the networking and mentorship from business owners and investors,” said Matt Burris. “Startup Weekend gets people to stop talking and start taking action to build their passion in to a business.”

The cost for the event is $99, with all meals included for the 2 ½ day event.  An early bird discount, reducing the fee to $75) is available through August. Students can receive discounted admission by emailing crane@startupweekend.org
To register or for more information about Indy Startup Weekend go to:  crane.startupweekend.org.

Startup Weekend is still looking for sponsors. “The program relies on sponsors to subsidize the cost of the event,” said Burris. “Given the positive economic impact the new businesses offer the area, sponsorship is a win-win for all involved.”

About Startup Weekend: Startup Weekend recruits a highly motivated group of engineers, developers, business managers, startup enthusiasts, marketing gurus, graphic artists and more to a 54-hour event that builds communities, companies and projects. It is an amazing opportunity to connect with other passionate and skilled individuals, and perhaps even find a co-founder or two to turn ideas into reality.

For more information contact:
The Startup Weekend Crane Organizers
crane@startupweekend.org