Montreal Tech Watch

Montreal StartupWeekend, a 54 hours startup competition and marathon, is planned 3rd, 4th and 5th of February in Montreal.

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————————- TICKETS AVAILABLE NOW ————————-
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EARLY BIRD TICKETS AVAILABLE AT $49. AFTER JAN 9TH, PRICED AT $75.

ATTENDEES # HARD CAPPED AT 150, GET ONE NOW, STARTUPWEEKEND TICKETS USUALLY SOLD OUT IN < 2 WEEKS

NO EXTRA TICKETS WILL BE ADDED

A few figures

Numbers: 2450 launched startups since 2007 /3500 entrepreneurs participated to the different events

What it means: it’s now supported by Google, Microsoft Bizspark and the Kauffman Foundation, recognized as such as a main driver of technology entrepreneurship. The format is very attractive for new entrepreneurs who can see if the startup career path is for them or not.

Numbers: 30% of the projects still alive 6 months after the Startup weekend

What it means: With the unleashed creativity and productivity during the weekend, teams find the energy to work on the projects, incorporate, raise funding, and much more, months after the event

Numbers: 10% of the created startups made their first profits OR raised funding

What it means: the startup eco-system (VCs, angel investors, analysts and bloggers, universities, engineering schools, entrepreneurial organizations etc.) recognize the value of Startup Weekend, and will support the most successful teams.

FAQ

Français/English

L’événement sera presenté en français — et aussi en anglais, et aussi  la documentation, le site et tout autre support.

Is it a conference or networking event?
No, you can’t go to StartupWeekend by expecting to listen to keynotes or talk to other entrepreneurs, developers or designers. Of course, there are networking events planned before and after the 54-hour marathon, and there are also plenty of opportunities to connect to mentors and executives, but expect to work/brainstorm/code/design/pivot/market/sell/pivot again/launch during StartupWekeend, in a level of intensity you’ve never experienced before.

Is it a business plan competition?
No, you can’t spend 54 hours focusing on excel/elevator pitch/slides. One of the main objectives is to present at least a minimum viable product at the end of the event. That means you have to have a website (or mobile app) to show, demonstrated market fit with early signups or early sales.

Is it a hackathon?
No. A hackathon gathers developers with the goal of producing code, libraries, or a site. StartupWeekend goes beyond that because it will ask you to present a startup, i.e. a technology business that can capture a market, that can be potentially funded by angel investors or VCs.

Can I present my existing startup?
No, judges will take into consideration only what you’ve begun done during the weekend. If you are currently growing a startup and still interested in participating, please consider working on a side-project or an independent service that could enhance or complement your existing startup

What if I don’t have other talent to work with?
You should find a very attractive idea to work on, and get people to work with you, before the event. Of course, you can also pitch the idea at the event on Friday pm, and with partners, we will also help in matching projects with existing talents.

Am I expected to work during 54 hours, go see all the mentors, etc.?
No. The resources such as space, Internet, food, mentors, guides etc are tools that are designed to help you, and it’s your decision to leverage them (or not). Most teams for instance see 1-2 mentors during the event, most take a good night of sleep Friday evening (helps to find good ideas for the startup), and might sleep a few hours Sat. evening. But it’s really up to you.

Are there any support after StartupWeekend, if the team decides to pursue the startup?
Most Montréal VCs and angels will be in the presentation, as well as other investors from the country. Other partners include entrepreneur-friendly law firms, accounting firms, as well as technology companies, marketing experts. As such, Montreal StartupWeekend is a great way to launch a startup and get it propulsed.

What is the ideal team composition?
A good team composition 1 business person + 1 developer + 1 designer. You can also do with one business person and one developer. In past startup weekends, there were also large successful teams, but after 7 or 8 team members, the laws of diminishing returns apply.

What are judges looking for?
An amazing team, great team members who is working on a big idea, and who has shown early feasibility (technical/business)

***********************************************************************
————————- TICKETS AVAILABLE NOW ————————-
***********************************************************************

EARLY BIRD TICKETS AVAILABLE AT $49. AFTER JAN 9TH, PRICED AT $75.

ATTENDEES # HARD CAPPED AT 150, GET ONE NOW, STARTUPWEEKEND TICKETS USUALLY SOLD OUT IN < 2 WEEKS

NO EXTRA TICKETS WILL BE ADDED