What Is Startup Weekend?

What is Startup Weekend?

Startup Weekend is a global network of passionate leaders and entrepreneurs on a mission to inspire, educate, and empower individuals, teams and communities. Come share ideas, form teams, and launch startups.

Startup Weekend Global Site

Past event…

Event Ended

College of New Caledonia, Prince George

Ever wondered what it takes to be an entrepreneur?

The professional and personal challenges, the high and lows, the failures and the success?

Startup Weekend is a global grassroots movement of active and empowered entrepreneurs who are learning the basics of founding startups and launching successful ventures. It is the largest community of passionate entrepreneurs with over 400 past events in 100 countries around the world in 2011.

The non-profit organization is headquartered in Seattle, Washington but Startup Weekend organizers and facilitators can be found in over 200 cities around the world. From Mongolia to South Africa to London to Brazil, people around the globe are coming together for weekend long workshops to pitch ideas, form teams, and start companies.

All Startup Weekend events follow the same basic model: anyone is welcome to pitch their startup idea and receive feedback from their peers. Teams organically form around the top ideas (as determined by popular vote) and then it’s a 54 hour frenzy of business model creation, coding, designing, and market validation. The weekends culminate with presentations in front of local entrepreneurial leaders with another opportunity for critical feedback.

Whether entrepreneurs found companies, find a cofounder, meet someone new, or learn a skill far outside their usual 9-to-5, everyone is guaranteed to leave the event better prepared to navigate the chaotic but fun world of startups. If you want to put yourself in the shoes of an entrepreneur, register now for the best weekend of your life!

What’s in it for me?

  • Meet other startup enthusiasts such as designers, developers, marketing gurus & change-makers
  • Build a startup or product in less than 54 hours
  • Learn how to collaborate and work creatively with a team
  • Build your network
  • 6-7 meals and drinks provided (Plus the Finale Dinner at the Copper Pig)
  • Prizes, swag, give-aways and more
  • Fun, fun, fun!

But I’m not a programmer, am I still welcome?

Startup Weekend isn’t just for developers! Teams, just like businesses need a diverse skill-set to succeed.  On average, half of Startup Weekend participants have technical backgrounds, while the other possess a business mindset. Whether you’re primarily software developers, graphics designers or business people such as marketers – if you have great ideas you’re dying to share with the world, love learning and meeting new people, it’s not too late to sign up for Startup Weekend Prince George and gain a real hands-on startup experience unlike any other.

Do I have to come with a business idea?

Not everyone has to have an idea. Come with an open mind and think about pitching a solution to a problem you think needs to be solved. It’s just a weekend… Just think about having fun. Perhaps your idea could be the next biggest thing!

(Tip: Northern BC is currently in a massive BOOM cycle in the industrial sector. Over $63million dollars are going to be invested in the North over the next 10 years through mining, LNG and other industrial projects. Ideas that help to solve industrial issues are in high demand. Do you see something that can help the industrial sector be more efficient? Save them time? Save them money? Make them cutting edge?)

Schedule

Friday

Mar 1
  • Registration Starts
  • Dinner & Networking
  • Welcome & Speakers
  • Pitches Start
  • Attendees vote for the top ideas
  • Teams start forming and discussing ideas
  • Start to formalize teams and take an inventory of skills. Be honest, and direct about what resources and skills are needed for the weekend. You may stay and work as late as the venue will allow
  • onwards until late

Saturday

Mar 2
  • Arrive, simple breakfast & coffee
  • Teams formed and setting up workspace for the weekend
  • Lunch
  • Call for needs & skills
  • Coaches help teams one-on-one. They are here to help!
  • Dinner and Mid weekend check-in, status reports, call for help
  • Finished for the day. You may stay and work as late as the venue will allow

Sunday

Mar 3
  • Arrive, simple breakfast & coffee
  • Coaches arrive to help & Call for help to other teams if need be.
  • Lunch
  • Start making your way over to the Copper Pig
  • Tech check for presentations
  • Doors open to ticket holders. Light Appetizers served. Cash Bar.
  • FINAL PRESENTATIONS
  • Judges take time to discuss. Everyone else mingle & network. Light Appetizers served. Cash Bar
  • Awards
  • Remaining Appetizers & Desserts. Celebration! Cash Bar.
  • Go home!
Tier 1 Sponsors
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Tier 2 Sponsors
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Judges

Albert Koehler

City Councillor   |  LinkedIn

Albert Koehler graduated as an Engineer, B.Sc. Agricultural and Forestry Machinery in Cologne, Germany. He received his M.Sc. and his Doctoral degree from the Technical University of Aachen, Germany. He is an author of 40 publications with half of them being scientific in nature. He is the Honorary Consul of Germany for all of the Northern BC. Albert is the Founder and President of Tribotec International Ltd., A&A Tools Inc., Maintenance Technology and the Training Institute of Canada Inc. As the President of NTES, Albert has been championing engineering and technology education in the North for over 8 years.

Lane Zirnhelt

Partner at KPMG   |  LinkedIn

Born and raised in Prince George, Lane graduated from the University of Victoria in 1997 with a Bachelor of Commerce degree and went on to earn his Chartered Accountancy designation in 2000. After graduating, Lane worked with KPMG in the Audit and Advisory groups in Vancouver and in Europe before entering the airline industry where, among other things, he helped start-up airlines raise equity and debt capital. Lane has since returned home to Prince George and has rejoined KPMG as a Partner in their Prince George office. Lane has been a director with Community Futures since September 2011.

Leslie Lax

Management Consultant   |  LinkedIn

Leslie Lax is passionate about regional economic development, especially in small and remote communities / regions. His specialties include: Economic development, strategic planning, facilitation
project management. He is the treasurer on the Community Futures Board and brings experience in both the public and private sectors.

Zelda Craig

Industry Liaison Officer   |  LinkedIn

Zelda Craig helps northern BC businesses maintain a competitive edge in the global economy by identifying opportunities to increase productivity through the adoption of digital technology. Through this position she also helps to reduce barriers to technology adoption, and find ways to support companies that need to develop new technologies.

She is also a certified Human Resource Professional with degrees in Psychology and Business. Zelda has helped organizations develop their leadership and supervisory skills through consulting, facilitation and training.

Ernest Daddey

Executive Director of Innovation Central Society   |  LinkedIn

Ernest Daddey is the Executive Director at Innovation Central Society in Prince George. As a results oriented Executive, he uses core competencies from technical, business perspective and transferable skills to grow businesses through strategic marketing, joint ventures, technology transfer, and innovation by targeting new markets, new products applications and opportunities. Vision is helping clients meet today’s challenges and take advantage of tomorrow’s opportunities. He is the founder of 3 start-up companies in BC,
Top10 finalist of the Telus NVBC inSept 06, has a patent filed in Inkjet Technology, and received the Innovation Award at Xaar Plc in Cambridge, UK.

Adele Yakemchuk

Consulting Manager at BDC   |  LinkedIn

Adele is the Consulting Manager at the Business Development Bank of Canada. She helps clients all over Northern BC meet and work with the right consultants and ensure a successful implementation of strategy, certification or any other project. She was also the past president of the Prince George Chamber of Commerce. Adele shares a passion for helping to grow businesses in the North. She has also served as a judge in past JDC West business case studies.

Steven Findlay

CEO at Noratek Solutions Inc   |  LinkedIn

Steve is the CEO of Noratek Solutions in Prince George. Noratek is now one of the largest high-tech companies in north-central British Columbia. They have a professional IT department that delivers computer hardware, software and service to small and medium sized businesses in north-central BC. Noratek does mobile data collection using smartphones to gather field data on site.

Tier 3 Sponsors
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Coaches

Jeff Leigh

Senior Director of Engineering for Cryogenic Systems at Westport Innovations Inc.   |  LinkedIn

Jeff Leigh is the Senior Director of Engineering for Cryogenic Systems at Westport Innovations Inc. Jeff is leading a team developing Liquefied Natural Gas fuel systems for on-highway trucks, large mining trucks, railway locomotives, and other applications, utilizing Westport’s HPDI technology. Prior to joining Westport, Jeff was the Vice President, Business Processes & Systems at Finning International with global responsibility for Business Improvement initiatives, process improvement, major projects, and IT. Jeff also brings us international business expertise from his time with Finning

Vaughan Bassett

Vice President at Pinnacle Renewable Energy Inc.   |  LinkedIn

An experienced entrepreneur, Vaughan Bassett brings his global business experience along with a passion for the environment and eco-friendly business. He has experience working in Africa, Asia Pacific, North America, Europe, and South/Central America. Vaughan is the Past President of Living Green Enterprises, a Start-up green business based in Toronto. Currently the Vice President of Pinnacle Renewable Energy, Vaughan spends his spare time writing thrillers focusing on corporate espionage. Vaughan has an MBA and a BSc with a major in Engineering Geology.

Clint Dahl

Real Estate Agent   |  LinkedIn

As an innate connector and a people person, Clint has been recognized as a real estate consultant gifted in speaking the language of many stakeholders. His contribution as a 6 year board member of Initiatives PG and also is passion for keeping up to date with global economies makes him a go to person in Northern BC for commercial real estate.

Prior to real estate, Clint spent 5 years in computer systems sales and then 6 years as the co-founder of Noratek Solutions Inc. During those years he was recognized by the business world a number of times as the Startup of the Year, Technology Innovator of the Year and Technology Provider of the Year.

We are excited to have the combination of his business brain, technology experience and vision for downtown Prince George. Definitely listen up when he comes by to mentor our teams at Startup Weekend.

Troy Dungate

Lawyer with Dungate & Co.

Troy was born and raised in Prince George. He is a graduate of the University of Victoria’s Bachelor of Commerce program and the University of Saskatchewan’s Bachelor of Law program. Troy has previously managed offices focusing in business development in Prince George, Langley, Victoria and Vancouver for TD Waterhouse. He now practices law with his family at their Prince George based law firm. Troy also serves as the Chair of the Community Futures Board.

Corey Naphtali

Partner at KPMG Enterprise   |  LinkedIn

Corey is a CA and Partner at KPMG in Prince George.

His expertise is in Financial Statement Auditing, Private Business GAAP, Internal Control Audit and Advisory Services, and Corporate Reporting and Governance

As an active part of the community, Corey is the Treasurer, Pacific Sport Northern BC, a Director, Prince George Chamber of Commerce and also the Director, Kiwanis Club of Prince George.

Alison Hoskins

Controller at Integris Credit Union

Alison Hoskins is a Chartered Accountant working as a Controller at Integris Credit Union. Her CA designation is combined with Bachelors in Business Administration with a focus on Organizational Behavior.

She will be a speaker at the upcoming Women of the North Leadership and Business conference.

In her spare time, Alison is a very active member of the community. She sits on the 2015 Canada Winter Games Host Society Board of Directors, is a part of the Cassie and Friends (Juvenile Arthritis) board, and organized the Kids Otway Challenge.

Franzi Ng

Straight-Line Coach   |  LinkedIn

Dr. Fränzi Ng is also known as CoachNg. She is a certified Straight-Line Coach and holds a doctorate in Leadership and Change.

She specializes in helping clients become high performing, effective leaders.

Since 1997, she has been working with hundreds of individuals, from every part of the globe, to help them reach higher levels of performance. Her clients often call her “The woman who specializes in breakthrough results.”

She grew up in Switzerland, climbed the Great Wall, speaks 4 languages, makes her own pasta, enjoys handling buffalo, loves singing arias and have been in the transformation business since her earliest childhood.

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Shauna Harper
Will Cadell
Zelda Craig
Chrystal Hollie Green
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