Registration is underway for the second annual Startup Weekend Texarkana Friday through Sunday, April 21-23, in the University Center on the A&M-Texarkana campus, 7101 University Ave., Texarkana, Texas.
Startup Weekend Texarkana is an event designed for entrepreneurs to meet, share ideas and launch new businesses. It is open to anyone with a great idea and the desire to make that idea a reality.
While many Startup Weekend attendees have technical, design, or business interests and backgrounds, people with creative and artistic aptitudes also are necessary. Everyone is welcome.
“Startup Weekend is a global network of passionate leaders and entrepreneurs on a mission to inspire, educate and empower individuals, teams and communities,” said Dr. Gary Stading, dean of the College of Business at A&M-Texarkana. “In just 54 hours, participants experience the highs, lows, fun and pressure that make up life at a startup. As they learn how to create a real company, they’ll meet the mentors and sponsors who are ready to help them get started.”
Tickets are $50 for the general public and $25 for all students. Individuals and teams from colleges, universities and schools are encouraged to attend.
To register online, visit https://www.eventbrite.com/e/startup-weekend-texarkana-0417-tickets-29862324015. Participants may enter the code, TAMUT, to receive a $10 discount.
Beginning with open-mic pitches on Friday, April 21, attendees bring their best ideas and inspire others to join their team. Over Saturday and Sunday, teams focus on customer development, validating their ideas, practicing startup methodologies and building a minimal viable product. On Sunday evening, teams demonstrate their prototypes and receive valuable feedback from a panel of experts.
Dr. Stading and faculty from the College of Business will greet participants from 6:30-7 p.m. with dinner, networking, pitches and voting throughout the evening.
On Saturday, April 22, participants will work in teams from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. to develop their ideas. A volunteer team of coaches will be available throughout the weekend to provide assistance. On Sunday, April 23, the participants will again work all day and will present their business plans to a panel of judges.
Participant presentations will be open to the public free of charge at 5 p.m. on Sunday, April 23. Judging and awards will take place at 7:30 p.m.
For additional information and registration, contact Dana Scott in the A&M-Texarkana College of Business at Dana.Scott@tamut.edu.
