Longmont’s 2nd annual Startup Week kicks off Monday
LONGMONT — Panel discussions and more than 75 presentations staged at more than 20 separate venues have been scheduled as part of next week’s Longmont Startup Week — and attendance is free.
The second annual event, to be held from Monday through Saturday, June 6-11, will feature keynote speakers, networking and mentoring, all focused on startup struggles and successes.
“Last year went extremely well, and this year should be even better with more than 100 speakers and panelists ready to share their expertise on a wide range of subjects,” said event director Jennifer Ferguson.
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Discussions will cover a range of topics including traditional and nontraditional funding opportunities, intellectual property, social media, crowdfunding, finance, food trucks, team building, artists, women entrepreneurs, high technology, applying for government grants and developing a startup culture.
“It’s a misconception to think this is just about high tech,” Ferguson said. “It is really a diverse topic, because a startup can be a home-based product destined for national stores, a food truck, a consulting company, a music business or a software developer of educational products.”
This year’s event will include expanded office hours to help more businesses take advantage of mentors’ expertise and experience, said Janine Ledingham, director of local business and startup community development for the Longmont Economic Development Partnership.
Mentoring office hours will be held from 7:30 to 8:30 a.m. Tuesday and Thursday at the Longmont Museum, at the same hour on Wednesday at the Plaza Convention Center, and from 1 to 3 p.m. Friday at the Archethought Co-working Space.
Startup Week organizers have partnered this year with the Longmont Chamber of Commerce to present a vendor showcase from 5 to 8 p.m. Wednesday at the Plaza Convention Center. Another addition are “Lunch Arounds” on Tuesday and Thursday, at which, Ledingham said, “attendees can sign up to have lunch with a fixed-price menu at various restaurants around Longmont and have topical conversations with a host who will facilitate the conversation.” Registration is required because the “Lunch Arounds” will have just 11 spots available per restaurant.
After-hours events are planned each night of Startup Week at various Longmont craft-beer locations including 300 Suns Brewing and Wibby Brewing. On Saturday, June 11, the event’s final night, Startup Week will participate in Rockmont 2016 at Roosevelt Park, hosted by Left Hand Brewing.
A schedule of events and list of sponsors is online at www.longmontstartupweek.com. Contact Ferguson at 303-525-3218 or jennifer@longmontstartupweek.com for more information.
