Startup Weekend returns to Reno

Startup Weekend, a global grassroots business-launching event, returns to Reno next weekend.

The event that runs Friday through Sunday at the Freight House District at Aces Ballpark assembles teams of people with business skills such as marketing along with folks who have software-related talents. They develop a concept for a business during the three-day event.

Participants begin pitching their ideas after dinner on Friday, assemble into teams that night, get to work on Saturday morning, work late into the night on Saturday before returning to work on Sunday, and present their plans for judging Sunday evening.

Startup Weekend in Reno will be one of 165 similar events that run simultaneously worldwide during the weekend. About 36 percent of firms created in Startup Weekend events worldwide are in operation three months after the event.

An events Web site application, Towner, that was the winner of the first Startup Weekend event in Reno in February, still is in development, co-founder Wes Nelson says.

Marc Nager, the chief executive officer and president of Seattle-based Startup Weekend, will spend the weekend with the Reno group.

“Reno has incredible potential to be another hub for startup activity. Having grown up in the area, I’m personally excited to come spend time in the community and hopefully add to the momentum with the second Startup Weekend event,” Nager said.

Tony DeVincenzi, co-founder of Sold (usesold.com), which was acquired by Dropbox, will be the keynote speaker for the Reno event. He’s is the son of Nevadan Larry DeVincenzi, principal of the Biggest Little Group.

Registration is $99. See details at swreno.org.

NNBW staff