March 14, 2024
Shawnee State University’s Kricker Innovation Hub (KIH) will host its annual Startup Weekend: Portsmouth on Apr. 5-7. A Techstars event, Startup Weekend, a three-day program that has been held in over 150 countries around the globe, provides participants with the opportunity to think, work, and build as a startup business.
“Startup Weekend is a fantastic event,” said KIH Entrepreneurship Program Coordinator, Derrick Parker. “Held over three days, it really teaches participants to not only think like a startup – but to act as a team. It’s a really fun, engaging event.”
Last year’s Startup Weekend: Portsmouth winner, SSU alumnus Kade Tomlinson, went on to participate in Ignite Portsmouth where he finished among the Top 5. He is still working on the business he originally pitched, “Button Butter” – a product used to clean and lubricate electronic devices.
“Startup Weekend was very beneficial,” said Tomlinson during last year’s event. “There are a lot of people who struggle to meet new people, but this allows you to throw something against the wall, see if it sticks, and network with a lot of great mentors along the way. It’s a great way to get ideas out there and practice the process of creating a real company.”
During the event, participants will work in teams to build a business concept in only 54 hours. Teams will be able to pitch startup ideas, work with mentors, create surveys and conduct market research, and develop minimum viable products. The event will culminate in a pitch in front of a panel of expert judges to receive feedback and compete for cash prizes for the top three teams.
“I also want to thank all of our generous sponsors who make Startup Weekend: Portsmouth possible,” said Parker. “Thanks to local restaurants like Port City Café & Pub, Market Street Café, and Toro Loco for feeding everyone, but also to Maddie Burnside and the Glockner Family for providing prize funds. This community is rallying behind entrepreneurship and what we are doing at the Kricker Innovation Hub and it’s amazing to see.”
The event will be held in the Kricker Innovation Hub located at 221 Chillicothe Street, Portsmouth, Ohio. Registration for the event is free and can be completed online at ssuinnovation.com/swportsmouth.