Startup Session in Johannesburg

Have a business idea, but lack time or resources to get started or would like to learn from helping another entrepreneur?

Join us for a full weekend event happening on the 2-3 October at Wits University where the goal is to start at least one company.

We will do this by gathering a group of people that all are interested in becoming IT entrepreneurs. Those of them that have a business idea will get a chance to pitch the idea (the elevator pitch). People then volunteer their weekend to help bring an idea that they believe in towards prototype stage.

We believe this can be done, because a weekend is short enough that people stay energized and long enough that a significant amount of work can be done by 5-10 people that work on an idea they believe in.

Participants: Anyone with a laptop that wants to be part of a technology startup.

We had a similar event about a month ago and are now joining with Johannesburg Center for Software Engineering (www.jcse.org.za) to do this on a quarterly basis.

Event registration here: http://jcse.org.za/events/startup-session

More information here: http://www.siliconcape.com/group/companykickstart

Also check this blog post: http://www.softwareengineer.org.za/so-you-want-to-start-a-business-...

Tags: networking

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Comment by Robert Fall on October 5, 2010 at 10:32: The weekend was an awesome opportunity to meet and network with other hopeful entrepreneurs and get connected with the JHB community. Despite the slightly disappointing turn out there were several teams who stayed the weekend and developed some prototypes.

We should definitely be spreading the word about this because with more people these events can be truly amazing!

Comment by Derek du Preez on October 5, 2010 at 0:29: Any feedback on the weekends event? Wish I could be there.

Comment by Mikkel Søgaard Christiansen on September 28, 2010 at 6:33: We now have 36 people registered and keeping registration open. Practical information about the event was sent out last night and is also available here: http://www.siliconcape.com/group/companykickstart/forum/topics/prac...

Comment by Robert Fall on September 16, 2010 at 12:06: " but the event should be measured by how many entrepreneurs leave Sunday evening with a prototype to take to market."

I think this is a great mind set to have.

Comment by Mikkel Søgaard Christiansen on September 16, 2010 at 11:14: The event is only starting Saturday at 09h00 and after a short introduction people will be given a chance to pitch. We will send out more info to the people that have registered as we get closer to the date.

So far things are going well and I think it will be awesome - but the event should be measured by how many entrepreneurs leave Sunday evening with a prototype to take to market.

Comment by Robert Fall on September 16, 2010 at 9:54: I'm wanting to come up from CPT. Hoping that it's gonna be as awesome as it is in my head!

Just registered. Are the pitches still open and will they take place on the Friday?

Comment by Mikkel Søgaard Christiansen on September 13, 2010 at 19:53: So far we have about 20 people registered and that was before we got some PR on ClassicFM's show on entrepreneurship.

If you plan to attend, but hasn't registered yet - please do so. It's free and we need to know roughly how many people to expect.

Comment by Adrian Bain on September 10, 2010 at 9:42: Thanks I just registered. Looking forward to it.

I am involved with an entrepreneur support initiative called Rival Pioneers join our Facebook group.
http://www.facebook.com/#!/group.php?gid=121667529638&ref=ts
Great for networking.

We are hosting a networking event on 21 September in Sandton. Check out the Facebook group for details.

Comment by Mikkel Søgaard Christiansen on September 10, 2010 at 6:36: Hi Adrian, wouldn't call myself a programmer either. Definitely think you should join us. Please have a look at the blog post above and register at JCSE (it's free).

You can also join our Silicon Cape group here: http://www.siliconcape.com/group/companykickstart

Comment by Adrian Bain on September 10, 2010 at 0:19: HI Mikkel

I have not the first clue about programming but I have a bit of business savy and would be keen to help in any way.

Would it be a waste for me to join you guys for the weekend?

Thanks