All you need is 

wifi ANd a dream.

Sparks Weekend 2023
All you need is wifi ANd a dream.

November 17th-19th

@Catalyst

601 E. Riverside Ave

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Event Agenda

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  • DAY ONE

    Friday 11/17

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  • DAY ONE

    Friday 11/17

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60 Second Pitch Night


For those of you who have come here with an idea, a concept or a dream, tonight is your time to shine and you only have 60 seconds to do it. Use your time wisely. Your pitch should be concise, descriptive and inspirational. 

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  • DAY TWO

    Saturday 11/18

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  • DAY TWO

    Saturday 11/18

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  • DAY TWO

    Saturday 11/18

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  • DAY TWO

    Saturday 11/18

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  • DAY TWO

    Saturday 11/18

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Hustle, Hack & Build Your MVP


Today is a day of action. You and your team should be focused on validating your business concept. Depending on what your business is, this may take different forms. It could be developing a prototype, outlining your minimum viable product (MVP), on-boarding early adopters or making your first sale.

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  • DAY THREE

    Sunday 11/19

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  • DAY THREE

    Sunday 11/19

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  • DAY THREE

    Sunday 11/19

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Final Sprint & Presentations


It’s time to wrap up whatever you’ve decided is the best mechanism to prove that your business is viable and focus on the presentation. Tonight’s presentation is the face of your business, no matter how hard you’ve worked this weekend, it comes down to these seven minutes to illustrate that you have a business that can withstand the challenges of the real world.

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Watch a recap of last years event:

About

Sparks Weekend

Your future business starts here.

Sparks Weekend is a three day event where entrepreneurs, innovators, developers, engineers, designers and marketers collide. The purpose of this event is to collaborate with other participants to build the foundation for a business over the course of a weekend.


The event starts with a rapid fire session of 60 second elevator pitches where participants who have business ideas pitch to the attendees. After pitches are given the business concepts will be voted on by all participants and the 10 top ideas will move on to recruit their team.


During a brief networking event, the innovators who's ideas were selected will find participants with complementary skill sets to join their team. Designated work areas will be selected for each team to use as their headquarters throughout the weekend.


What happens next is where the real magic happens and "sparks fly". From Friday evening through Sunday at 4pm there will be a mad dash as the teams try to prove their business concept, develop their minimum viable product (MVP) and potentially even sign up their first customers or early adopters. Select mentors will be assigned to teams to help guide teams through the process.


A refined business plan and weekend accomplishments will be presented on Sunday evening to a panel of judges. Three winners will be selected.


Sparks Weekend is an "all inclusive" event:

Breakfast, lunch, and dinner will all be provided to all participants.


Frequently Asked Questions

  • Who should attend?

    Anyone interested in a fast-paced, exciting opportunity to apply, hone, and learn skills, meet people, think like an entrepreneur, and, of course, have a passion for launching a for-profit business idea into reality. Don't worry if you don't have a specialized skill set; our "Startup Enthusiast" ticket is for everyone interested in joining a new business. 

  • What should I expect to accomplish?

    You will have the opportunity to present your idea, build or join a team, develop an idea into a minimum viable product (MVP), and pitch to our judges/investors for funding.

  • I’m not a developer, designer or marketer, can I still attend?

    Yes! The event is open to everyone!  Every business needs all types of people to be successful. Our "Startup Enthusiast" category is for all people interested in being a part of building a new business. 


    For example, if you are in finance. Every business needs cashflow management, good accounting, and bookkeeping.

  • Only software ideas and developers?

    No, the event is open to anyone with an idea for a business or an interest in being a part of building a company from the ground up. 

  • Can I come with my own team and idea?

    Yes, you can come with your own team and business concept that you have been working on. However, businesses already established with a business license are considered too far along for this event. 

  • 72 hours?

    Yes, the amazing opportunity is to pack massive ideation, creation, and funding into a weekend.  Sparks Weekend intends to launch businesses! Our goal is that you are infected by the energy and enthusiasm that you’ll engage, join a team, and stay for the whole experience. Our event is structured like a long hackathon. 

  • What if I can’t stay the whole time?

    It's okay if you need to step away for a period of time to attend to your other responsibilities. 

  • What if I don’t have a business idea?

    That’s okay! We encourage you to join a team that has an idea that inspires you to apply/hone your skills, and launch a new business!

Judges

Mentors

ORGANIZERS

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