UPDATED 8/27 with winners:
There were 49 attendees, 27 ideas pitched, and nine teams formed.
Attendees came from Tennessee, South Carolina, West Virginia, and Georgia. One coach flew in from San Francisco, and facilitator Ramphis Castro, a software enginner, entrepreneur and director of the Founder Institute, flew in from Puerto Rico just ahead of Isaac.
Winners received prize packages including radio advertising and free desks at a downtown co-working space.
The “People’s Choice” winner was Work the Room, a platform for connecting conference attendees that creators called a cross between Evenbrite and Facebook.
Second place went to Memetize, a “meme advertising” company that uses internet memes to create eye-catching custom ads.
First place went to Make My Meal Day, a website created by a budding bodybuilder. It lets athletes and bodybuilders calculate their strict dietary needs, creates shopping lists and provides recipes.
Read the roundup from the AC-T here: Pitching business at Startup Weekend
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Asheville Startup Weekend is a tech-oriented new program in which teams of aspiring entrepreneurs work to develop a business idea–in one intense weekend.
Organized locally by Pam Lewis of the Asheville Chamber, Asheville CIO Jonathan Feldman and Lab Escape entrepreneur Trevor Lohrbeer, it offers networking, group learning, pitch practice and even prizes.
From the website:
After pitches are finished, all attendees will vote on their favorites, and using these votes the top ideas will be selected to be worked on over the weekend. Teams will form organically, consolidate, and begin working.
On Saturday teams work all day with occasional breaks. Coaches will circulate, providing advice in their field of expertise. On Sunday a jury will select the top teams and award prizes.
From the website:
Startup Weekend attendees’ backgrounds are roughly 50% technical (developers, coders, designers) and 50% business (marketing, finance, law). What unites all attendees is a common interest in entrepreneurship: whether a serial entrepreneur or new to the startup scene, every attendee is interested in working with a like-minded, motivated and skilled team to develop a product or business in one weekend.
From the site FAQ:
What is Asheville Startup Weekend?
An experience you’ll never forget. Think the 48-Hour Film Fest for techies, marketers & entrepreneurs. Work with a team to convert an idea into an operating business in 54 hours.
Who should attend?
Anyone who wants to learn or loves the process of creating a new product or service and turning it into a business. Attendees include makers, programmers, marketers, designers, builders, entrepreneurs and writers. Students get a special discount to participate.
Why should I attend?
To become inspired, forge lasting friendships, find co-founders & employees, learn new tools & methodologies, practice new skills and feel a sense of accomplishment.
Participating in Startup Weekend is an intense experience that allows you to grow rapidly and build deep relationships. It’s an experience like none other.
What can I expect?
Attendees meet Friday at 6:30p and start getting to know each other. After a dinner and inspiring presentations, you’ll go through six steps to build a new business by Sunday at 5pm:
Propose Your Idea
Build Your Team
Create Your Business Model
Connect with Customers
Build Your Product
Present Your Startup
The fee for Startup weekend is $99. Register here.