Startup Weekend Eugene

    Friday, January 18 - 20, 2019


  1. Overview
  2. Schedule
  3. Speakers
  4. Judges
  5. Coaches and Mentors
  6. Sponsors
  7. Organizing Team
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Startup Weekend Eugene

Friday, January 18 - 20, 2019


Friday, January 18 - 20, 2019
Event starts at 6:30 pm

RAIN Eugene
942 Olive St
Eugene, Oregon 97401

Buy Tickets

Your idea in 54 hours

Do you have an idea you'd like to pursue or a problem you'd like to solve but don't know where to start or who to start with? 

Techstars Startup Weekend is the place to look for a team, create a prototype of your idea, validate your business idea, and receive feedback from experienced entrepreneurs, all in one weekend.

What do you need to bring?

Lots of energy! You'll pitch your own idea or listen to others, then vote on the most interesting ideas and form teams with diverse skill sets. You can come with friends, but you’ll get the full experience if you participate in separate teams. Remember, it’s all about the team.

Your idea should be something you have not previously worked on. The idea you pitch and the problem you set out to solve can span social, educational, financial, environmental, or other issues. Over the course of the weekend you'll be challenged to create a prototype of your MVP, or minimum viable product, that fits the needs of your target customer. You'll get feedback, iterate, and likely pivot your approach entirely! Important: You cannot have worked previously on your idea.

Techstars Startup Weekend is a full weekend long experience. Your ticket includes:

  • 7 full (and delicious) meals over the course of the weekend
  • Benefits and discounts from our global partners
  • One-on-one time with amazing mentors
  • A new network of developers, designers, and entrepreneurs eager, like you, to change the world.
  • All the internet and coffee you can consume.

Watch the video below to see what you can expect, and if you’re feeling inspired click on the “Buy Ticket” button now!

Still have questions, feel free to reach us at “eugene@startupweekend.org”.

Don’t wait any longer and join the Techstars Startup Weekend movement!

No talk, all action!

See what it's all about

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EVENT SCHEDULE

Friday January 18th


6:30 pm
Registration
Arrive at the venue and get checked in


7:00 pm
Dinner & Networking
Eat food, share ideas, practice pitches, get to know fellow participants


7:20 pm
Welcome & Speakers
Review agenda for the weekend and introduce speakers, coaches, and community leaders


7:30 pm
Pitches Start
Optionally line up to give your pitch


9:00 pm
Voting
Attendees vote for the top pitches


9:15 pm
Form Teams
Teams start forming and discussing ideas


10:00 pm
Begin Work
Start to formalize teams and take an inventory of skills. Be honest, and direct about what resources and skills are needed for the weekend. You may stay and work as late as the venue will allow

Saturday January 19th


9:00 am
Breakfast
Arrive, simple breakfast & coffee


9:30 am
Begin Work
Teams formed and setting up workspace for the weekend


12:00 pm
Lunch


1:00 pm
Check-In
After-lunch check-in, status reports, call for help


2:00 pm
Coach Meetings
Coaches help teams one-on-one. They are here to help!


4:00 pm
Optional - Makerspace
942 Olive Makerspace will be open to participants until 8pm


6:30 pm
Dinner


7:30 pm
Check-In
After-dinner check-in, status reports, call for help


10:00 pm
Wrap-Up
Finished for the day. You may stay and work as late as the venue will allow

Sunday January 20th


9:00 am
Breakfast
Arrive, simple breakfast & coffee


9:00 am
Optional - Makerspace
942 Olive Makerspace will be open to participants until 11:30am


10:00 am
Check-In
Team check-ins. Ask questions about presentation requirements.


12:00 pm
Lunch


12:30 pm
Coach Meetings
Coaches arrive… ASK QUESTIONS


3:00 pm
Presentation Prep & Tech Check
Final hours of worktime should be focused on perfecting your presentation, tech-check for final presentations also takes place


4:00 pm
Dinner


5:00 pm
Final Presentations


7:30 pm
Judging & Awards


8:30 pm
Wrap-Up


9:00 pm
Go Home!

Speakers


Steve Zimba
Founder and CEO at NULIA

Steve Zimba is a seasoned senior executive with a deep passion for innovating and
growing technology businesses. He has a unique blend of strategic planning, business
development, channel building, sales and marketing, and operational skills which has
produced significant results in a broad range of opportunities. In his role as CEO at
Nulia, Steve is driving a vision to make cloud easy by providing platforms and services
to help business adopt and deeply use digital technologies to accelerate personal
productivity and business performance. 

Prior to Nulia, Steve had a variety of leadership roles in the IT and cloud services
industry. Steve led creation of the MaaXcloud professional services business, building
products and services helping several thousand business migrate to the cloud. Steve
was also a key executive leader at Microsoft, helping create early version cloud services
leading to what is now Office365 and Azure. Prior to Microsoft, Steve held leadership
and advisory roles in a number of early stage businesses focused on growing cloud IT
services including ListenN, Vidtel, U4EA, Cbeyond and BellSouth. Steve’s IT career
began with American Management Systems and Cap Gemini, where he had roles
building and implementing both packaged software solutions and bespoke systems
development projects.


Michele Zimba
Founder and COO at NULIA

Michele Zimba is an operations executive with experience in investment banking, retail
brokerage and technology. As Nulia’s President and COO, Michele is responsible for all
aspects of business and customer operations. She works with our partners, customers,
team members, and the community to spread Nulia’s vision of deep adoption and usage
as an integral part of the digital transformation journey. Michele is passionate about
diversity and inclusion, and is committed to strengthening the tech community by
creating opportunities for individuals from a wide variety of academic, social, and
professional backgrounds.

Prior to joining Nulia, Michele spent the last four years establishing the MaaXcloud
brand, and in her capacity as the Vice President of Business and Customer Operations
was instrumental in growing MaaXcloud into a profitable and industry recognized leader
in the cloud technology customer experience. Prior to joining MaaXcloud, Michele held
a variety of executive and board positions within the financial services industry focused
on compliance, audit and operations.

Event Judges


Brittany Quick-Warner
President & CEO at Eugene Area Chamber of Commerce

Brittany is active in Eugene area public policy and planning, community outreach and engagement, as well as a variety of high-impact leadership initiatives, from board of directors to economic development committees.


Molly Rogers
Design Professional and Entrepreneur

Molly is an experienced product designer, having worked in the aerospace, semiconductor and sporting goods industries. She is a mechanical engineer and has her formal design training in architecture. Molly combines her skills to push the boundaries of inclusion in design. As an entrepreneur she relies on all her experience to create a brand, design products and packaging and move forward in a great deal of ambiguity.


Gregory Fortner
VP Business Operations and Chief of Staff

I have co-founded a tech company, an entertainment company and a print media company. My projects have ranged from leading cross-functional teams in developing strategic marketing plans and software product development; to guiding casts of hundreds through large scale live entertainment productions across four continents. 


Mike Biglan
Technology Architect and Entrepreneur

My passion is creating innovative tech products that people love. With more than 17 years creatingtechnology products and companies, from coder to CTO to CEO, I lead teams to create uniquetechnology solutions that push the envelope on user experience, scalability, and elegance.

Coaches and Mentors


Joe Maruschak
Chief Startup Officer | Director at RAIN - Regional Accelerator and Innovation Network

Joe is the Chief Startup Officer and Director of the RAIN Eugene Accelerator, a program that works with high-tech entrepreneurs and university researchers to launch start ups. RAIN (the Regional Accelerator and Innovation Network) is a government-funded initiative to invest in the creation of high-growth, technology companies in Oregon and accelerate the states transition from a resource-based to a knowledge-based economy.


Caine O'Brien
Consultant, Interim Executive

Senior software industry executive with a wide range of experience including CEO (raised venture capital in the UK), general management, and executive positions in product management, marketing, and engineering management. Background also includes field/inside sales and technical support. Digital and analog hardware experience in addition to software. Four patents in software/hardware technology. 


Shula Jaron
Executive Director, FertiLab

R&D manager experienced in leading large multidisciplinary programs. 


Wendy Morgan
CEO and Entrepreneur

CEO VR Training Solutions.


Corey Wright
Linn Benton Venture Catalyst

Corey Wright is the dedicated Venture Catalyst for Linn and Benton counties. 


Melissa Prestinario
Entrepreneur & Creative Marketing Specialist

CEO & founder of Seat Slicker. The creator of the waterproof and fashionable bicycle seat cover.


Mary Craighead
Senior Consultant at Oregon Manufacturing Extension Partnership (OMEP)

As a Manufacturing Consultant at OMEP, Mary helps small and medium-sized manufacturers grow their businesses to become more competitive.


Katherine Moyer
Attorney

Katherine regularly works with businesses engaged in raising funds from investors, from seed financing for early-stage companies to venture capital investments as companies mature.  She works with early-stage businesses generally on entity formation, contracts among business founders, and corporate governance issues. 


Garrett Ledgerwood
Bankruptcy and Creditors' Rights Attorney at Hershner Hunter, LLP

Garrett is an attorney at Hersher Hunter.


Ben Garney
Founder & Chief Engineer of The Engine Company

Ben is a serial entrepreneur and founder of The Engine Company


Devin McKinney
CEO at Lombard-McKinney

Devin is a seasoned marketing professional, startup founder, and mentor.


Robert Scherle
Co-founder Conversant Products

Robert is the co-founder of Conversant Products and an active mentor in the Eugene startup community.


Madison Page
Founder at Core to Coeur

Madison Page is the Founder of Core to Coeur, heart centered online fitness for women. 


Thomas Price
Director of Client Relations, PacInfo

PacInfo, Inc. is the fastest, friendliest and most reliable IT and Internet Solution Provider in LaneCounty.


Nathan Gustafson
Senior Applications Developer at Convention Management Resources (CMR)

Entrepreneur and technical founder with a desire to change the world for the better.


Orion Matthews
CEO of Queryon & Entrepreneur

Orion is a technology executive, nonprofit expert and an entrepreneur. 


Spencer Holton
CEO of Trail Supply Co.

Spencer is the founder of Trail Supply Co and a student entrepreneur in residence at UO.


Shane Johnson
Mentor-In-Residence, RAIN Eugene; Managing Director of the Coast to Crest Fund

Mentor-In-Residence, RAIN Eugene; Managing Director of the Coast to Crest Fund


John Boosinger
Director of Scientific Instrument Design at University of Oregon

Founder of Rhithwir, a VR hardware startup company.


Kiki Prottsman
CSEd Program Developer & Consultant

Kiki is an experienced CSEd Developer, Author, & advocate for inclusion and equity in technology.


Chris Lee
CTO at Local Traffic Corporation

Experienced entrepreneur/full stack developer and founder of Local Traffic Corporation/Concierge365.

Event Sponsors, and Partners

The Startup Weekend Eugene team is grateful for the support of local community partners without whom this event would not be possible.
Learn how to become a sponsor here.

Platinum

Gold

Silver

Bronze Sponsorship

Community Sponsorship

Organizing Team

Techstars Startup Weekend Eugene is 100% led by volunteer community leaders.
Learn how to get involved here

  • Lauren
    Jerome
  • Elaine
    Pandolfi
  • Jeremy
    Green
  • Nam
    An
  • Emily
    Clyde
  • Chris
    Sjoblom
  • Vanessa
    Watkins
  • Sarah
    Vajgert
  • Elise
    Lockwood
  • Ariel
    Ruben
  • Terrie
    Monroe
  • Sean
    Johnson
  • Corum
    Ketchum
  • Kate
    Harmon
  • Jocelyn
    Blore

Facilitators


Josh Miller
CEO

Josh David Miller is the CEO of Mindbox Studios, a custom software development shop and innovation lab, where he works with a diverse group of creatives, strategists, investors, and engineers to help startup founders turn their ideas into winning products and get them to market.

Leveraging a background in large-scale marketing analytics initiatives and an intense passion for science and education, JDM has helped dozens of startup achieve product-market fit by focusing on hypothesis testing, measurement, and rapid iteration. He believes creating memorable, delightful user experience is paramount. He also believes creating great products means embracing failure. If one has never had a bad idea, how would she know if it was a good one?

Oh, and JDM only uses his powers for good.

Event Staff


Jeremy Cummings
Strategic Associate at Sohr Foods, Inc.

Jeremy enjoys working with food startups in Lane County and building his company.


Nikole Gipps
Website Hero/CEO at That Super Girl

Also known as "the robot lady" for her work with the Eugene Coding Initiative and Gigabots program.


Rory Fox
Sales Engineer at EDX Wireless

Engineer, pancake lover, and voiceover guy.


Daniel Su
Application Engineer at IDX, LLC

Daniel enjoys creating innovating technology with human centered design for businesses and organizations.


Lindsay Stickney
IT Project Management Specialist

Lindsay is a builder/creator who is here to challenge, innovate, and make change. 


Arianne Fredenburg
UX Designer

Arianne is an experienced teacher breaking into UX design with a demonstrated history of strong leadership and industry skills.


Hannah Pugel
Director of Finance and Human Resource at Mindbox Studios

Hannah is on a never ending quest to see financial growth in business, women in tech, and diversity appreciated.

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