Massey becomes national Startup Weekend sponsor

Budding entrepreneurs across New Zealand will get to test their business ideas at one of 2013’s Startup Weekend events, thanks to the support of Massey University.

At least 10 separate events will be held in New Zealand in 2013, beginning with Startup Weekend Wellington on Feb 16-18. The popularity of Startup Weekend has seen events pop up in regional cities throughout New Zealand, in addition to the sell-out events held in the main centres.

Originating in the US, Startup Weekend is a huge international movement with events being held every weekend, from Ulan Bator to Buenos Aires, Paris and Palmerston North.

Professor Ted Zorn, head of Massey University’s College of Business, says Startup Weekend fits perfectly with Massey’s aim to build closer relationships with the business community and contribute to New Zealand’s economic success.

"As a university, Massey has carved out a reputation for being innovative and progressive, and we have a strong focus on initiatives that foster entrepreneurship, innovation, and commercialisation. The sharing of information and ideas and encouraging innovative thinking is what Startup Weekend is all about.”

Microsoft and BNZ are also new national sponsors in 2013, alongside important local sponsors in each Startup Weekend city that make the not-for-profit events possible.

Global Startup Weekend facilitator and Wellington startup investor Dave Moskovitz points to the number of business teams being born out of Startup Weekend. Transcribe Me, winner of Auckland Startup Weekend 2011, has raised more than NZ$2 million from offshore investors and at least four companies launched at Startup Weekend events have applied to digital startup accelerator Lightning Lab, looking to ramp up growth.

“It’s already having a huge impact in the ecosystem. Tickets are selling out well before the event itself; everyone wants to be involved. The fact Massey has come on board as national sponsor, and Microsoft and BNZ want to get in behind it, shows the support and track record Startup Weekend is building in New Zealand,” Moskovitz says.

The experience is unique, he says – fun, instructional, creative and hard work. There are even a number of Startup Weekend ‘junkies’ emerging, travelling the length of the country to attend successive events in different locations.

Startup Weekend Wellington 2013 will be the third held in the capital, and comes ahead of the inaugural events in Hawkes Bay and Dunedin. Palmerston North and Tauranga held their initial events in 2012, and Hamilton is lined up to have its first in November.  

Startup Weekenders bring business ideas to the opening pitch night, which are voted on by the room. This leads to teams forming around the best ideas on the night. The next 54 hours are all about creating a viable proposition, including a product prototype, by the end of the weekend. A panel of judges reviews the final pitch from each team and awards prizes.

Massey University is hosting Startup Weekend Wellington in 2013 at its new College of Creative Arts building and sees the event as a cornerstone experience for up-and-coming startup founders.