Startup Weekend aims to draw out biz concepts

CEBU, Philippines - Anyone who has an eye for design and a bright entrepreneurial idea has the power to turn it into a successful business, as what Startup Weekend believes.

Generating breakthrough ideas and launching startup businesses, Startup Weekend finally breaks in the Visayas region to be held in Lahug, Cebu on May 11-13 at the University of the Philippines – Visayas Cebu College. 

With its motto “No Talk. All Action. Launch a Startup in 54 hours”, developers, designers, marketers, technopreneurs, and venture capitalists come together to share ideas, carve out business plans, complete prototypes, and discover if their ideas can become viable businesses.

Event lead organizer Mark Abella said that participants will pitch start-up concepts and will be taught by their mentors to develop such ideas into a real business, attract investors and earn money from it.

He noted that the coolest team who can show the best idea what Cebu can offer will be awarded as the winner and can get a sponsorship from investors in Singapore, Globe and within the country.

“In 54 hours, someone can have an idea. Everywhere in the world has an entrepreneurial spirit. Start-up Weekend is a franchise where ideas can come from anywhere with a team that can execute. In such a way, we want Cebu to prosper and thrive more,” Abella stated.

Driven by the grassroot community and not corporations, Dave Overton of Sym.ph said that Startup Weekend is an avenue in getting the right people in the right place with the right ideas.

A solution for the transportation crisis or traffic jam in Cebu for instance, he added, can be a best example of a startup idea for Cebuano enthusiasts.

As the premier event partner, Globe New Business Group Consultant Christian Besler encourages everyone to try, share their ideas and join Startup Weekend.

“Brilliant ideas should not be a bubble dream that can just burst anytime. Make your idea happen and make an investor to sign in,” he said.

Though it may not be a guarantee for attendees to get out with an investor after the event, Besler advised startups to continue on trying and accept failures along the way.

He noted that there is no age limit in introducing their concepts and building networks, whether someone is still a student or already an adult.

“Ideas do not depend on how old you are but how you can make it happen. We’re just here to help. “

Along with Besler, tapped as mentors are Jay Fajardo of ProudCloud, Jonathan Lansangan of Dynamic Objx, Eugene Fabian and Alex Goh of Microsoft Singapore, finance professional Bryan Low, Albert Padin of SpellDial, Ppip Cimafranca, Chris Ducker of VBS, Eric Su of Twidl Inc., Paul Villacorta of Cebu Directories, Gwendolyn Regina Tan, and Ruben Licera Jr. of RLComm International.

The panel of judges composed of Alvin Gendrano of Microsoft, Winston Damarillo of Morphlabs, Jean-Patrick Bisson of ClickingLabs.com, Harm Rietjens of Caresharing, Vinnie Lauria of Golden Gate Ventures, Jay Aldeguer of the Islands Group, and Kickstart Ventures president Minette Navarrete.

Supported around the world by the nonprofit organization based in Seattle, Washington, USA, the hands-on experience happens over the course of one weekend -- starting Friday 6pm and ending Sunday night, accommodating 100-150 interested participants who will register in http://cebu.startupweekend.org until May 11 or while slots are available.

After the successful inaugural staging in Manila last year with 200 attendees and 68 startup ideas, event organizers decided to increase the number of events and cities in the Philippines for this year with another Startup Weekend in Manila on April 27-29 and Davao on October 2012. 

Members of Startup Weekend Cebu organizing team are Tins Amper of TechTalks, Paola Galan, Fleire Castro of Third Team Media, Mark Buenconsejo of CareSharing Inc., Ian Bert Tusil of NextSparks Studios Co., Vicki Saguin of Cebu Institute of Technology University, Pauline Wade of the University of the Philippines, and Ryan Hermocilla. (FREEMAN)