*Note: Pagesculptor Studios is proud to once again sponsor Fairbanks Startup Weekend, a 54-hour focus session where participants generate new ideas, develop them into a viable business model, and present in front of a panel of judges. Coming from a tech background and an even more technologically-based marriage, owner Rachael Kvapil likes to remind people that startups are not just about the technology. Below are her thoughts about this incredible event.
Rapid technological advancement has created a strange association with the word ‘innovation.’ People hear this word and assume that the ‘innovation’ must have been technological in nature. The same could be said about the word ‘startup.’ Media fixation with HBO shows like Silicon Valley, as well as a fixation with the actual Silicon Valley, CA with its thousand of tech startups, leave many thinking these entrepreneurial opportunities are geared for programmers, engineers, and research scientists.
This is not entirely true.
A number of the 10 Top Up-and Coming Startups are non-tech in nature. In fact, startups.co notes in their article that Will Schroter, CEO of Fundable, as identifying a major trend of moving away from tech-only startups and apps. This means the origin of innovation can come from any profession–artist, chef, farmer, postal worker, etc. Alice Rawsthorn makes this point in her 2016 TED Talk Pirates, nurses and other rebel designers. The innovations she highlights comes from the most unexpected sources (Blackbeard, really?). Instead Rawsthorn focuses on the traits necessary to implement innovation: bold thinking, vision, and persistence.
Fairbanks Startup Weekend is about gathering all the visionaries in one room and unleashing all that bold thinking and persistence into a 54-hour mission to build a viable business model. Intense? Yes. Super fun? Super yes! And the best part is that you won’t be alone. There will be a facilitator, mentors, and coaches to help you a long the way. So regardless if your product is tech-based or not, it’s more important to have people who are passionate about contributing their skills to unified vision.
Bring your ideas to our Friday pitch session, join up with a startup team and develop an idea on Saturday, and present your business model on Sunday. We provide everything (like food) to keep you going throughout the weekend. Register today at go.startupweekend.org/fairbanks
If you would like help bringing promoting your vision contact us today!