Hayward campus to host 'Startup Weekend East Bay' for aspiring entrepreneurs

• May 30, 2014 6:00am

Ever wonder what it takes to be an entrepreneur? A number of current and former Cal State East Bay students and other members of the campus community have come together to organize 54 hours of workshops and other learning activities to explain how, introducing the process for current and prospective developers, marketers, product managers and startup enthusiasts.

It's called Startup Weekend East Bay and will be taking place beginning Friday, May 30 at 6 p.m. on the Hayward campus. It runs through Sunday, June 1, officially closing at 9 p.m.

Startup Weekend programs and events are open to all CSUEB students who want to expand their network of contacts and develop their skills for "building success," said one of the key organizers, Jerry Chang, former president of the Associated Students Inc.

What generally will be covered during Startup Weekend are what professional and personal challenges students will face, including highs and lows, along with potential failures and the successes. Further information about the Startup Weekend East Bay event, including participant registration, speakers, schedules and workshop topics, can be found at Startup Weekend East Bay.

Startup Weekend is a global grassroots movement of active and empowered entrepreneurs who are learning the basics of founding startups and launching successful ventures. It is the largest community of passionate entrepreneurs with over 1800 past events in 120 countries around the world in 2014.

The non-profit organization is headquartered in Seattle, Washington but Startup Weekend organizers and facilitators can be found in over 200 cities around the world. From Mongolia to South Africa to London to Brazil, people around the globe are coming together for weekend long workshops to pitch ideas, form teams, and start companies.

All Startup Weekend events follow the same basic model: anyone is welcome to pitch their startup idea and receive feedback from their peers. Teams organically form around the top ideas (as determined by popular vote) and then it’s a 54 hour frenzy of business model creation, coding, designing, and market validation. The weekends culminate with presentations in front of local entrepreneurial leaders with another opportunity for critical feedback.

Whether entrepreneurs found companies, find a cofounder, meet someone new, or learn a skill far outside their usual 9-to-5, everyone is guaranteed to leave the event better prepared to navigate the chaotic but fun world of startups. 

-- Barry Zepel