Startup Weekends create communities of like-minded entrepreneurs

“We’ve all had ideas, or at least we have friends that have had ideas, for that ‘next million-dollar company,'” says Marc Nager. The question of where do you go when you have one these ideas turns out to be pretty elusive.

So Startup Weekend will support you if you have dreams of leaving your desk-jockey job and striking out on your own. Or, if you just want to meet others with ideas.

“There is something kind of magical in the process,” Nager, CEO of Startup Weekend told KIRO Radio’s GeekWire. Over the weekend – just 54 hours, peers (mostly working professionals) gather to meet people at the same stage in life. They have ideas, they’re entrepreneurial in nature, and they really want to do something with their new concept.

New and seasoned entrepreneurs will take the first steps to start a company and find people to share with in their endeavor. Entrepreneurs put together prototypes and by the end of the weekend, they’re making their pitch.

While the goal for some is to start their own company, Nager emphasizes that creating a company in 54 hours isn’t easy, or the goal. Rather, it’s about finding a community of other like-minded creators.

“Part of the challenge in becoming an entrepreneur is getting off the bench and showing up somewhere in places where you’re not just going to hear some inspirational speaker; you’re going to meet all your peers and connect with the community and walk away with this cohort and this understanding of – ‘wow – I can actually build a company.'”

While startup events may seem like they’re limited to the tech developers of the world – Nager says it’s more than that. They’ve held startup specific events for educators, health care providers, and even an event focused on the possibilities of 3D printing.

Startup Weekends have taken place in 325 cities worldwide, and this year they’ll hold over 800 events. The next startup weekend in Seattle is June 7 at Redfin.

Listen to this episode of the GeekWire podcast here.