The global movement Startup Weekend is launching in Kosovo 2nd – 4th of December 2011. The event will be opened by the Norwegian Ambassador to Kosovo.
The world is changing with the development of technology, Internet and social networks, thus creating opportunities for people across borders to start companies. The trend makes it possible for even young and inexperienced entrepreneurs to create global companies from their homes. The formula is proposed to be a large doze of passion, a good team and hard work. A significant network don´t hurt either.
The reasons why we see this opportunity of today is mainly due to some strong trends within the development of the Internet
· Software startup costs are low
· The world is connected through social media
· Enabled continuous customer feedback-loop
These trends are what Startup Weekend has spotted, and therefore educate entrepreneurs to learn the methods and provide the resources to take the first step into the startup world. They provide the entrepreneurial education to get started, a real kick-start to meet other passionate entrepreneurs, find a co-founder, get inspired, and even launch products!
No talk. All action.
“Startup Weekend is an intense weekend long experience where passionate entrepreneurs meet to expand their network, share ideas, form teams, and launch startups.”
It is a hands-on weekend long experience where entrepreneurs and aspiring entrepreneurs can find out if startup ideas are viable together with other passionate people. Beginning with open mic pitches on Friday, attendees bring their best ideas and inspire others to join their team. Over Saturday and Sunday teams focus on customer development, validating their ideas, practicing LEAN Startup Methodologies and building a minimal viable product. On Sunday evening teams demo their prototypes and receive valuable feedback from a panel of experts.
Startup Weekend was founded 3 years ago by some young entrepreneurs on a mission to educate entrepreneurs and build communities around the world, and commits to delivering the world’s premier experiential education for entrepreneurs on a global level. It quickly became a nexus for early stage startup activity in communities across the globe. By now, Startup Weekend had built a network of over 35,000 alumni, 300 events done and 100 more planned – with over 2500 startups created.
Why should participants attend the event?
· Education (learn new skills)
· Build network
· Co-Founder Dating
· Learn a new skill
· Actually launch a business
· Get face time with thought leaders
· Join a global community
Launching in Prishtina
The first Startup Weekend is brought to Kosovo by an UD project by Athene Prosjektledelse, through the leader of Startup Weekend Norway that has been working on building an ecosystem for young IT-entrepreneurs in Norway, and wants to share that knowledge to build the ecosystem in Kosovo. Together with the local team it is now 50 sign-ups and a number of great international mentors that are arriving; John Sechrest (expert in building ecosystem for entrepreneurship US), Peter Sunde (Berlin/Malmö-based Scandinavian entrepreneur, and Kushtrim Xhakli (serial entrepreneur) to mention some. And we truly believe this will have great impact on the entrepreneurial community in Prishtina. The date of the event is 2nd to 4th of December and will be opened by the Norwegian ambassador.
Read more here
Maja Hvammen Adriaensen- Project Manager, PSW. Photo: RNEWhat to expect in Prishtina, can companies be launched from here?
That's the beauty of the community; Startup Weekend creates opportunities across and within borders. Recently the Macedonian company CodeWell won the first place at the competition Europe Startup Weekend Battle with their product Trawell - Tourist guide. Rumors say that they are on the way to San Francisco to launch their product there.
To sign up