Boulder Startup Week is a major event for our local tech industry. On May 11th – 15th, the startup community celebrates its achievements and shares many of its upcoming ventures. The 5-day conference brings together aspiring tech entrepreneurs and successful companies—not just from Boulder, but the entire country—making it a big networking and mentoring opportunity. The events are free, open to the public, and geared toward those in the tech industry. Here’s what you need to know about Boulder Startup Week and how you can be involved:
Informative Lectures
If you’re considering entering the tech scene or expanding your current business, Startup Week has several meetups and presentations that can inspire you and help get your enterprise going. For those interested in improving their computing or web-based skills, the conference offers several informative lectures, located at venues throughout the city. You can browse through Startup Week’s schedule and register online for lectures and events.
One series of talks is on the Internet of Things (IoT), aimed at engineers and developers interested in wireless communication and sensor technology. The slate of events also features daily lectures on producing and selling packaged consumer goods for aspiring and current online food retailers and manufacturers. But not every discussion is aimed at specific sectors—the broader lecture topics include brand design, mobile app development, sustainable business practices, and job advice for students or recent graduates. All discussions are led by experts and working tech professionals, and conclude with Q&As as well as a chance to connect with other attendees.
Social Activities
Beyond its learning opportunities, Startup Week also has some fun networking events and recreational group activities. Whether you’re a longtime Boulder resident or a recent transplant, you’ll find ways to relax and unwind during the week.
On Thursday May 14th, from 10-11am, you can attend a vinyasa yoga class with popular local instructor Rob Loud. You can also go hiking with other tech professionals, on Friday morning from 9-10:30am, at Chautauqua Park.
In addition to fitness events, you’ll also get a chance to mingle with your fellow techies at a few different parties. One of the dining get-togethers is at T/ACO in Downtown Boulder on Wednesday the 13th from 2-4pm. Another fun event is the closing night party on Friday from 6 – 11 at the Boulder Theater, which will feature a surprise live show.
The Startup Crawl
One of the more exciting networking events gives Boulder’s tech businesses the opportunity to meet with potential investors and future collaborators. Startup Crawl encourages local companies to open up their doors and engage with the community. On Tuesday May 12th, from 5-7pm, your office can host a workplace happy hour event that’s open to the public. You can invite current or prospective investors, customers, and jobseekers to join your employees for a casual networking party, where people can learn more about your work.
Mentor Office Hours
While getting more people interested in your company is one wonderful great aspect of Startup Week, another is being able to offer guidance to up-and-comers. If you’re a successful tech entrepreneur who has great advice to share, consider signing up for the Mentor Office Hours. During your 2-hour mentoring time slot, you’ll meet with a small group of startup founders and share your insight and knowledge about running a prosperous business. It’s a great chance to give back to the tech community and influence a new generation of innovators.
Stay Connected
As Boulder’s startup scene continues to grow, it’s important to create more ways for entrepreneurs and innovators to connect with and inspire each other. If you want to get more involved with the tech community, check out Startup Week’s website or Facebook page for more information. The conference is still adding to and updating its lineup of events, as well as looking for more participants and volunteers, so you’ll need to stay connected for all the latest news.