City to Host First-Ever ‘Startup Weekend Binghamton

NEWS RELEASE

Office of the Mayor

November 6, 2012

City to Host First-Ever ‘Startup Weekend Binghamton’ (NY)

Entrepreneurs and their supporters encouraged to participate; limited scholarships available

BINGHAMTON, NY—Mayor Matt Ryan today announced that the City will host the first-ever "Startup Weekend Binghamton” this weekend, November 9^th—11^th, at the Binghamton Riverwalk Hotel and Conference Center. Participants will pitch business startup ideas and form teams to compete for awards and cash prizes. The Binghamton Local Development Corporation (BLDC) will be offering limited scholarships to aspiring local entrepreneurs to participate in the event, which is taking place in conjunction with National Entrepreneurship Month.

"Binghamton is committed to growing our own businesses, and supporting entrepreneurship is critical to meeting that goal,” said Mayor Matt Ryan. "This event will help to cultivate innovative ideas for business development, create new jobs and promote practices that will strengthen our local economy. Hosting Startup Weekend Binghamton also is a great way to commemorate National Entrepreneurship Month.”

Registration, Scholarships and Other Details

Registration is $99 for everyone except students, for whom the rate is $65. Registration is available online at binghamton.startupweekend.org. Anyone interested in receiving a scholarship to Startup Weekend Binghamton should send their resume and a brief paragraph describing why they want to participate in the event to binghamton@startupweekend.org. Whether paid or by scholarship, registration includes meals Friday night, Saturday and Sunday.

Friday night’s activities will include dinner, an open mic for participants to pitch their business ideas, a vote for the top 15 ideas and the formation of teams to transform each of the winning ideas into a marketable business model. On Saturday and Sunday, the teams will develop these ideas with the help of seasoned entrepreneurs and then present them to a panel of judges. The event will conclude with the judges awarding prizes to the best business model, including $3,500 in cash prizes and more than $6,000 in services such as advertising, accounting and legal fees.

"We’re always looking for ways to expand the Southern Tier’s network of entrepreneurs and their supporters, and Startup Weekend Binghamton is an excellent opportunity that we’re ready to seize,” said BLDC Executive Director Merry Harris. "We’re excited for what this event will bring, and we encourage those interested to register and attend.”

Sponsors

The City of Binghamton thanks the many participating businesses and sponsors, including Visions Federal Credit Union, the Binghamton Riverwalk Hotel & Conference Center, Binghamton University, Broome Community College, Newman Development Group, LLC, SUNY Research Foundation, NBT Bank, Broome County and the Broome County IDA, Upstate Venture Association of New York, Inc., Alliance for Manufacturing & Technology, Diamond Visionics, Davison Fox & Company, Press and Sun-Bulletin Media, RS Webworks, Hinman, Howard & Kattell, LLP, Price Chopper, Weis Markets, National Pipe & Plastic, Inc., Mirabito Energy Products, Binghamton Hots, Lupo’s Spieides, 3i Graphics & Design, Chobani Greek Yogurt, Greater Binghamton Chamber of Commerce, Southern Tier Opportunity Coalition and Centerstate Corporation for Economic Opportunity.

Contacts:

Andrew Block, Office of the Mayor

(607) 772-7001, awblock@cityofbinghamton.com