How Global Startup Weekend 2016 Can Plug You Into Your Community

Any innovators out there — new or experienced — can tell you that connections are key. If you don't have an opportunity to proof your ability, you won't attract the traction you need to get a project, startup, or even a job offer. Lucky you: You're reading about one of the better ways to connect on a local level with your tech and startup community: Global Startup Weekend.

Check out one of the Startup Weekends that make up the Global Startup Weekend and try your hand at tackling a weekend-long learning event. This year, we'll see more than 15,000 entrepreneurs meeting up for over 200 events across the weekends of November 11-13 and 18-20. Here's how it works and how you can benefit.

The 2016 Initiative

For the past five years, teams and individuals from over 65 countries have gathered for GSW events, previously under the name “Global Startup Battles.” The hundreds of events hosted around the world will offer attendees information and learning courses, in a shift from previous years, the event FAQ explains:

“The major change between GSB and GSW is that we're removing the competition side of these two weekends, making sure that we continue providing the value for Community Leaders and participants through high quality resources and content, which will be exclusive during these two weeks.”

John Beadle, Director of Startup Weekend at Techstars, had this to say in a recent blog post about the unique elements of 2016's events:

“November is a busy time for the Startup Weekend community around the world! For the past 5 years we’ve seen startup teams from over 65 countries battle it out for top spots and their communities come together to support them in Global Startup Battle. This year, we’re welcoming a different type of celebration – Global Startup Weekend!

As our community around the world continues to grow and evolve, we’ve switched up our annual initiative to provide even more value to organizers, attendees, and communities.”

Attendees at each weekend workshop will receive select perks.

Search for a Startup Weekend Near You

Check out the site for a personalized list of the nearest events around you. You can sign up for free! Provided the tickets in the track you want haven't yet sold out, that is.

Those looking for more on what to expect can drop by the site's attendee resource page, which showcases a variety of useful materials that explain what to expect and how to benefit the most from everything offered at each Startup Weekend. There's nothing stopping you from preparing to dive into your local community.

This article is brought to you in partnership with .CO. Learn more about the Global Startup Weekend here.

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Written by:
Adam is a writer at Tech.co and has worked as a tech writer, blogger and copy editor for more than a decade. He was a Forbes Contributor on the publishing industry, for which he was named a Digital Book World 2018 award finalist. His work has appeared in publications including Popular Mechanics and IDG Connect, and his art history book on 1970s sci-fi, 'Worlds Beyond Time,' is out from Abrams Books in July 2023. In the meantime, he's hunting down the latest news on VPNs, POS systems, and the future of tech.
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