Rockhurst Hosts Kansas City Startup Weekend

The Rockhurst University campus is abuzz this weekend as the Helzberg School of Management hosts Kansas City Startup Weekend – a weekend long workshop from April 12-14, 2013, that brings entrepreneurs from across the globe together to pitch ideas, form teams and start companies.

Nonprofit organization Startup Weekend, headquartered in Seattle, Wash., organized the event as well as nearly 200 similar events throughout the world from Mongolia to South Africa to London to Brazil.

"Startup Weekend brings creative, innovative and dedicated entrepreneurs to campus, and that's the mindset we're building with our business students and programs,” said Cheryl McConnell, interim dean of the University’s Helzberg School of Management. “What a great opportunity to see the entrepreneurs in action and merge the two cultures."

Entrepreneurs attend these events to learn the basics of founding startups and launching successful ventures.

"At my day job all we do is sit around and talk about stuff," said Erik Wullschleger, event attendee. "I never knew we could get so much done so quickly."

There are opportunities to pitch startup ideas and receive feedback from peers. Teams form around the top ideas pitched, and then each works to create a business model. The weekend concludes with presentations to local entrepreneurs for critical feedback.

To learn more about the event, visit kansascity.startupweekend.org.