2025 Techstars_ Startup Weekend Beaufort

Learn how to think, work, and build like a startup in 3 thrilling days! You don't need any experience in tech or the startup world. Come with a collaborative spirit, be prepared to have fun, and soak in all the knowledge about creating your own startup business.

Techstars Startup Weekend is an exciting and immersive foray into the world of startups. Over an action-packed three, days, you’ll meet the best mentors, investors, co-founders, and sponsors to show you how to get more done faster -- and maybe even start that business. In addition, participants will be eligible to compete for prizes up to $10,000 in value!

Ticket Tracks

1. 'Join a Team' Ticket - This all-inclusive ticket is exclusively for participants who will join a team to compete for prizes in the pitch contest over the 3-day weekend. Participants don't need prior pitching experience and will be taught everything they need to know about forming a startup. This ticket includes Friday night events (including dinner), Saturday workshops & 1-on-1 mentoring (including breakfast, lunch & dinner), and Sunday workshops, 1-on-1 mentoring, final pitches, and judging (including breakfast, lunch & a Finale Night catered reception).
   
2. 'Watch the Show' Ticket - This ticket is for those who want to see what Techstars Startup Weekend is all about, but aren't participating as a startup team member or competing for prizes. Audience members are invited to attend Sunday’s Finale Night with a catered reception, pitches, judging, and awards.

Easily compare both ticket tracks below using this table:

Ticket Track Perks	Join a Team	Watch the Show
Join a Startup Team	✔	✘
Participate in Pitches	✔	✘
Observe Startup Pitches	✔	✔
Access to Mentors	✔	✘
Win Prizes	✔	✘
Networking Opportunities	✔	✔
Attend Finale Night Catered Reception	✔	✔

Frequently Asked Questions

General

• What is the minimum age to participate? Participants must be at least 18 years old. Audience members of all ages can attend.

Participant Preparation

• What happens during the weekend? On the first evening, our event facilitator will break the ice and get to know your fellow attendees. Anyone who would like to pitch a startup idea is given 60 seconds to give it a go. Afterward, participants wishing to get the full startup experience vote on their favorite ideas and join their teams. Throughout the weekend, participants will continue to work within their teams as they attend workshops on business plan building, customer validation, marketing, and pitching. At the end of the weekend, the teams will present a pitch deck (PPT) to a panel of judges for a chance to win up to $10,000 in prizes.
• What prizes are available? The first-place winners of the 2025 Techstars Startup Weekend will receive a prize package valued at $10,000, including the development of their Minimum Viable Product (MVP) sponsored by LowCountry Games.
• What should I prepare for? Participants should prepare for the event by researching the event schedule (coming soon), understanding the types of ideas that can be pitched, and practicing their pitch.
• Do I need a team? Everyone who attends the event as a participant is expected to come to the event without a team and then join and participate with a team at the event. This is important to preserve the Techstars Startup Weekend educational experience.The ideal team consists of members from diverse backgrounds and experiences who collaborate to build a great minimum viable product (MVP) using the Lean Canvas framework. The more people you have on your team to help you do market research and business model development, the quicker you’ll develop an MVP to pitch on Sunday. 
• Can I pitch my existing business? No. Techstars Startup Weekend is designed to be the most effective platform for growing new businesses from the ground up over the course of a weekend. A key facet of the weekend, and a central value for participants, is the spirit of complete collaboration, buy-in, and ownership. We’ve found that having existing businesses in the mix undermines this spirit, in addition to creating an unequal playing field alongside those ideas that are truly conceived at the grass-roots level. The local organizers have the right to disqualify any existing ideas pitched during the event at any time.
• What resources are available? In addition to the advice and assistance participants will receive from the event's speakers and mentors, participants can also utilize Techstars’s Entrepreneur’s Toolkit to learn the fundamentals of entrepreneurship.
• What types of presentations can I give? Common presentations include wireframes, mobile apps, and slide decks.
• What should I accomplish by the end of the weekend? Participants should plan their execution around what they'll be judged for on Sunday, such as customer validation, execution and design, and business model.
• Do I have to pitch an idea to attend? No, but we highly encourage you to. You can pitch an idea you've been thinking about for years or something you think of at the last minute during the event. Please don’t pitch an idea you’ve already been developing or working on outside of Startup Weekend. The point of the event is to learn how to go from ideation to product.
• What if I don't have an idea? If you don't have an idea, don't worry! The event is designed to accommodate participants at various stages. You can join a team working on an idea that interests you, contribute your skills and expertise, and collaborate with others to bring the concept to life. This experience allows you to learn.
• What should I bring for the weekend? 
  • Laptop/Portable Computer is helpful but NOT manditory
  • Power cord for Laptop
  • Business cards (or a business card app)
  • Your phone - feel free to take pictures or video of the event
  • Optional: A second monitor, keyboard, etc…. Whatever helps you to be most productive.
  • Lots of energy!
    
• Can I invite friends or family to come watch my final pitch? Yes! All friends and family are welcome to attend final pitches. We'll provide 1 free audience ticket for every particpant to invite a guest. Any additional audience tickets will need to be purchased to attend. Dinner is included with the price.

Agenda

• What is the latest I can show up on Friday? We recommend that you arrive on Friday night before the final pitches start so you can pitch or listen to other pitches to choose the team you'd like to work on through the weekend.
• I can't make it on Friday. Can I attend on Saturday? For Participants: Teams are formed on Friday night, so you'll miss an important part of the weekend. Let us know if you're planning on arriving on Saturday morning, and we’ll do our best to accommodate you but do consider passing on your ticket to someone who can attend the entire weekend.

Special Requests

• I have food allergies. Can I bring food? You can bring your own, labeled food. Let us know if you will and if you need a refrigerator to store your food in.
• I use a wheelchair. Is the venue wheelchair accessible? Our venue is wheelchair accessible. You'll find accessible parking, entry, restrooms, and pathways. Please contact us at info@beaufortdigital.com if you have additional questions or require assistance during the event.

Refund Policy

• As this is a fundraising event, all ticket sales are final, and we are unable to offer refunds. Your contribution helps ensure we can provide an impactful experience for all participants while supporting the growth of local startups.  We appreciate your understanding and support in making this event a success. If you have any questions, feel free to reach out to us at info@beaufortdigital.com.
• If you are unable to attend, you may transfer your ticket to another participant. Please notify us at info@beaufortdigital.com with the new attendee’s information at least 7 days before the event.