Startup Weekend Orlando - Spring 2026

Are you willing to devote an entire weekend to gain startup/innovation skills? 

Then THIS is the event for you! Learn how to think, work, and build like a startup over 54 thrilling hours. Techstars Startup Weekend is an exciting and immersive foray into the world of startups. If you have ever wanted to be start an innovative business, then your time is NOW. Over an action-packed three days, you’ll meet the very best mentors, investors, co-founders, and sponsors to show you how to get more done faster -- and, maybe even start that business. Past attendees have won global competitions, raised millions of dollars, and created jobs right here in Orlando. So stop talking and start doing surrounded by an incredibly smart and motivated group of people.

Join the ranks of 500,000 alumni worldwide that have taken their careers and ambitions to the next level.

Scroll down to learn more and watch videos below, or click Get Tickets to save your seat now!

JUDGES

ORGANIZING TEAM

MENTORS

Bob Reed - Program Director @ StarterStudio

Cameron Ford - Founding Director @ UCF Center for Entrepreneurial Leadership

Renuka Sastri - Sr. Professional @ Orange County Government

Jan Edwards - CEO @ Paving the Way Foundation

Angel Gerdzhikov - Founding Attorney @ Actional Counsel

Erik Deckers - President @ Pro Blog Service

Gene Culver - CEO @ Songwriters and Producers

James T. Nathan - Owner @ Chronos Photonics

Jeffery George - Founder & Principal @ Tao Financial

Ken Hall - Partner @ DeepWork Capital

Mike Rhom - Senior Account Manager @ Data Kind

Nathan Mutter - Manging Partner & Co-Founder @ Landfall IP

Patrick Odoyo - CEO @ Young InnoPreneurs

Safia Porter - Executive Director @ BuildwithBOT

Tom Daly - Fractional Chief Sales Officer @ Sales Xceleration

Rupert Meghnot - Founder @ Orlandopreneur

SPONSORS

Want a sneak peek into #StartupLife? Check out our three episodes on 2022's Startup Weekend! 

NOTE: This event is not a networking event, or a conference or even a training boot camp. It is ALL of those things and much, much more. Why? Because you will be working in a real team with a real idea for REAL CUSTOMERS. This is a competitive environment, and you will be pushed to deliver results in a supportive yet ambitious format that routinely delivers actual revenue within a single weekend. No scams, no shortcuts - just hard work and results. So if you are ready to discover how much YOU can achieve in one weekend - read on, and purchase tickets now.

EVENT SCHEDULE

FRIDAY, April 10th

6:30 PM: Venue opens, check-in.

6:45 PM: Dinner and networking — meet someone new!

7:00 PM: Welcome, orientation, and speakers

7:45 PM: Energizer/Team builder activity

8:00 PM: Pitch Fire! Participants all give a 60-second pitch on a brand-new, innovative idea.

9:15 PM: Voting. Attendees vote for the top pitches from the evening.

10:00 PM: Team formation and discussion.

Take an inventory of skills. Be clear about resources and skills needed for the weekend. You may stay and work until 10:30pm.

Make sure you get some good sleep. Saturday starts early and it’s a long day!

Saturday, April 11th

8:30 AM: Doors open. Arrive on time and get some breakfast/coffee. We have so much to do!

9:00 AM: Mandatory check-in for teams.

9:15 AM: Customer Discovery/validation overview/training

10:00 AM: Break off and begin working in teams.

10:30 AM: Mentor Session#1

12:00 PM: Lunch is served

12:15 PM: Check-ins, team status, calls for help. Value Prop and Business Model training.

1:00 PM: Mentor Sessions#2 + Continue working in teams + head out for customer discovery and validation.

6:00 PM: Dinner is served

6:15 PM: Check-ins, team status, calls for help. Pitch Deck training

7:00 PM: Continue working in teams

9:30 PM: Full-group end of day reflection

10:00 PM: Venue closes

Sunday, April 12th

8:30 AM: Doors open. Arrive on time and get some breakfast and coffee

9:00 AM: Mandatory team check-in

9:15 AM: Sunday Agenda, and instructions

10:00AM: Mentor sessions #3 + Continue working in teams

12:00 PM: Lunch is served

12:15 PM: Team check-in and instructions

1:00 PM: Mentor session #4 + Pitch practice + Tech checks

3:00 PM: Continue working in teams

4:30 PM: Introductions to final pitches

4:45 PM: FINAL Presentations!. Present, watch and celebrate all your hard work throughout the weekend!

7:00 PM: Dinner is served + Judges deliberations

7:30 PM: Final Awards!

8:00 PM: Big group photo, head out to the after-party!

Terms of Participation Agreement: It is our job to provide you with an incredible networking and learning experience. Our intention is that you meet some amazing people that you might start a company with, learn from mentors and learn from your peers. The event is intended to be a collaborative forum for sharing, learning, building, and having fun. As such, by registering as a participant, you acknowledge that any ideas shared by you or anyone else over the course of the event are contributions to the overall experience and community. If you’re very concerned, you can limit your pitch to the rough outline of the idea without giving away key information.

As a member of your startup community, you agree to be inclusive of any and all people and their ideas. You agree to act professionally, treat everyone with respect, and treat the event facilities with proper care. You agree that you are responsible in the event of any accidents or damages that you cause. You also agree to not hold Techstars Startup Weekend, your local volunteer team, or any of the event supporters liable for any loss, damage, injury, or any other unforeseeable incident.

By participating in the event, you grant Techstars/Orlando Innovation League permission to capture photos/videos of the event and use them for marketing purposes, so we can continue to offer amazing events around the world.

By purchasing a ticket to a Techstars Startup Weekend event, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. If you have questions please reach out to privacy@techstars.com.

If you require a reimbursement, contact the event organizer.