TechStars Startup Weekend - Dayton 2026

TechStars Startup Weekend is an exciting and immersive foray into the world of startups. 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.

Beginning on Friday, participants will pitch ideas for potential startups. Teams will form around the concepts and compete to prototype their product, business, and land customers. The event culminates in a "shark-tank" style pitch to experts and investors.

Tickets include:

• 6 meals throughout the weekend (plus ice cream!)
• SWAG including a sweet Startup Weekend t-shirt
• Mentorship throughout the weekend from Dayton's business leaders
• Access to the Hub for the weekend
• and so much more!

The goal of Techstars Startup Weekend is to create an environment where passionate, driven, and like-minded people can come together to get things done — to learn, network, bridge the gap between trades, expose potential, and see actual results.

The event flows as follows:

• 5:30-6:30 PM Registration–Arrive at the venue and get checked in
• 6-6:45 PM Dinner & Networking- Eat food, share ideas, practice pitches, get to know the other participants
• 6:45-7:45 PM Welcome & Speakers-Review agenda for the weekend and introduce speakers, coaches, and community leaders
• 7:45-8:30 PM Pitches- Optionally line up to pitch your idea
• 8:30-9 PM Voting-Attendees vote for the top pitches
• 9-9:30 PM Form Teams- Teams start forming and discussing ideas
• 9:30-11 PM Begin Work- Start to formalize teams and take an inventory of skills. Be honest, and direct about what resources and skills are needed for the weekend. You may stay and work as late as the venue will allow

• 9-9:30 AM Breakfast
• 9:30-10 AM Customer Validation Workshop – Send at least one member of your team to learn the best ways to get out and talk to customers
• 10 AM – 2 PM Customer Validation at 2nd St. Market
• 12-1 PM Lunch & Check In
• 1-7 PM Back to Work
• 7-7:30 PM Dinner
• 8:30-9 PM Check-In

• 9-9:30 AM-Breakfast
• 10-10:30 AM Team Check In-Final opportunity to ask questions
• 11 AM-12 PM Pitch Rehearsal & Tech Check-Final hours of work time should be focused on perfecting your presentation, tech-check for final presentations also takes place
• 12-1 PM Lunch
• 2:30-4 PM Final Presentation-Present, watch and celebrate all your hard work throughout the weekend!
• 4-4:30 PM Judging & Awards
• 5 PM After party at TBD local brewery

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 as well as learning 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 Launch Dayton partners permission to capture photos/videos of the event.

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