In just 54 hours, Startup Weekend participants will experience the highs, lows, fun and pressure that make up life at a startup. Last year, Cherrypik team members worked to build a viable prototype for their startup: a website that provides lead-generation services and protection in the moving industry. PHOTO BY MAUI ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT BOARD.

KIHEI – Maui Economic Development Board (MEDB) announced that online registration is now available for its fourth annual Startup Weekend Maui. Set for May 19-21, this empowering event will provide active entrepreneurs with an opportunity to learn how to launch a company in 54 hours.

The event will be held at the Maui Research and Technology Park in Kihei, starting at MEDB’s Malcolm Center at 1305 N. Holopono St., Suite 5.

In just one weekend, participants will experience the highs, lows, fun and pressure that make up life at a startup. Surrounded by smart, passionate people, and with the best tools and approaches at their disposal, they’ll take giant leaps in learning skills to create a business, work on a startup team and connect with the right people and resources. Ultimately, it will be an unforgettable weekend that will put everyone on the pathway to success.

All Startup Weekend events follow the same basic model. On Friday, anyone is welcome to pitch their startup idea and receive feedback from peers. Teams organically form around the top ideas (as determined by popular vote); and then it’s a 54-hour sprint of business model creation, programming, designing and market validation.

The weekend culminates on Sunday with presentations in front of experienced entrepreneurs and investors who offer valuable feedback.

Those interested in warming up for this year’s Startup Weekend Maui are encouraged to attend a free Pitch Bootcamp workshop on Tuesday, May 16. David Fry, leader of the 2015 Startup Weekend, and Frank De Rego Jr., director of business development projects at MEDB, will facilitate this interactive learning experience. Participants will receive helpful tips on crafting a strong 60-second pitch for their startup idea and have an opportunity to hone their presentation skills through practice. Participation in this Pitch Bootcamp will help provide a framework and additional tools for the main event, Startup Weekend Maui, on May 19-21.

“Startup Weekend Maui will provide a dynamic environment where participants can connect with people that have diverse talents; discover where they are at on the journey of being an entrepreneur; learn what it really takes to start a company; and start with a hands-on experience of business creation,” observed De Rego.

Startup Weekend Maui is part of a global grassroots movement of motivated entrepreneurs with various skill sets who are determined to learn the basics of founding startups and launching successful ventures. Over its ten-year history, the Startup Weekend movement has generated over 2,900 events in 150 countries around the world.

For more information, and to register, visit http://bit.ly/SUWMaui2017. For additional questions, e-mail info@hightechmaui.com or call (808) 875-2300.

Startup Weekend Maui is presented by the Maui Economic Development Board. Event sponsors include the County of Maui Mayor’s Office of Economic Development, High Technology Development Corporation, Pacific Media Group, Hawaii Strategic Development Corporation, HI-Growth Initiative and Startup Capital Ventures.