Competition provides pathways for entrepreneurs

Entrepreneurs, developers, designers, marketers, inventors and startup enthusiasts will have the opportunity to share ideas, form teams, build prototypes and launch a business, all within the span of a single weekend, at Cleveland State University’s fifth annual Startup Vikes competition.

The event runs Friday, February 23rd through Sunday, February 25th in CSU’s Student Center Ballroom, 2121 Euclid Avenue, Cleveland.

Using Lean Startup methodologies, Startup Vikes begins with pitches, voting for the top ideas and team formation. A series of workshops then guides participants through building a business including business modeling, customer development, branding, revenue/financial models, legal pointers and pitching to investors. To date, 18 companies have been formed as a direct result of the event.

A cash infusion and prize packages are awarded to the top three businesses formed from the weekend.

“Startup Vikes provides a pathway for entrepreneurship,” says Colette Hart, senior director of the Centers for Outreach and Engagement in CSU’s Monte Ahuja College of Business. “It demonstrates CSU’s commitment to providing innovative programming that engages beyond the classroom and impacts the greater community.”

Tickets are $65 for CSU students and $150 for community members. The cost includes all workshops, meals from Friday afternoon through Sunday night, snacks, beverages, resources, access to experts, networking with leaders in the Cleveland startup community and more. Register at www.startupvikes.com.

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