Techstars Startup Weekend University of Kansas
About Event
Techstars Startup Weekend University of Kansas is a three-day event designed to help participants transform ideas into real startup ventures and step directly into the startup world - no prior experience required. Over the course of the weekend, participants will move through an accelerated startup-building process and gain direct exposure to the realities of entrepreneurship while building meaningful relationships with collaborators, mentors, and future founders.
This first edition of the Techstars Startup Weekend University of Kansas is sector-agnostic and will bring together participants from across the Jayhawk and broader Kansas community - including students, alumni, faculty, staff, developers, designers, researchers, creatives, marketers, and aspiring founders - to collaborate on ideas spanning industries such as AI, HealthTech, ClimateTech, FinTech, EdTech, consumer products, social impact, and other emerging technologies.
Whether participants arrive with a startup idea, a side project, or simply curiosity about entrepreneurship, the Startup Weekend will offer an accessible and collaborative environment to explore, experiment, and connect with the next generation of innovators.
If you have additional questions, visit the Startup Weekend FAQs page. Please register before Nov 4th.
Agenda:
Friday, Nov 13, 2026
5:00 PM Registration, Dinner & Networking
6:00 PM Welcome & Remarks
6:30 PM Ice-breaker
7.00 PM Pitches
8.30 PM Voting
9:00 PM Team Formation & Initial Work
9:30 PM Event Wrap-up Announcements
Saturday, Nov 14, 2026
8:30 AM Breakfast & Registration
9:00 AM Morning announcements
9:30 AM Masterclass 1: Startup Fundamentals 101
10:30 AM Work Continues
11:30 AM Workshop 1: Licensing & Patenting Ideas
12:00 PM Lunch
1:00 PM Workshop 2: Building an MVP
1:30 PM Work continues
2:30 PM Mentor 1-1 Sessions
5:00 PM Dinner
6:00 PM Work Continues
7:00 PM Mentor Office Hour
8:00 PM Work Continues
9:00 PM Event Wrap-up Announcements
Sunday, Nov 15, 2026
8:30 AM Breakfast & Registration
9:00 AM Morning announcements
9:30 AM Masterclass 2: Pitching 101
10:00 AM Work Continues
11:00 AM Mentor Office Hour
12:00 PM Lunch
1:00 PM Work Continues
1:00 PM Tech Check, Pitch Practice & Check-ins
3:30 PM Final Work Continues
4:30 PM Pitch Presentation Registration Begins
5:00 PM Evening presentation starts
5:30 PM Final pitches start
7:00 PM Judges deliberate
7:00 PM Dinner
8:00 PM Announcing Winning Teams
8:15 PM Post-event networking and celebrations
9:00 PM Event Wrap-up Announcement
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. The event is intended to be a collaborative forum for sharing, learning, building, and having fun.
As such, by registering and participating in the event, you agree to be inclusive of any and all people and their ideas. You agree to act professionally and treat everyone with respect.
Please note that you may be photographed or videotaped during this event. By registering, you consent to being filmed and grant to USC and Techstars the right to use your image, likeness and voice in audio, visual and audiovisual productions created by USC and/or Techstars in any media worldwide. Your attendance is strictly voluntary, and no financial compensation will be provided.
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