Startup Hackathon

Have an idea that solves a problem? Thinking about launching your own startup/company? 

Get ready for Women Who Code DC's first Startup Hackathon. Learn how to market test your idea while working on a fun coding project with a team of developers. If you've ever wondered what it takes to succeed in a startup, this is the place to learn! 

Startup Hackathon bridges the development focus of a hackathon and the business processes of building a successful startup. Learn the basics of building a successful startup while working on an interesting coding project.

In two days, participants will work together in teams to develop an early stage prototype, culminating in a presentation to your peers.

Prior to the event, participants can optionally choose to participate in workshops that review the basics of pitching, developing a business plan and understanding your customers, as well as what makes an Minimum Viable Product (MVP) an MVP.

This is a great opportunity to learn Startup Basics and meet co-founders without the stress of pitching to a panel of judges.

This Women Who Code DC event is intended to be exclusively open for women; we are trans* friendly. 

Signups will be limited to the first 50 and done through Eventbrite, not Meetup.com. Due to the level of commitment needed from participants, a $20 deposit will be required to secure your spot. The deposit will be refunded as long as you show up!

Schedule (subject to change)

Saturday

8:00am - Registration, Breakfast, Networking, and Overview of Projects

9-9:30am - Introduction, Overview of Schedule

9:30 - 10am - 60 Second Pitches (Signup Beforehand Required - SIGNUP HERE). Review Pitching Basics HERE.

10-11am - Team Formations (min. of 3, max of 5 people per team), Icebreakers within the Teams, Register Team

11am-12:30pm - Market Research

12:30pm - Lunch

1pm - 4pm - Speaker Sessions 

     1pm-1:30pm - Léonie Werrakoon (Perfection Paralysis)

     1:40-2:10pm - Gira Wieczorek (Pitching to Investors)

     2:15-2:45pm - Laura Fredericks ( Describli - Product Inspiration and Development) 

     2:50-3:20pm - Rachel Koretsky ( Upace - Product Inspiration and Development)

     3:25 - 3:55pm - Erin Horne McKinney (KissIntel - Idea to Development)

6pm - Dinner (not provided; on your own or with your team)

10pm - Close

Sunday

8am - Doors Open

9am - Breakfast, Team Time

12pm - Lunch

3pm - Presentations

4:30-5pm - Voting, Feedback Distributed

5pm - Wrap Up (Consider staying for WWCDC's Anniversary Celebration afterwards!)

Sign up for our Anniversary Celebration!

Please slack questions to @rachelcheuk via WWCDC's Slack Channel. 

Speakers

Rachel Koretsky

Rachel is the Founder & CEO of upace, a mobile platform for recreation facilities. Her entrepreneurship journey started at twelve years old when she started her first venture "It Could Be Me" to end the genocide in Darfur, Sudan. She worked directly fundraising with leading non-profits and gaining coverage on main networks such as ABC’s Good Morning America. In 2012, Rachel founded the "Teen Advisory Council" for Ronald McDonald Houses which was acquired by a Ronald McDonald House in 2014. Immediately after graduating from American University, with a degree in Business Administration-Entrepreneurship and Business for Social Impact, Minor in Communications and Advanced Leadership Studies, Rachel founded upace.

Gira Wieczorek

Gira is a founder at Aleberry, a design & strategy firm focused on helping startups navigate the fundraising process with deck strategy & design. She has helped clients raise over $150M in funding. Aleberry works alongside startups, advisors, venture capitalists, and accelerators for demo days, pitch sessions, and investor meetings.

Laura Fredericks

Laura Fredericks is the Founder and CEO of Describli, a data-driven marketing assistant for authors and publishers. She is passionate about using lessons from startups and data/analytics to help independent authors succeed. She is a second time entrepreneur with over 9 years of experience in sales and marketing. Laura is a member of 1776 in DC and an alumni of MassChallenge and the Startup Leadership Program. She is the Program Leader for the DC chapter of the Startup Leadership Program, leading a cohort of 20 entrepreneurs through a 6-month educational incubator program.

Léonie Weerakoon

Léonie’s passion and journey brought her to develop BEAM Effect, a higher quality education and business mentorship program that promotes an equal opportunity to passion discovery by connecting people with mentors across the globe, virtually. As CEO Léonie is an advocate of creating real economic change in underserved communities by leveraging technology, strategic partnerships, and rapid-problem solving. Léonie is honored to speak at the Startup Hackathon about ‘Perfection Paralysis’ where she will discuss her experiences being a perfectionist and the setbacks that came with it.

Erin Horne McKinney

Passionate about emerging technology, entrepreneurship, and social justice, Erin Horne McKinney is the co-founder of Black Female Founders (#BFF) and the KissIntel app. She previously served as Senior Advisor on Innovation and Entrepreneurship to D.C.’s Deputy Mayor for Greater Economic Opportunity (DMGEO). Erin is a serial entrepreneur and intrapreneur with nearly two decades of tech policy, marketing communications, economic and business development experience. Erin is a mentor at 1776, WeWork, and AccelerateDC. She also serves on the Byte Back board, the Halcyon Incubator advisory board, and the Fish & Richardson's FISHstep program review committee. Erin is a doctoral student in the communications technology policy program at Howard University, where she also completed her BA and MA.

FAQ's

Do I need an idea to participate?

No, you don't need an idea to participate. You can join a team with an idea, or there will be some sample ideas you can use for the purpose of the exercises.

I currently own a startup/company right now. Can I still participate?

You may come to work on your project, but be honest with prospective teammates if you plan to work on your project. Let them know this is the case, and where you are in your process. Be fair. If you are unable to find a team for your existing company, be open to joining another team to meet others and work through a different idea! You never know what may happen!

What will I win?

Bragging rights. We strive to create a fun learning environment where you can safely learn from others and receive honest feedback from participants and mentors. As such, we will not be awarding prizes.

Refund Policy

Refund requests must be received by Saturday morning, May 20.