That was fantastic. Out of this world. I will make a more formal summary post in the morning, but for the moment let me sum up: 34 pitches morphed into 11 companies. Eleven! Some are more fully formed than others (for example, one is still doing research, another is signing S-corp papers this week, etc.), but they all had a great time.
When McKinley originally donated that huge space to us, I was a bit worried that we’d feel a little lost in a cavernous 28 thousand square feet. But I tell you, the energy and drive and excitement from this group of people was enough to fill twice that. I am so grateful to have been a part of such an amazing gathering of talent and dedication. Thank you all.
5 responses so far ↓
1 Derek Mehraban // Jun 22, 2008 at 10:58 pm
This weekend was more than I ever expected. Everyone delivered and the companies created are fabulous. I think Ann Arbor and Michigan people are smart as all get out. Can’t wait to see what happens now…
2 John Minni // Jun 22, 2008 at 11:19 pm
I have to echo Derek’s comments. Out of this world! I came in with high expectations and I was still surprised!
3 Bill Tozier // Jun 23, 2008 at 6:49 am
Everybody did a great job, and what we ought to be pointing out over and over is that they discovered the job they would be doing on their own. Nobody told them where to go or what to do.
Even if they don’t have shared goals or experiences or visions, people can organize and get work done if they’re allowed to talk to one another. If you let them. If you sit them down in rows and say things at them, odds are they won’t ever move beyond that sitting.
Election caucuses, Open Space events, BarCamp, ArbCamp, coworking and Startup Weekend are all the same thing, in a way: a temporary place for people to discover one another’s usefulness.
4 John Minni // Jun 23, 2008 at 10:16 pm
Show the love A2 people
Digg then vote for Startup Weekend Detroit!
http://tinyurl.com/5zg6xv
5 David Brennan // Jun 24, 2008 at 8:46 am
I just wanted to add my voice to the chorus of praise for the work that was done over the weekend (including by all the organizers). The business concepts themselves were definitely impressive (Vagabondoo and Exploded View were my favorites), but I think that I was even more surprised and impressed by the actual volume of real, practical work that was done - early-stage websites, functioning test systems, etc.
Best of luck to everybody (obviously), and if there’s a reunion, I’ll see you there. (Maybe we’ll see each other at a photo shoot for ‘Business Week’ or something, too, eh?)
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