Lansing’s first ever Maker Week will wrap up on Friday, October 10th but for some, the fun will be beginning. Maker Week was actually born as simply Startup Weekend, but so many organizations brought so much to the table that they extended what was meant to be a weekend to a week long event.
When Maker Week ends, Startup Weekend begins. Teams will be instructed to come up with a brand new idea, they will pitch that idea, and the chosen teams will have 54 hours to take a project from the idea phase to a product.
At the end of the weekend, one winner will be picked and that team will be given the resources, sponsorships and guidance needed to take their product to market. “By the end of this,” says Sarah Parkinson of LEAP (one of the sponsors), “we expect to see actual prototypes and products.” Judging by the success of past participants in previous events like this, including one that turned into an international service, Sara says, “It’s not outrageous to think these ideas will turn into full-fledged companies.”
Through a partnership with LCC, teams will have access to the tools the trade students get to use, giving them the chance to manufacture their products.
Source: Sara Parkinson, LEAP
Author: Allison Monroe, Innovation New Editor
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