An (intense) 54-hour hackathon where you get the space to bring your idea to life. The idea doesn’t have to be technical. If you don’t have an idea, that’s okay, you can be part of a team with an idea you decide to support. You can help as a programmer, UX designer, marketer, business specialist, idea maker, specialist in law, domain expert or expert in a particular branch of industry. There is a lot of work when you are trying to turn a vision into reality, so all the experience and enthusiasm of each team member is useful. Come, form your team and pitch a business idea or join other startup enthusiasts.
Startup Weekend Žilina is open to anyone passionate about innovation and entrepreneurship. Whether you’re an aspiring entrepreneur, a seasoned professional, a student, or simply someone with a great idea, you’re welcome to join. We encourage individuals from diverse backgrounds, including business, technology, design, and more, to participate. Whether you’re looking to launch a startup, develop new skills, or network with like-minded individuals, Startup Weekend Žilina offers a collaborative environment to turn your ideas into reality and to discover new skills and partnerships.
The event’s core goal is to connect as many individuals as possible—whether between participants or with mentors and judges. These connections, combined with a focused goal, limited time, and intense work, foster lateral thinking alongside logical thinking. The result is innovative ideas and breaking through perceived boundaries of what’s possible. Participants have a unique opportunity to form teams and dedicate an entire weekend to developing their ideas. Organizers and partners handle the venue and technical setup. Additionally, participants will meet experienced mentors who offer valuable feedback and networking opportunities to help grow their business. Gain contacts, receive feedback on your work, learn a bunch of new skills, and have an energetic weekend full of hard work and great experiences.
We are bringing in more than 14 entrepreneurs and subject matter experts to guide and support you throughout the weekend.
We’ll keep you energized, nourished, and delighted throughout the weekend with Red Bull, meals, snacks, and coffee, all provided by local restaurants and vendors.
Thanks to our venue sponsor, your team will have a dedicated office for the entire weekend! This space is yours to brainstorm, build, refine your product, and practice your pitch.
Director, Product Management
Dynatrace
CTO @ Eazy Asigurări
Founder & CTO
AiApply
Lecturer & Researcher
UNIZA
CEO @ Easternmarket
Managing Director @ Birne studio
Expertka pre sociálne siete/marketing @ Marketrix
TBA
TBA
TBA
TBA
TBA
TBA
TBA
TBA
Scrum master @ KROS a. s.
TBA
TBA
TBA
Hee hee!
TBA
CEO & Angel Investor
pelicantravel.com, Gluon Syndicate
General Partner @ Zero One Hundred
TBA
TBA
TBA
Whoo are you.. Who? Who?__Who? Who?
Friday
18
16:30
Registration
17:30
Refreshment and networking
18:00
Welcome
18:45
Presentation of the ideas
19:45
Rating of the ideas
20:00
Forming of the teams
20:20
Lean Canvas Workshop
20:40
Start of the work
20:40
Start of the work
—–
Saturday
19
9:00
Breakfast
9:30
Work on the project
12:00
Lunch
12:45
Workshop How to present to the investors
13:15
Mentoring/Work on the project
18:00
Dinner
18:30
Work on the project
——
Sunday
20
9:00
Breakfast
9:30
Work on the project
12:00
Lunch
13:00
Work on the project/Set up of the presentation
16:00
Presentation of the ideas
18:00
Judging and the award ceremony
18:30
Dinner
You can come up with any idea. We had many non-technical projects. Eco, fashion recycling, bakery, design of a work table and often these projects were successful because they were different.
Definitely. An idea is one thing, execution is another. If you want to learn a lot of new things, please come. You can find an idea that you like the most and join it. Maybe you will become a co-founder of another successful business... : )
Absolutely. If you manage to excite people for your idea, Startup Weekend is just the place where you can get a team. If you don't have an idea, you can join the idea that appeals to you the most or where you can find greatest use for yoursef. In addition, you will get to know a lot of awesome people.
Certainly yes. You can make another big progress on your project. Find smart people for the team, get feedback from mentors and new contacts. The jury evaluates the progress over the weekend and the initial state is taken into account in order to maintain fairness.
●Laptop/Notepad
● Power cord for Laptop
● Your phone- feel free to take pictures or video of the event
● Optional: Whatever helps you to be most productive (keyboard, mouse, etc..)
● Lots of energy
The event is limited only by capacity. I.e. if tickets are available, you can also register on the spot. We recommend buying tickets in advance, precisely because of capacity limits - also because of the time management.
Friday: Participants typically arrive between 5-7 p.m., begin networking, and have dinner. After an ice-breaking game and an introduction by the Facilitator, there will typically be a short talk with a speaker. Then, the “Pitchfire” will commence: anyone intending to pitch will have 60 seconds to give their best pitch. No presentations are needed for Friday, it will just be you and a mic. After pitches are finished, all participants will vote on their favorites, and using these votes, the top ideas will be selected to be worked on over the weekend. The Facilitator will provide guidance on team formation. Then teams will form organically, consolidate, and get to know each other and begin working.
Saturday: Teams will work all day, with the occasional breaks to eat, listen to short talks, or attend a short workshop. Breakfast, lunch, dinner and snacks will be provided at an in-person event. In the afternoon mentors will be circulating to provide advice in the field of their expertise for those teams that want it. There will usually be a mentor sign-up sheet available where you can sign up for mentorship from someone with the industry experience that can support your team.
Sunday: Breakfast, lunch and dinner also will be provided on Sunday at in-person events. Teams will work uninterrupted from morning until mid-afternoon. They’ll begin wrapping up their product/prototype and presentation around 3 PM to do tech-checks and practice their presentation. After all judges have arrived, presentations will begin. Each team typically has five minutes plus around a three to five minute Q&A from the judges (this varies occasionally). The judges will select the top teams, who will be awarded prizes (if applicable), and the event usually ends with a small celebratory get-together.
Accommodation is not part of the event. For accommodation, it is possible to use e.g. university dormitories Veľky Diel. If you are interested -> please contact us.
The parts accessible to the public are on Friday approx. from 5PM., when registration, introduction to the event format, presentation of ideas and team formation take place. Also, the final presentations and evaluation of the jury are accessible to the general public on Sunday from 3PM. Due to the limited capacity for teams and the capacity of mentors, participation in the entire event is only available to registered participants who want to actively participate in the event. Registration will be suspended in case of capacity strain.
the ticket price includes:
- Space and place to work for the whole weekend
- Food for the whole weekend (2x dinner, 2x breakfast, 2x lunch)
- Professional mentoring
- T-shirt
- Office supplies
- Coffee, tea and energy drinks
- Good mood (Capacity is limited. Please also try to bring your own good mood. Otherwise we'll have to tell you jokes and that's exhausting.)
- Merch from our Partners
More or less useful advertising items, merch from our partners, after event mentoring, tickets for next events, software licences and subscription plans... But ask yourself! Are you really going to the SWZA for some ordinary stuff you can buy on the internet? Nah... You're comming for the better stuff. Contacts, good time, new friendships, professional mentoring, feedback from judges... See Ya in October!
Átrium NORDCITY Poštová
Poštová 1, 010 08 Žilina-Vlčince
NORDCITY Poštová
Inžinierske Centrum Siemens Mobility, s. r. o.
Obchodná 9076/3D, 010 08 Žilina-Vlčince
NORDCITY Obchodná
0.1 KM from event venue
NORDCITY Parkovací dom
Poštová 1, 010 08 Žilina-Vlčince
0.3 KM from event venue
Kaufland
Vysokoškolákov 8083/37, 010 01 Žilina-Vlčince
0.7 KM from event venue
Atrium Dubeň
Vysokoškolákov 8069/52, 010 08 Žilina
1.8 KM from event venue
Hotel Slovakia
Antona Bernoláka 3231/2A, 010 01 Žilina
1.0 KM from event venue
Penzión Sentami
Hlboká cesta 1699/18, 010 01 Žilina
2.0 KM from event venue
Penzión Kamélia
Tajovského 1991/1, 010 01 Žilina
2.1 KM from event venue
Hliny Dormitories
Hliny Dormitories, Street, Hlinská, 010 01 Žilina