Dublin Startup Weekend
I rode my bike over from work to the Google Offices in Dublin on a Friday evening. I didn’t know what to expect. I only knew a few people. Little did I know that over a short span of 54 hours my life would be so greatly impacted at Dublin Startup Weekend by Techstars.
During the opening hours we heard the testimonies of the Startup Weekend organizers. They seemed obsessed with the event. I didn’t understand why. But, I would after a few more hours.
The weekend started off with a a short social hour, pizza, ice breakers and a welcome. Then we got into the main event. Roughly 50 pitches were given by inspiring individuals of all ages. Everyone voted on the ideas that they liked the best and teams were formed. After picking a team to join, we worked together over the weekend to create a MVP (minimum viable product). We had 54 hours to find a team from strangers, create relationships, develop a product and a plan. Busy weekend if you ask me. It was amazing. On Sunday evening our hard work paid off during the pitches.
I joined a team that pitched a TapJar. Now, what is TapJar you ask and why is it needed?
Do you have cash or change on you right now? Well, roughly 70% of the the 172 people we surveyed said they sometimes or hardly ever carried cash or coins. Two thirds of them felt inclined to leave a tip. But, the world is going cashless. Tips at restaurants and donations for charities are declining because people do not have the cash on them. Over 80% of respondents would be likely to give a tip if there was a card option. So, my team devised a plan to create a new tipping experience through TapJar. No cash no problem. Tap and go.
The weekend inspired me. It showed me the power of resolve. My team was made up of two students, two people in the tech industry and one member in pharmaceuticals. Four people with different backgrounds and experiences. We learned to communicate and form a team with people who were previously strangers. We created surveys to test the market. Our MVP was made of a glass jar, green tissue paper, NFC, a small electronic device and a usb cable. It was scrappy but, viable. A business plan was formed. A pitch was crafted and delivered. A website and social media accounts were developed and run. Does all of this seem like it could be a real life situation? … It does to me. We had 54 hours to do what takes people months. Forming a business takes trial and error. It calls for exploration and drive.
We did not continue on with TapJar, but these were invaluable experiences that I will take away for the rest of my life. What we produced was not perfect but the experience was infinitely invaluable. It called for putting one foot in front of the other and continuing forward. We were under time pressures. We had to take risks and learn to fail so we could succeed. We will take these lessons with us into our lives and careers. I learned so much from the different strengths of my teammates - from topics in engineering a product, creating slides, running a team, making a pitch, being a great teammate, lending a helping hand, adapting and having a blast. The list could go on and on.
So, just incase you didn’t get my sentiment by the time you are reading this line… go to a Startup Weekend if you get the chance. No matter your age or industry. Go. It will be amazing and you will learn so much if you are open to the experience and stretching your abilities.