1)  Pre-Startup Weekend Orientation. Let’s give peeps a better idea what rad is before rad happens.

2)  Site/Blog revamp-ish to clarify what goes down at Startup Weekend for noobs.

3)  Logistics. Venue, structure, I know we’re solid on the PBR, but did you like our pizza?

4)  Stakeholders.  Who else can we bring in that will be of use to you as you bootstrap your way through the weekend.

We’re open like 7/11 to your feedback from Startup Weekend 2 and ideas for Startup Weekend 3, so if you’re in, holla here.

Cheers,

Lisa

In just 54 hours, this team — and five other teams — turned their idea into a viable business. That’s what Startup Weekend is all about!

Using your existing social networks, Gofi.sh is a buyer-driven game to get the best deals and advice on products and services. If Twitter is “What are you doing?” and Four Square is “Where are you?” then GoFi.sh is “What are you looking for?” You can find Gofi.sh on Twitter @gofishapp or at http://gofi.sh/.

As the winning team, here is what they will receive:

Nebula Shift, a startup at the razor’s edge of incubating successful software businesses, has offered four months of free office space and resources. N-Shift will also revisit this period at the four-month mark.

Peppershock Media, a hybrid agency in the areas of marketing and creative production, has stepped up and pledged $1,000 of their award-winning services.

Idaho Technology Council, a premier member-drive technology association dedicated to fostering the growth of tech companies in the State of Idaho, will the team with a free one-year Technology Membership.

Tsuvo, a savvy online innovations group providing web development, internet marketing, and search engine optimization, has thrown in a free Marketing Analysis, an essential step in establishing  a powerful web presence worth over $1,000.

A huge thanks to our panel of judges: James Hepworth, Co-Founder of Nebula Shift; Russell Case, local attorney and angel investor; Dave Romero, Co-Founder of Tsuvo, Inc.; Jessica Flynn, President of Red Sky Public Relations; and Mike McGrath, President of Action Couriers, Inc.

The 2^nd Idaho Startup Weekend had some fierce competition with six innovative, hard-working teams.  The panel of judges gave an honorable mention to Retroper team.

Check out the Idaho Startup Weekend blog for details on the rest of the Idaho Startup Weekend teams. We can’t wait to see what they do!

~ Melissa M.

James Hepworth, Co-Founder, Nebula Shift

James Hepworth is the co-founder of Nebula Shift, a business concept dedicated to the acceleration in the formation, development and success of software startup businesses. Prior to Nebula Shift, Hepworth was the co-founder and Chief Technology Officer of MarkMonitor. Hepworth brings not only a true passion for startups but also broad experience from all aspects of business and technology, including fundraising, sales, technical architecture, strategic planning and tactical execution.

Russell Case, Angel Investor

Russell Case is a business lawyer by education and a business strategist by luck and design. He’s worked as a corporate-securities lawyer and in-house attorney for multi-national companies. But after more than 20 years in business and law, he came to Boise in 2007 with a goal of bringing “virtual general counsel” services to local and regional growth/early revenue companies. Russell has a knack for aligning legal services with business realities in a unique and cost-effective manner. He brings his expertise as not only an attorney but also an angel investor to Startup Weekend.

Dave Romero, Co-Founder, Tsuvo, Inc.

Dave Romero is the co-founder of the rapidly growing online innovations firm Tsuvo Inc. Before founding Tsuvo just over two years ago, Dave served as a member of the MSN Live search engine team. Dave’s colleagues consider him an adrenaline enthusiast in and outside the office. He holds a B.B.A from Gonzaga University. Dave brings his unique perspective and expertise as the founder of a rad, local startup.

Jessica Flynn, President, Red Sky Public Relations

Jessica Flynn is the founder, owner and President of Red Sky Public Relations, Idaho’s largest public relations agency. A former journalist, Jessica now applies her reporting and producing instincts to highly successful public relations campaigns on behalf of clients large and small, local and global. She specializes in promotion of places and is recognized regionally as a specialist in utilizing social media opportunities. Prior to founding Red Sky, Jessica was the first Communications Manager for Idaho’s Tamarack Resort. She brings years of innovative PR experience.

Mike McGrath, President, Action Couriers

Mike McGrath is the founder and president of Action Couriers Inc., a same-day delivery service in Idaho, Oregon, Wyoming and Utah.  Mike started Action Couriers in 1996 with his wife, Rhonda, just one vehicle, and a lot of motivation. Now, Action Couriers has grown into a fleet of 55 vehicles and more than 80 employees. Before starting his own business, Mike spent 20 years working in sales and finance for global corporations, including several years as the Chief Financial Officer for Sandoz Corporation (now called Novartis). He brings expertise as a Certified Public Accountant and business owner.

We welcome all of our judges and thank them for taking part in Idaho Startup Weekend.  It wouldn’t be possible without them.

See you this weekend!

~ Melissa M.

And where would we be without the additional sponsorship of Red Sky Public Relations, the WaterCooler, and Coding Inertia, Creative Soapbox, and more.

How does a startup win?  That’s up to a panel of esteemed judges from the startup, venture capital, marketing, legal, and public relations community who will evaluate Sunday night demos.

Do you have what it takes? The code “tech” will get you 10 bucks off of a ticket in the door.  The rest is up to you.

Sponsorship or other questions, hit up Lisa McGrath by email or twitter. See you there.

President & Founder of Idaho Technology Council

Larsen is the President & Founder of Idaho Technology Council, which is a premier member-drive association dedicated to fostering the growth of tech companies in the State of Idaho and providing a forum for industry, research, educators, investors, and government throughout the state.

Use the code “tech” for $10 off your ticket to Startup Weekend, and be there, 5:30p.m., May 21st, at the WaterCooler, for this rad event.

Questions? Contact Lisa McGrath by email or Twitter.

Marketing is not my thing so I won’t try to give you a slick answer as to why you should attend Startup Weekend. I’ll tell you what motivated me to attend and why I’ll do it again…beer and food. Okay, I didn’t know there would be beer there when I signed up, but I did it partly out of curiosity and partly out of a desire to meet smart and creative people.

I’ve been a freelance software developer in Boise for a long time, but because most of my projects are small enough to do solo, the opportunities to meet and interact with other developers are limited. When I heard about Startup Weekend, I thought I might meet some interesting people, and if it was lame, I’d leave. I did meet interesting people. I was drawn into great conversations with a lot of intelligent people from the start – developers, designers, marketers, even lawyers.

After the initial networking was done, ideas were chosen, teams were formed, and the fun began.  For the next two days, the WaterCooler  buzzed with designing, whiteboarding, and coding. For me, it was intense, challenging, and educational. And I loved every minute of it. (Did I mention beer?)

A few recommendations if you attend Startup Weekend. First, and most importantly, network with as many people as you can when you first arrive. You’re speed-dating your potential teammates. Next, if you have an idea to pitch, organize your thoughts and practice beforehand. The group will be voting on which projects to pursue and you want to hook everyone in the short time you have to sell. Finally, let go of all expectations you may have for an outcome. Your team may build a killer product with the potential for huge success but, even if you walk away on Sunday evening with nothing but new friends and the experience, it’s a huge #win.

See you there!

Greg Harley