Renowned global startup event comes to Cornwall

We're delighted to be hosting Cornwall’s first Techstars Startup Weekend in the Launchpad Venture Studio from 20 to 22 May.

Part of the globally renowned Techstars Startup Weekend movement, the events are designed to support and encourage budding entrepreneurs, intrapreneurs, creatives and anyone with new business ideas.

Over an action-packed three days, participants will have the opportunity to pitch an idea, build a team to work on that idea, meet mentors, network, present to a panel of judges on the final night and maybe even start a business!

US-based coach, educator, and speaker Roger Osorio, who has just released his first book, The Journey to Reinvention, will be facilitating the event - his 56th!

Roger said: “This is a great opportunity to get those ideas out of your heads and start testing them. It’s also the perfect platform to rediscover your direction, whether that be from student to entrepreneur or entrepreneur to professional or vice versa. I’m really looking forward to coming to Cornwall and helping participants take their idea from concept to creation.”

The event has been backed by sponsors PKF Francis Clark, Murrell Associates and Doyle Clayton. 

Rosanna Weatherly from Francis Clark will be taking part as a judge on the Sunday when participants pitch their final ideas. Rosanna said: "It's really exciting to see tomorrow's future being founded today in Cornwall. We're looking forward to meeting some amazing talent over the weekend, and seeing how their ideas can form into businesses of the future for Cornwall and further afield."

Henry Maples from Murrell Associates added: "We are passionate about supporting tech businesses in Cornwall and pleased to help great initiatives like Techstars nurture the next generation of talented tech founders."

Local entrepreneurs and business experts including Vital Spark Creative Director Chris Booker, brand consultant Amy Wright, Touchbyte Managing Director Jeremey Sneller, Falmouth University lecturer Vivienne Neale, Hollie Kirk from SETsquared Exeter and Gregg Harding from Access to Finance will be on hand over the weekend guiding the teams as they work on their ideas. Joining Rosanna on the judging panel on Sunday for the pitch competition will be Tom Pugh-Jones from Pentire Group and Launchpad's Business Coach Rebecca Loto. 

Techstars Startup Weekend Penryn takes place 20-22 May in the Launchpad Studio on the Penryn Campus, there a few tickets still available, find out more and book yours via the event page.