**Update**
As the world begins to open up and the culture and tourism industry finds its feet, Plymouth Startup Weekend have decided to reschedule their April event until later this year – to give everyone a chance to come together with bigger, bolder, more innovative ideas.
If you want to learn more about what the Culture and Tourism Weekend is all about, check out the information below. And, if you are interested in joining the next Plymouth Startup Weekend event, register your interest here.
The Plymouth Startup Weekend returns between April 23rd and April 25th and will see emerging entrepreneurs and industry experts teaming up to revolutionise UK culture and tourism in a post-pandemic world.
With an ever-growing network of organisations, entrepreneurs, emerging talent and a track record in delivering engaging, high-value events, the Plymouth Startup Weekend is back this spring with a big question for business brains and creative thinkers everywhere: How can our cities rejuvenate culture and tourism post-pandemic? For Britain’s Ocean City, which was picked as one of the top ten places to travel in 2020 by Condé Nast Traveller magazine, this is an even bigger question.
Organised by the University of Plymouth, as part of the iMayflower project, and part of the globally renowned Techstars Startup Weekend movement, this year’s digital event is focused on finding the bold and innovative ideas that will make Plymouth a prime cultural destination of 2022 – at the same time supporting the flourishing entrepreneurial community in the city and connecting businesses with entrepreneurs and talent.
The Culture and Tourism industry in Plymouth accounts for nearly £70 million of economic output per year, with a vast 365 businesses in the city classed as arts, entertainment and recreation. In line with Plymouth Culture’s recently announced strategy, over three days teams of ambitious minds will be challenged to solve problems and forge creative ideas to protect the arts, live music events and iconic attractions for future years.
Whilst coming up with world-beating solutions and collaborating across different sectors, inspired attendees will have the opportunity to work with expert mentors each specialising in an important facet of business. The involvement of the business community is what truly helps bring these events to life and it is fantastic to see some familiar faces from across the South West Tech scene. By placing their support, the weight of their expertise and their hearts and minds, right into the soul of our entrepreneurial ecosystem businesses are ensuring a vibrant and growing economy from the heart of the SW. Creating a culture of innovation and intrapreneurship is now seen as a key success factor in most companies today – so if you want to encourage this in your organisation and bring new ideas to the surface, this is the place to do just that.
Following previous Startup Weekends mentors have gone on not only to collaborate and work with each other, but also to hire attendees and previous 2019 winners, Big Sis, have already become a registered CIC and ran a hugely successful crowdfunding campaign thanks to the connections made at the event.
Friedel Fink, Founder of Big Sis CIC and Plymouth Startup Weekend Winner 2019: “Plymouth Startup Weekend inspired us to crowdfund and kicked off our journey to flourishing CIC status”
This next online edition is being supported by video streaming company First Sight Media, who managed the production of the previous weekend, along with Prize sponsors Devon Chambers of Commerce and Real Ideas Organisation.
Last year’s online event saw around forty attendees, with fifteen original ideas pitched and seven teams formed. The network surrounding the event consisted of eighteen various industry connections, with eight supporting business sponsors. In this new edition the Plymouth Startup Weekend team are looking to work with more innovative leaders and organisations across the South West, and beyond, in order to support the citywide cultural strategy at this crucial time for the industry – forging a lasting impact on our economy by supporting some of the region’s brightest and boldest entrepreneurs.
Tony Edwards, Serial Plymouth Startup Weekend Mentor: “The startup weekends have always been a fun project to be a part of, and one which has iterated upwards over its lifetime. The energy that the smattering of entrepreneurs, designers, and developers allow the teams to bring exciting ideas to life in such a short time. Whether you’re looking to pitch your idea for support, want to join forces with fellow founders to bring a product to market, or keen to see if your tech talent can be put to good use in the cultural sector, this is the perfect event for you to take part in.”
Emily Barrett, Knowledge Exchange Officer at the University of Plymouth, and lead organiser of Plymouth Startup Weekend: “An important part in everything we do is collaborating with the local business community and these events are no different! It is wonderful to have the involvement of so many local organisations supporting the growth of the entrepreneurial ecosystem and inspiring emerging talent and aspiring entrepreneurs from the city and beyond.”
To find out more and book your place visit the event page here.
If your business is interested in taking part in or supporting the Plymouth Startup Weekend, contact the organisers at [email protected].
This activity is led by the University of Plymouth and is part of the iMayflower project. iMayflower is supported by The Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport through the Cultural Development Fund which is administered by Arts Council England. Find out more about the University of Plymouth’s activity here.