By GARRETT SAGER
Hays Post
From Nov. 11 to 13, the Fort Hays State Center for Entrepreneurship will be hosting the fourth annual Kansas Startup, an event designed to bring entrepreneurs from all over Kansas together to discuss and launch new business ideas.
“Kansas Startup is a fast-paced, high-energy, and it is a lot of hard work” said Henry Schwaller, director of the Center for Entrepreneurship.
Kansas Startup creates an opportunity for anyone who has an interest in starting a business, nonprofit or cause-related organization to learn how to develop their idea.
The event is open to anybody, not just students at FHSU. Although the bulk of participants have been local students, Schwaller said they have had participants from as far as Greensburg and Ashland.
Typically, there are about 40 participants for the Kansas Start up, and Schwaller expects to hit that number once again. Currently, 16 have already signed up.
The weekend begins at 6 p.m. Friday, Nov. 11, in McCartney Hall on the FHSU campus. With early registration deadline passed, registration is now $75.
On Friday night, everyone comes together for a social hour to become better acquainted with one another.
Participants will make their project pitches in front of the crowd. Each participant will have 60 seconds to pitch their idea, although you do not need to pitch an idea to participate.
“You may not have an idea, but you may be a part of something that leads to something or leads to you coming up with an idea,” Schwaller said. “Curiosity brings people in, as well. You can simply show up to find out how to launch your idea or just observe.”
Participants will form groups after the pitch session is complete. A ballot will go around to all the participants as they fill out which idea they thought was the best and which one they would want to be a part of.
Once teams are formed, they work on their concepts over a 48-hour period. Each group will receive valuable input and guidance from coaches who all have professional and industry experience, according to Schwaller.
“All the coaches are very qualified … and they will be directly involved to make sure everything is covered,” he said.
Currently there are eight coaches signed up who meet the qualification standards, but Schwaller is expecting more.
The event concludes with team presentations to a panel of judges Sunday evening. The weekend activities begin at 8 a.m. on Saturday and will conclude at 7 p.m. on Sunday.
Materials are provided by the Center of Entrepreneurship. The only thing the participants need to bring is their brain and laptop, said Schwaller.