Startup Weekend is a non-profit, community-building event that brings together entrepreneurs of different backgrounds, including software developers, marketers, designers, and other enthusiasts. They gather to pitch ideas, form teams and start companies in just 54 hours. The participants that attend have 60 seconds to make a pitch (optional), the pitches are whittled down to the top ideas, and then teams form around the ideas to come out with several developed companies or projects. Finally, the weekend culminates with demonstrations in front of an audience of judges and potential investors.
This is Arkansas's second Startup Weekend, but the event occurs all over the world throughout the year and they've been very successful. The event will be held the weekend of November 15-17, and we have several Arkansas organizations, like Innovate Arkansas, helping us out. You can find more info at http://northwestarkansas.startupweekend.org/.