Hundreds of Dayton’s upcoming entrepreneurs will gather together for the annual Launch Dayton Startup Week. Annually, the event brings startup founders and business owners to empower and inspire one another and future innovators.
The week-long, free conference will be held at the historic Dayton Arcade and The Hub Powered by PNC on September 12-15. The conference will offer a variety of talks, hands-on business workshops and vibrant networking opportunities. The event this year will be held fully in person.
The event has several notable sponsors including Fifth Third Bank.
“Our commitment to support Startup Week and the region’s entrepreneur and small business community continues. We are proud to be the presenting sponsor again this year," said Marya Rutherford Long, Fifth Third Bank VP, community impact manger. "Our communities are vibrant because entrepreneurs take risks every day and pursue visions for a better world."
The 2023 Launch Dayton Startup Week lineup will feature 50+ speakers across more than 60 sessions. Startup week will also include a number of social events including early coffee and networking to kickoff each day, lunch time mingling and end-of-day pub crawls and parties.
The peak of the week will be the annual Startup Week Pitch Competition. This year, more than $20,000 in prizes will be up for grabs. Applications are still open.
Here is a look at some key sessions:
- Build a Powerhouse Board of Advisors: In this session, a team of presenters from The Social Capital Project will define and explore what social capital is, how to cultivate it, and how to use it.
- 10 Steps to Commercialize a Technology: This session will walk you through a proven 10-step method for technology commercialization.
- Identify & De-Risk Big Ideas: Learn how to evaluate ideas instantly to know if you have an innovative idea worth pursuing.
- Mentor Magic: Where to Find Them, and How to Utilize Them to Grow Your Business: In this session, learn how to find the right mentor, and how to engage with them once you do.
- Startup Funding Panel: In this session, business owners and investors will discuss the pros and cons of venture capital, traditional small business lending, and bootstrapping your way through.
- How to Land Corporate Clients: Learn how to craft a proposal for a potential corporate customer, & learn how to make sure you're actually ready to work with that corporate client when they hire you.
- Build a 5-Figure Social Media Following: Experts share their tips and tricks to help you engage with your customers and build community online.
Alongside the above sessions, some local business owners will be sharing their stories and advice including Barry Besecker (Marxent), Katie Hill (UNLISTED), Jason Molnar (Infinity Labs), Nicole Cornett (Billie Gold Bubble Tea), Jackie Gamblin (JYG Innovations), Jay Martinez (Metaphorically Speaking Dayton) and Isaac Williams (performing artist).
To see a full schedule and register for the kid-friendly week, visit the official Launch Dayton Startup Week 2023 page.
