How Startup Weekend Didn’t Change My Life

Startup Weekends (and similar conferences) are an interesting concept; but they are also an oxymoron.

They are basically weekend-long, hands-on experiences where entrepreneurs and aspiring entrepreneurs can find out if startup ideas are viable. These 54-hour events bring together developers, designers, marketers, product managers and startup enthusiasts to share ideas, form teams, build products and launch new ventures.

Call me an antagonist, but I just don’t think this concept works. I mean, for one, most start-ups ultimately fail. Couple that with the fact that you’re trying to build a concept or rough idea into a full-blown product in a ridiculously short period of time – you pitch your concept Friday, execute it Saturday and launch it Sunday – makes me skeptical of the whole thing.

From my perspective, these conferences are a good way to build something small – functional software code that is worth taking the time to pursue, for example – but not a fully operational piece of software or a product, much less an entire company. At least, not one with staying power. And most importantly, there isn’t time to do the up-front diligence in assessing the market potential of ideas or test those ideas with potential customers.

Startup Weekend may be the new hip way to dabble your feet to sample startup life. And don’t get me wrong, they are a great way to network and grow your rolodex of experts and learn what others have to offer. But in my opinion, you’re not going to walk away with your startup dream come true.