In this episode of the Iowa Tech Podcast, host Kaylee interviews Colleen Kinsey, co-founder of SoftVoya and co-organizer of Startup Weekend Des Moines. They discuss the recently concluded Startup Weekend event, highlighting its significance and the impact it has on participants. Colleen shares her journey into the startup ecosystem, initially unaware of what Startup Weekend entailed until she attended an event in Iowa City, which led to her organizing subsequent events in Des Moines.
Startup Weekend is described as a 52-hour event where participants form teams and work on business ideas, culminating in a pitch. Colleen emphasizes the importance of customer validation and how the event encourages vulnerability and collaboration. She recounts the success stories from previous events, such as Tumbleweed and Act Right Here, showcasing the potential of ideas developed during the weekend.
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The conversation also touches on the challenges of organizing the event, especially during the initial 2024 event, which coincided with a blizzard, forcing a hybrid format. Despite challenges, the event saw significant participation, including teams traveling from North Carolina and Iowa City.
Colleen highlights the role of mentors, who provide guidance and support to the teams throughout the weekend. The podcast also delves into the emotional impact of pitches, particularly the winning pitch from Clair Williams-Vavra’s company, Held, which addresses postpartum issues.
The discussion concludes with optimism about the future of the Iowa startup ecosystem, emphasizing the growth and enthusiasm for innovation and collaboration. Colleen expresses gratitude to her co-organizers and volunteers, highlighting the collective effort required to make the event successful. She invites those interested in joining future events to reach out, underscoring the community’s supportive nature. The episode ends with a teaser for the next podcast featuring Clair Williams-Vavra, the winner of this year’s Startup Weekend.