StartupBus is an annual three-day entrepreneurial competition commonly known as a hackathon. Competitors are challenged to conceive, build and launch a viable startup with a group of strangers in 72 hours while travelling 60 mph on a bus. After three days of developing products and refining pitches, each team will present at SXSW interactive in Austin, Texas.
For those lucky enough to be chosen, a ticket to StartupBus includes a seat on the bus and a one-of-a-kind entrepreneurial 3-day experience. StartupBus tickets do not include hotels, food or sleep (but, more often than not, you will be working into the night).
Judges and mentors for this year’s competition include Dave McClure, Raval Navikant, Robert Scoble and more. We’re looking for designers, developers and business people to compete on the bus. Applying for StartupBus is easy: simply link you Facebook and turn in your application on StartupBus.com. StartupBus Chicago is also now accepting sponsors. Those interested in sponsoring the event can apply by emailing Sponsorship@StartupBus.com. More details can be found in this Sponsorship PDF.
Want to learn more? Join the StartupBus Chicago Team at Moe’s Cantina on Monday, February 11th from 6:30 to 10 p.m. More details here.
Until then, here is the agenda for StartupBus 2013:
Saturday, March 2: Chicago
Launch party in respective cities. “Buspreneurs” have more time to get stuff together; conductors have more breathing room before launch.
Sunday, March 3: On the road
Buses leave from respective cities. Team building, etc.
Monday, March 4: On the road
Optional: Event or meet-and-greet at a tech hub on the road, Bus caravans
Tuesday, March 5: On the road
Arrive in San Antonio, TX in evening (rolling arrival)
Wednesday, March 6: San Antonio
One-on-one’s, Semi-final pitches in evening
Thursday, March 7: San Antonio
Finals at Rackspace AM. Start shuttling from San Antonio to Austin. 6:00PM – start of startup crawl
Friday, March 8: Austin
Shuttle buspreneurs from San Antonio to Austin for SXSW. Buspreneurs are free to wander conference
Saturday, March 9: Austin
Final StartupBus/Rackspace party in Austin
Sunday, March 10: Austin
Finals vs. People’s Choice Competition