Startup Weekend Manila 2012: An Insight

The result of the Startup Weekend Manila 2012 winners was already released from their blog: 

First prize: Kiddle

Second prize: RideFind

Third prize: TraqMe

Fourth prize: Sphere

Build-a-better-world prize: 1Share1Life

Best E-Commerce prize: SpinMeBuddy

Best Windows phone application: TraqMe

People’s Choice: MentorsDojo

I was not able to participate personally. My Startup Weekend was spent instead at St. Luke's Hospital due to nasal infection. Here I am, still in my room and due for an operation tomorrow morning. Even though I was not at the actual venue, I managed to watch the event from my laptop via livestream. I could feel the room filled with energy and passion, as well as fear among the presenters. By the way, this is not only happening in Manila but places like in Australia and Hawaii, having their Startup Weekend as well.

After watching, which ended up before midnight and seen the final results from their blog, here are my insights should you wish to participate in the next Startup Weekend.

   

Sensibility - You only have a weekend to create your app. Make sure that the team has the skill and the capacity to do the prototype and present it to the judges on the final day. This is more than lip service. Prototype would mean that it could be done without yet the investors' money at hand. An app that has no prototype because it needs gazillion pesos to make it work would only drive your investors away. Be realistic.

Simplicity - As the saying goes, less is more. The Draw Something app is a perfect example, but among the presenters from the Startup Weekend, my personal favorite is TraqMe. The concept is to track the location of your loved ones especially if you have kids, simply to be able to know where they are. 

   

Sociability - It should bring people together, not only through friendship but for a cause. The 1Share1Life app is a social media where people could help other people pertaining to medical needs. What a beautiful concept. An app that would involved a lot of people means marketability as well as bottom line for investors.

Congratulations to the winners as well as for those who had participated.

To the organizers, thank you and hope to see you for the next Startup Weekend this time.

"An idea that is developed and put into action is more important than an idea that exists only as an idea." - Buddha