Entrepreneurs in search of help with their business plan gathered the first weekend of August at the San Fernando Valley Startup Weekend. The event, held in the Burbank headquarters of online marketing agency Gazoozle Inc., attracted around 50 people. Many of the startup concepts focused on social media or apps. The event was part networking and part competition. First, all participants met Friday and pitched their ideas. A hands-up vote selected the best ones and people joined teams to develop the concepts. On Sunday, a panel of judges heard final presentations. While the teams were scrambling to put their presentations together, they also enjoyed social events, presentations by guest speakers and face-to-face time with coaches from local businesses. “You never leave empty-handed from a Startup Weekend,” said Sheryl Morales, lead organizer. “The best thing about it is meeting other people.” The event was the second such gathering held in the Valley and is the local version in a series held in 200 cities globally. Each event is autonomous but operates under the auspices of Up Global, a Seattle non-profit that fosters entrepreneurship. The cost to attend the Burbank event ranged from about $30 up to $49, depending on discounts. Morales found Startup Weekend on the web and went to her first one in San Francisco in 2011. Eventually, she would like to have one every three to four months if the organization can find a permanent Valley home. The winning entry at Startup Weekend was for a website called Teamz that would allow individuals and groups to showcase their work and pitch ideas to other companies in hope of securing collaborations. – Jon Nelson
