Purdue student startup hub to host Startup Weekend

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. – Local entrepreneurs will have a chance to bring their business ideas to life during an upcoming startup weekend event at a Purdue University student managed co-working space.

Startup Weekend Purdue will take place Friday (April 21) through Sunday (April 23) at the Anvil, 320 North St., West Lafayette, Indiana. For more information or to register for the event visit Startup Weekend Purdue registration. There is a cost of $35, but discounts are available upon need and request via the registration link by selecting “Contact.”

The Anvil is a Purdue Research Foundation-supported and student-run startup co-working space adjacent to the Purdue campus.

The event is being hosted by the local Purdue Theta Chapter of the national Epilson Nu Tau council of fraternities, a coed fraternity focusing on entrepreneurship, in partnership with the national TechStars StartupWeekend.org

Local sponsors include the Anvil, Purdue University Certificate in Entrepreneurship and Innovation, the Purdue Foundry, Gutwein Law, Wabash National Corp., Purdue Polytechnic Institute and Brightlamp.

Attendees will pitch their ideas Friday night, with voting on the top pitches and the formation of teams to discuss and develop the ideas to follow. Teams will spend the rest of the weekend working with expert coaches and mentors to develop business plans. The event will end on Sunday with business plan pitches judged by a panel of experts followed by the presentation of awards, including a three-month online incubator subscription, free memberships to co-working spaces and free coaching sessions with experts.

Participants will have the opportunity throughout the weekend to network with each other as well as with experienced entrepreneurs. At least 15 experienced entrepreneurs and startup experts are expected to take part in the weekend event.

About Epsilon Nu Tau

Epsilon Nu Tau is the first entrepreneurship fraternity in America. ENT is a coed, professional organization, dedicated to creating a society of entrepreneurial individuals.

About the Anvil

The Anvil is the largest co-working space operated by university students in the U.S. and is used by Purdue University students as well as the surrounding community. 

Purdue Research Foundation contact: Curt Slyder, 765-588-3342, caslyder@prf.org

Source: Heidi Schmidt, 317-518-5541, schmidh@purdue.edu