An event that has the potential to kick-start new businesses on the Island will get underway this Friday.

The first Startup Weekend to be held in Bermuda aims to bring together developers, marketers, designers, business managers and aspiring entrepreneurs.

During a 54-hour period, from Friday to Sunday, the participants will organise into teams to take an idea from concept to a start-up business prototype launch.

The concept has proven popular in the United States, where Startup Weekend is run in partnership with Google for Entrepreneurs. More than 45,000 people have taken part in the events.

Local organisers believe it will prove popular in Bermuda. The event is being staged at Mount St Agnes Academy.

“We have a huge entrepreneurial community. Bermuda seems to breed them. Hopefully people will see the benefit of it,” said Coral Wells.

She has first-hand experience of a Startup Weekend, having taken part in an event in Charlottesville, Virginia, and was a member of the winning team.

“It was very inspiring. We were near the University of Virginia campus, so we had a number of students come along who were computer savvy and techie. They showed very high energy and wanted to see what they could build,” said Ms Wells.

At the start of the weekend pitches for start-up ideas are made to the group. Each pitch lasts only 60 seconds or less. After that the best ideas are chosen and the attendees organise themselves into teams of their own choice to pursue one of the start-up ideas.

On Sunday, after 54 hours of collaboration, the teams present what they have managed to create as a start-up, and this is judged by a panel of judges and potential investors. Prizes are given to the top three teams.

It is an intense and productive experience, allowing for networking and team building, said Ms Wells, who is the owner of W&W Solutions Ltd.

“You are making up a mini business for the weekend and bringing the concept to fruition.”

She explained that in the Charlottesville event her group would work until 9pm each night and sometimes longer by reconvening at a restaurant or coffee shop.

Mentors and coaches assist the teams by guiding them towards achievable outcomes during the weekend.

Ms Wells’ team won the event with a data-visualisation concept. She brought a business background to the team, helping to contain the scope of the idea to something that was accomplishable within the time-frame of 54 hours.

She said it was about bringing people together to turn an idea into a reality.

Benefits from the Startup Weekend include learning during the creative process, building networks with other developers, business people and entrepreneurs, learning new skills and launching a start-up business, albeit as a prototype.

More than 36 per cent of start-ups created at past Startup Weekend events are still going after three months.

Also involved in the Bermuda event are Nhuri Bashir, co-owner of Into-Bermuda and Courtney Daniels-Bushner, owner of Cahoot, who have both attended Startup Weekend events in the US.

Ethan Bagley, from the Virginia event, will be the weekend facilitator.

“I am so excited to be able to come to Bermuda to help launch the first Startup Weekend. I know that those who participate will have a life changing experience,” he said.

The Bermuda event is supported by the Department of E-Commerce’s Inspire eBusiness initiative and the Bermuda Economic Development Corporation.

Ms Wells added: “We have reached out to schools to get them involved, because we have some amazing students out there.”

Tickets for the event, which include food and resources, are $99, with a discounted price for students.

Organisers have also secured a few sponsored slots that have yet to be allocated to schools or would-be attendees. For further details about Startup Weekend Bermuda, and to register, go to www.inspireebusiness.bm