Let's set the scene: Three entrepreneurs are hanging out on the beach. Not just any beach, but the Jersey shore. It's summer. In other people's minds, it's a lazy time. But for entrepreneurs Greg Berry, Mike Bianchini and Dave Drager there's no such thing as shutting off one's brains, not even in the presence of sun, surf and sand. An idea is born:
Startup Beach House.
This summer, says Greg Berry, founder of
Municibid, up to 15 people will work and play together for a week in August. Groups of 2-4 will create up to five new companies, present at a demo day, and win awards. The project will begin on Saturday Aug. 11, with a demo day on Friday Aug. 17, and will wrap up on August 18.
Berry says, "Let's see what they can build over the course of a week. We'll change it up and have some fun, and see how people deal with the distractions that come from being at the beach."
So far, the project's
Launchrock-powered homepage has drawn more than 1,000 visitors and nearly 200 sign-ups. It so happens that Dave Drager was part of the
Philly Startup Weekend team that created Launchrock, and he is also VP of Technology Development at
Razor. The third member of the SBH founding team, Mike Bianchini, is the CMO of Municibid.
Berry says a house has not yet been chosen, and if there is sufficient interest, there might be enough people to fill two adjacent houses. The team is looking for rentals in Sea Isle City, Avalon and environs, and ruling out the dry towns of the Jersey shore. "People might like to have a cocktail outside of the house," says Berry.
"The participants will determine how hard they want to work to put out a product," adds Berry, who plans on prizes for first place, and says he already has some commitments from companies for goods and services to be handed out to the winning team. "We are actively looking for a partner to invest in the winning company." Investors, advisors and mentors will be invited to stop in.
Startup Beach House organizers have not yet determined if there will be a fee to participate. "We'd love to be able to do it for free, or keep the cost as minimal as possible. A nominal fee could ensure that the the teams are committed to going," says Berry.
Applications will likely be due in the beginning of May, with a review period to follow that will include team interviews. Berry is considering an online voting process to determine top teams, and the final decision will come in mid-June.
You can follow Startup Beach House on
Twitter and
Facebook.
Source: Greg Berry, Startup Beach House
Writer: Sue Spolan