A premier 3-day startup competition bringing together innovators, builders, and leaders to pitch, build, and launch.
Roots Weekend
Why build at Roots Weekend?
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Win investment
Most competitions hand out certificates. We hand out the tools to take your idea to market: capital, design, development, and legal. At Roots Weekend you’re competing for up to $600K in initial investment.
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Vetted talent
We recruit top developers, designers, and operators. Whether you pitch or join a team, you’ll be building with top-tier talent.
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Expert network
Over 15 years, we’ve built a network of mentors in tech, business, law, and design, and they’re on call for all teams. You’ll get months of feedback in one weekend.
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Proven track record
Zapier and EquipmentShare both started here with a 60-second pitch. This is not your typical startup competition.
Where ideas become startups
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$500K Investment
Potential investment from Redbud VC and partners
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100+ Experts
On-call mentors across tech, business, law, and design
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15+ Years
Of building startups and alumni success stories
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Pitch
Friday evening
60 seconds. No slides. No demos. Just you and your idea. Stand up and pitch your startup concept to the room.
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Vote
Friday evening
Everyone in the room votes for the ideas they like best. The top ideas move on to form teams.
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Teams
Friday evening
The winning pitchers recruit developers, designers and operators to build their idea with them.
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Build
Saturday-Sunday
Two days to build. Teams work with on-call mentors to shape the idea, make a product and test it with customers.
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Winner
Sunday afternoon
Teams present what they built to the judges, who pick the winners and award the prizes.
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Afterparty
Sunday evening
Celebrate the weekend with every team, mentor and judge.
Expert network
Grab your prize
1st Place
- $10,000 cash prize
- Share of $100,000 voted investment pool
- $40,000 in services (legal, brand, development)
- Potential $500,000 investment
2nd Place
- $3,000 cash prize
- $5,000 in services
- Share of $100,000 voted investment pool
3rd Place
- $1,000 cash prize
- Share of $100,000 voted investment pool
Backed by the best
Roots weekend is made possible by these incredible sponsors.
Frequently asked questions
Who is startup weekend for?
Students, developers, designers, operators and anyone who wants to turn an idea into a startup over one weekend.
Do I have to have an idea to participate?
No. Many people join a team after the Friday pitches and help build someone else’s idea.
What is included with my ticket?
Entry to all three days, including the Friday pitches, the weekend build with on-call mentors, and the Sunday afterparty.
What are the Friday pitches?
Anyone can pitch an idea in 60 seconds, with no slides or demos. The room then votes on which ideas form teams.
Can I apply with my existing business?
Roots Weekend is built around new ideas started at the event. If you have an existing business, contact us and we will talk it through.
Is Roots Weekend only for tech companies?
No. Any startup idea is welcome, whether it is software, a physical product or a local business.
What is the goal of Roots Weekend?
To have fun while launching a business with a team, and to compete for the Roots Weekend championship.
What are the Sunday pitches?
After a weekend of customer discovery, building and research, each team presents to the judges: 3 minutes to pitch with a deck, then 5 minutes of questions.
Can I just watch the pitches?
Yes. Spectator tickets are free and cover Friday, Sunday or both. Don’t buy a participant ticket if you only want to watch.
Do I have to take part in all three days?
Yes. Everyone who joins a team is expected to be there all three days, both for their own experience and so the team isn’t disrupted.
Which ticket should I buy if I want to pitch?
Anyone with a participant ticket can pitch. Pick the ticket that best matches your skills.
What should I bring?
A laptop and charger, a notepad and pen, your phone, and plenty of energy. A second monitor or keyboard is welcome if it helps you work.
What is the refund policy?
Refunds are available up to 72 hours before the event.
Do all ideas get worked on?
No. Everyone votes after the Friday pitches. For example, 30 ideas might be pitched and the 12 with the most votes become teams. Everyone else joins a team or stays to watch.
Can I pitch more than one idea?
It depends on how many people pitch and the schedule, so lead with your best idea. You can only work on one idea over the weekend.
Am I expected to work all 54 hours?
No. Some teams choose to work through the night, but nobody is expected to.
What help is there during the weekend?
Speakers and an expert network in entrepreneurship, software, marketing, finance, law and more are on hand all weekend. The Redbud VC team also runs workshops on Saturday.
Who owns the ideas?
Redbud VC doesn’t claim ownership of any idea presented. Ownership is up to each team, and the event doesn’t take part in any legal agreements between participants.
What should we have done by Sunday?
There are no set requirements, but plan around what you’ll be judged on: whether you talked to customers, what you built, and how the business makes money.
What are the judging criteria?
Founder strength, problem and urgency, solution and product, market size, traction, business model, and how clearly the pitch tells the story.
Why is it a competition?
Competition isn’t the main point. The weekend is about learning, but a little friendly pressure reflects real startup life.