October 31 - November 4

Entrepreneur Week is a series of workshops, speaking engagements and networking opportunities focused on starting new companies. Learn about start-ups, venture capital, technology commercialization, green ventures, and social media—something for everyone.


Who should attend?
Entrepreneurs have a determination to succeed, initiative and energy, perseverance in the face of challenge, keen observation, confidence, an understanding of the value of money and an ability to thrive on ambiguity. Sound like you? Join us for FREE events open to all UW students, faculty, staff and alumni. Add EntreWeek events to your Google calendar

Sponsored by the University of Washington Foster School of Business Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship, the Science and Engineering Business Association, and UW Center for Commercialization.

No registration is necessary.

Monday, October 31

50 Coffee Meetings! Networking with Marcelo Calbucci (EveryMove.com)
12 - 1:30 PM, Bank of America Executive Education Center, Douglas Forum 4th floor, UW Campus
You never know which coffee meeting, which introduction from a friend, which event you attend will yield your first CTO or first investor. Calbucci is a master (albeit reluctant) networker. Networking, he says, creates good luck for entrepreneurs. This is your chance to learn from the best--and get the most out of your EntreWeek networking.

Traits of Successful Entrepreneurs with Rich Barton (Zillow, Expedia, Benchmark Capital)
5:30 - 7 PM, PACCAR Hall room 291, UW Campus
Barton is a serial entrepreneur who describes his sweet spot as "consumer, internet, fun." He's made it a formula for repeat success. If there's any reason to go to your Halloween party late, it would be for the chance to hear Rich Barton talk about the traits of successful entrepreneurs. Reception with Barton follows.

Tuesday, November 1

Venture Capital Walk to Maveron, Second Avenue Partners, and Madrona
9:30 AM - 2:30 PM, Downtown Seattle
For students only. Meet the partners of three of Seattle's best known venture capital firms and hear them talk about a "typical day," past deals, and the deals they'd love to see. We'll leave plenty of time for Q&A. REGISTRATION IS CLOSED. Selected participants will be notified by noon 10/28.

Buildings: Design for Better Living with David Allen (McKinstry)
4:30 - 6 PM, Bank of America Executive Education Center, Douglas Forum 4th floor, UW Campus
Allen believes that going green is not only good for the environment, but also good for the bottom line. What does "designed for better living" mean for entrepreneurs? More opportunities than you know. Reception with Allen follows.

Wednesday, November 2

From Innovation to Start-up Luncheon
12 - 1:20 PM, Foege Bioengineering Building, N130, UW Campus
Moderator: Terri Butler, UW Center for Commercialization
UW Panelists: Samuel Browd (Children's Hospital), Daniel T. Chiu (chemistry), Rodney Ho (pharmaceutics)

Every technology inventor says the same thing: at some point, you create that one thing that you think could have a real impact. Meet three UW research faculty and graduate students who had that revelation and tool the plunge. Hosted by the UW Center for Commercialization.

Angel Investing with Geoff Entress (Cheezburger, BuddyTV)
4:30 - 6 PM, Location: Law School Room 127
There’s a reason they call them angels. These investors fund 50,000 early-stage companies a year (compared to 1,200 companies funded by VCs). If you'd like to be one of the 50,000 who gets touched by their wings, come meet Entress and two of his fellow angels: Kiki Tidwell (clean tech) and John Cunningham (software). These are people you'll want to know!

Kiki Tidwell is an angel investor, a clean tech investor, and an impact, or triple bottom line,  investor, personally, through her family charitable foundation, and family office. Kiki was angel and impact investing before she knew that these had titles, but formally joined Keiretsu Boise/Sun Valley in early 2008. She also joined Northwest Energy Angels, and eventually served two years on that organization’s board of directors where she was on the membership committee and also initiated and facilitated the addition of an advisory board of top clean vcs and cleantech domain experts. Through her various entities, Kiki has invested over $1 million  in several  startup companies and has served on the board of portfolio company, Innovation Asset Group.

John E. Cunningham, IV has served as director of InfoSpace since July 1998 and as the Chairman of the Board of Directors since January 2011. He also served as Lead Independent Director from February 2010 through December 2010.
Cunningham has been active in the venture community since 1998, and currently serves as a general partner of Clear Fir Partners, L.P., a venture capital investment partnership. Prior to joining Clear Fir Partners, L.P., he served as Chief Executive Officer of RealCom Office Communications Inc., a national telecom services company. Previously, he served as a board member of Citel Technologies, Inc., a telecommuncations company, and also served as its non-executive Chairman.

Thursday, November 3

Start-up Walk #1  McKinstry Innovation Center, Hydrovolts, and General Biodiesel
8 AM - 12 PM, SODO

Start-up Walk #2  Zulily, Epic Seats, and PayScale
8 AM - 1 PM, Pioneer Square

For students only. Meet some of Seattle's hottest start-ups and from their founders how they took the plunge. They’ll share their start-up experiences, from initial idea to funding to how the business strategy has morphed along the way. REGISTRATION IS CLOSED. Selected participants will be notified by noon 10/28.

Friday, November 4

PopCap Games and Lessons Learned with David Roberts
4 - 6 PM, PACCAR Hall, Shansby Auditorium room 192, UW Campus
From humble origins to amazing global success. But the PopCap Games that David Roberts helped launch in 2000 isn't the same company that can now boast 56 games and just got acquired by EA for as much as $1.3B. Roberts will talk about the need to experiment and refocus and change directions along the way. 


Need a reminder? Add EntreWeek events to your Google calendar

CIE Contact: Samantha Ogle at samogle@uw.edu or 206-616-8687.