Startup Weekend DC — Social Impact
Many thanks to the organizers at Startup Weekend DC for the opportunity to join the group as a mentor.
I had a terrific time speaking with 7 out of the 9 final teams, learning about the various solutions from passionate, motivated individuals who are focusing on a variety of social impact issues.
I heard from teams working on:
- an online event calendar tailored to your interests
- a just-in-time medical dispensary for common medications
- a community focused on conscious consumer e-commerce
- body-positive sex education program
- an apprenticeship program for two years after high school
- a mental health and wellness community and app
- free digital educational tools via recycled devices
Feedback that I think is useful to any endeavor in its initial stages:
- Solve a problem at a small level.
Constrain your problem regionally or topically. Figure out the best method of solving the unique, discrete problem, in an agile way. Then you’re able to expand based on what you’ve learned. Don’t think of fixing an issue for “all of Africa.” → think of fixing an issue for “Nairobi maternity clinics” - Diversify your teams.
The best projects have a big variety of opinions, background, and experience levels — and thus have a better, more well-rounded approach - Put SMART limits so that you achieve more.
For example, instead of e-commerce all the time, consider “pushing” for weekly specials. Instead of coming up with a very broad educational curriculum, consider how to do one really well-done unit on one specific issue, with one really good media or interactive piece. Instead of a continental geographical spread, try a one-city launch, tighten up the process, and then roll it out from there. - Build a model, prototype, or sample product.
Job Amaro created an excellent paper model of their app, using pencil to draw out the different sections — this helped me truly envision and understand the possibilities. Pilot first — you don’t have to create code or build a physical product until you’re sure of what you want to do. - Simplify your exploration period.
Think about a series of pre-launches — develop a one-page with a sign-up box, or create an initial survey or typeform, or build a wireframe — based on the outreach, you will then get more and more data from end users, from which you validate market interest and get closer aligned to where the market is moving.
Congratulations to all the teams! I’d love to keep in touch with you if interested: connect with me at http://linkedin.com/in/monicaflores
An overview of each of the pitches:
Congrats to the organizers, volunteers, teams, judges, sponsors, and partners for Startup Weekend DC! Especially Marta Milkowska and Monica Kang and Steven Rodriguez — thanks for the warm welcome. Great work Geronimo Carlo Ramos.
Keep on making a difference solving the world’s problems.
We need your innovative thinking, your energy, and your desire to make a positive social difference!
#swdcimpact #socent #socinn
