It’s unlikely that many people know more about tech startups than Dave McClure, so the well-known Silicon Valley angel investor is sure to have an attentive audience as he kicks off this year’s Denver Startup Week.
McClure, who is the founder of the 500 Startups seed fund and accelerator, will speak Sept. 15 and is the headliner of the Denver Startup Week kickoff breakfast.
Denver Startup Week runs from Sept. 15-20 and is a “celebration of everything entrepreneurial in Denver,” according to organizers. Its goal is to build a sense of community among Denver’s entrepreneurs, promote the city as a place to launch a business, and to help provide educational and networking opportunities.
The free event features speeches, panels, workshops, job fairs, and social events such as happy hours. Many of the events are hosted by Denver’s leading tech companies. Organizers estimate that last year more than 5,500 visitors and more than 650 companies participated in more than 125 events held during the week.
Past kickoffs and keynote events have packed their venues, and that’s true once again this year. The kickoff, to be held at the Seawell Grand Ballroom in the Denver Center for the Performing Arts, is the week’s hottest ticket, and there’s already a waitlist for spots.
There are dozens of other startup week events, broken down into tech, design, manufacturing, and business.
This year’s startup week also will feature the return of “Startup Basecamp,” a central hub for information and events. The basecamp will be at 1515 Arapahoe St., on the 16th Street Mall.
Like last year, Chase will sponsor the basecamp. In addition to Denver, the bank also announced Thursday it will work with UP Global to sponsor and promote other startup weeks across the country.
Along with the companies that host events and provide speakers, Denver Startup Week is organized with the help of the Colorado Technology Association and the Downtown Denver Partnership.
