If you don’t walk away from West Slope Startup Week with a list of new connections, pages of notes, and at least one actionable next step, you’re doing something wrong. Seriously, this event offers so much value to entrepreneurs, it’s pretty much a guarantee* that it will impact you in a meaningful way.
But what about the impact you can make at West Slope Startup Week?
After all, this event celebrates the collective power of rural entrepreneurship! Here’s how an impact mindset can help you get the most out of West Slope Startup Week.
*Not an actual guarantee in the legal sense of the word… more like a figure of speech. But seriously, it’s a lot of fun and you’ll get a ton of value from attending!
1. Ask “how can I support a fellow entrepreneur?”
Even a total entrepre-NOOB has something to offer. While you might not know what that is just yet, approach this week with the goal to contribute. Think: Who can I help? How can I get involved? Where are my skills needed? You will meet so many different people at this event and you never know what opportunities will arise when you lean in.
For the more experienced attendees, look for opportunities to support a fellow founder or business support organization. The #givefirst ethos is a powerful tool for building vibrant startup ecosystems!
2. Support our sustainability efforts
We take our role as event organizers seriously. That means ensuring a high quality experience for attendees as well as the local community and environment. You can help us make WSSW a truly eco-responsible experience by reducing unnecessary waste like plastic water bottles and coffee cups, recycling and composting your waste, and joining us for Meat-Free Monday. And, because it’s so important, reduce your CO2 emissions by carpooling:
3. Hitch a ride
Did you know that WSSW attracts entrepreneurs from across the state? Actually, we get folks driving from across the Four Corners Region to attend! While the power of West Slope Startup Week comes from its role as a connector and cultural hub, we’re hyper-aware of the environmental impact associated with convening so many people in-person. Transportation is typically the largest contributor to any event’s carbon footprint.
You can help by sharing a ride to this year’s WSSW. Whether you’re coming in for the day from one of our neighboring communities or trekking across the state, we encourage you to buddy up. Our carpooling program, in partnership with TreadShare, connects drivers to riders so you can save on gas and CO2 emissions. Sign up here.
4. Actually attend the networking events
Networking is such an icky word. Who wants to loiter around a conference room hoping someone will come talk to you? Not us! That’s why we’ve intentionally designed our networking sessions to actually help you make new, meaningful connections. Want to go for a mountain bike ride? We got you covered. Want to learn how to network as your authentic self? Check! Want to get competitive? Join us for trivia night and dinner at Outside City Limits.
5. Share your WSSW plans!
The West Slope Startup Week experience starts BEFORE the event begins. Let your network know that you’ll be attending and project what you hope to give (and get) into the universe. We encourage you to shout your goals out on social media, as well as the official event app (Whova) where you can start connecting with other attendees right away.
