Chapman University is hosting Startup Weekend Orange County for budding entrepreneurs November 22 through 23, 2013. This is the fifth Startup Weekend Orange County hosted by Chapman with the three-day event selling out each time.

Startup Weekend is an intense 54 hour event that focuses on building a web or mobile application which could form the basis of a credible business over the course of a weekend. The experience brings together people with different skillsets – primarily software developers, graphics designers and business people – to build applications and develop a commercial case around them.

Participants from all age groups and backgrounds come with ideas for a new product and are “locked in” for 54 hours, in which time they must create teams across such disciplines as designers, engineers, and marketers; formulate a business plan, and create a pitch for their product. Throughout the weekend, coaches and mentors are available to help.

“Participants arrive Friday night and by Sunday evening, they must pitch their idea to venture capitalists and angel investors,” said Richard Sudek, Ph.D., director of Chapman’s Leatherby Center for Entrepreneurship and Business Ethics, and also chairman emeritus Tech Coast Angels. “Participants may walk away with a lead on investment money for their idea, however, more importantly, people will engage in a transformational entrepreneurial process that that is unlike anything they have experienced,” said Sudek who is also a mentor and judge for Startup Weekend Orange County.

The event has exceeded more than 100 participants the previous four times and event organizers expect this event to fill up too.

“I am excited for Startup Weekend to be holding its 5th event here in Orange County,” said Nicole Provansal, event organizer. “The entrepreneurial community in OC is really beginning to thrive and Startup Weekend will only continue to bring the community together.”

Startup Weekend Orange County takes place November 22 – 24, at Chapman University’s Sandhu Conference Center, Orange, CA, 92866. More information can be found by clicking:  http://orangecounty.startupweekend.org/