San Antonio Startup Week Begins with a Bang!
San Antonio is buzzing with excitement as the annual Startup Week kicked off this Monday at the picturesque Centre Club. The energy in the room was palpable, and attendees couldn’t wait to hear from the dynamic speaker, Arlan Hamilton. As the founder and managing partner of Backstage Capital, Hamilton dazzled the crowd with her inspiring journey and shared crucial insights on fostering a more inclusive entrepreneurial landscape.
A Uplifting Keynote Address
Hamilton’s keynote address was the perfect start to the day’s events. She spoke candidly about her personal experiences, including her rise from homelessness to successfully managing a multi-million-dollar investment fund. Her focus on supporting underrepresented founders — especially women, people of color, and those from LGBTQ+ communities — resonated deeply with the audience.
“There’s so much work left to do, but together we can make a difference,” Hamilton declared, urging everyone to invest not just financially, but also through mentorship and support.
What is Startup Week All About?
According to Charles Woodin, the CEO of Geekdom and managing partner of San Antonio Startup Week, the event’s theme this year is “Invest In …” Each day is dedicated to exploring a different facet of investment opportunities that can help uplift communities in San Antonio. He mentioned, “We’re focusing on various groups that deserve investment, which shows the rich diversity of our entrepreneurial spirit.”
Day One Highlights
After Hamilton’s electrifying talk, she took a moment to connect with the crowd, signing copies of her books, “It’s About Damn Time” and “Your First Million”. Audience members were eager to have a moment with Hamilton, knowing her story of overcoming obstacles can inspire so many to pursue their dreams.
The kickoff day also featured casual networking opportunities. Attendees mingled, exchanging ideas and initiating conversations. It’s the kind of atmosphere that startup dreams are made of!
Exciting Events to Come
There’s so much more to look forward to this week. Throughout the event, local entrepreneurs will have a chance to shine in **pitch competitions**, where they can vie for investments ranging from $10,000 to $35,000. A new feature called “Pitch It to Win It” allows participants to pitch their ideas to the event’s social media team for a shot at a $1,000 prize.
Each day dives into different aspects of the overarching theme. For example, Tuesday focuses on LatinX entrepreneurs, featuring Juan Carlos Leaño del Castillo discussing the importance of cross-border collaboration.
Wednesday brings the spotlight on women entrepreneurs. Cristal Glangchai, a prominent scientist and founder of VentureLab, will inspire attendees with her focus on empowering girls and women in STEM and entrepreneurship.
As the week unfolds, innovation will take center stage on Thursday with a talk by Dustin Williams from Google, who will explore the journey of artificial intelligence in startups.
The week concludes on Friday with a discussion on investing in San Antonio, featuring Peter J. Holt, the chairman and CEO of Holt Cat, who will share insights on the local business landscape.
Conclusion
San Antonio Startup Week is off to a fantastic start, fostering a spirit of collaboration, inspiration, and innovation. It’s a thrilling time for entrepreneurs and aspiring business owners alike, as they soak up knowledge and make valuable connections that could propel their journeys forward. Keep an eye out, because something exciting is happening in this vibrant city!
