Startup Riot FAQ

Attendance Policies

Who can attend?

Startup Riot is open to all investors (institutional and corporate VCs and angels), entrepreneurs, individuals looking for startup jobs, and large companies looking for partnerships and/or M&A opportunities.

Who can't attend?

If you provide services to startups (attorneys, benefits, legal, etc.) you are NOT permitted to attend unless you are a part of a Startup Riot sponsoring organization. Individuals who have started service firms are included in this group of disallowed attendees. Finally, individuals who run pay-to-pitch organizations are absolutely NOT permitted to attend.

We are also not allowing anyone who works in a service industry but claims to be coming "on their own". We had a bad experience last time and we aren't doing that again.

Oh also, if you snuck into the event and either didn't pay (and still refuse to pay) the registration fee or if you paid less than you should have (by way of deceit), you will be refused access from here on out. You know who you are.

Why should I attend?

There is no other event where you'll have the opportunity to hear 3 minute pitches from 70 companies (or fewer) in a day. There just isn't. If you really need convincing that you should go, read what these people had to say about Startup Riot 2008: David Cummings, Michael Mealling, Wei Yang, Mathew Sweezey, Ashish Mistry, Lance Weatherby, Paul Freet, Joe Uhl, Loren Norman, Dan Greenfield, and Paul Stamatiou.

Presenting Policies

Are you only accepting Internet startups for presentations?

Absolutely not. Last time we had a variety of companies although most were high technology/Internet related. A number of the non-Internet companies which presented got hooked up with good connections after their pitches.

If I apply to present do I automatically get a slot?

For the first Startup Riot, we ran under the theory that everyone who applied could present. That didn't work. WAY too many applications for the limited number of slots. We've expanded the number of slots this year (to 70 from 55) but there will likely still be fewer slots than companies wanting to present. Given that there is a process to apply and be selected.

What is the process to be selected to present?

First, you need to apply to present. Second, we'll review your application to make sure you're a good fit for the event. If so, we'll invite you to present, in person, at one of our screening days (dates and times to be determined). As we screen the companies we'll start determining who the strongest candidates are and let those folks know and start slotting them for February. Companies that apply early are going to have an advantage over companies that apply later in the process. There will be seventy or fewer presentation slots for Startup Riot 2009 so be aware that competition will be high for the slots.

What if I can't make it to the screening session in person?

If you're local, you're out of luck. If you are truly committed to starting a company and are in Atlanta, you should be able to figure out how to make it to the screening event.

If you aren't local, let us know if you can't come in person when we contact you for the screening scheduling and we'll try to work with you. We make no promises or guarantees but we'll give everyone the opportunity to make their case in order to secure a presentation slot.

What are the requirements for the presentation?

There are two requirements. First, your presentation should be three minutes or less. On the day of the event, if you run over we will come up on stage and make you stop. That didn't happen at all last year so we're really itching to get to push someone off stage. Don't let that someone be you.

Second, you are allowed only four slides. The first slide should clearly identify the presenter's name and the name of the company. No other information is required for the first slide. You can put additional information but you can not use the first slide to convey information about your product or service. Of the remaining three slides, you are welcome to use them as you wish. We suggest that you heavily focus on your products/service since you only have three minutes to convey information to the audience.

When presenting your slides you may only go straight through the slides - you are not allowed to skip back and forth through the slides in an attempt to get more visuals for your talk. If you do that at the event you will be promptly removed from the stage. We're not kidding.

Can I update my slides after I get selected?

Absolutely yes. We recognize that you may be applying to present at Startup Riot many months before the actual event. In light of that the application only requires your initial slides that you'll use at the live screening. If you're selected to present at Startup Riot, you'll have the opportunity to submit final slides a few weeks before the big day.

What does it cost to present?

Nothing. Nada. Zip. Zilch. We will never charge entrepreneurs a fee if they are selected to present at Startup Riot. All presenting entrepreneurs will get at least one free pass to the event. In 2008, we gave all presenting entrepreneurs two free passes but we suspect demand for the event will outstrip available seats so for now, we're only committing to one free ticket per presenting company.

Will the event be broadcast live or taped?

Just like last time, we are going to videotape all presenters and give them access to the resulting footage as well as put the videos online. This year though, you'll have no choice in having your video go online. If you present, it will get put online. If you aren't comfortable with that, then don't apply to present.

Also, audience members will be free to videocast the event live throughout the day. Again, if you aren't comfortable with that then don't apply to attend. This event is about increasing the awareness in the presenting companies and additional viewers who can't make the event is a good thing for everyone.

Sponsorship

How can I sponsor Startup Riot?

We're glad that you think Startup Riot is an event worthy of your sponsorship! We've had a great amount of interest in the event and would love to talk to you about the benefits of being a part of this event. But note, we reserve the right to reject any potential sponsor if we feel that our beliefs about entrepreneurship are not shared or reflected by your organization. We would much rather hold Startup Riot and lose money than have the wrong sponsors involved.

You should know that all of the main local sponsors from Startup Riot 2008 are returning to sponsor this event in 2009. Please contact us and we can talk about possible sponsorship opportunities.