Salisbury, MD — Aspiring entrepreneurs from across Delmarva and the Mid-Atlantic are invited to take an idea from concept to pitch to MVP during Techstars Startup Weekend Salisbury, a fast-paced, hands-on entrepreneurship experience Oct. 30–Nov. 1, 2026, at Salisbury University’s Guerrieri Academic Commons. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. Friday.
Over 54 hours, participants will form teams, test concepts, develop business models, and work alongside experienced mentors before presenting their work during a final Demo Day. No prior business or technical experience is required — the event is open to anyone 18 or older, including students, working professionals, developers, designers, marketers, and creators.
“Some of the best business ideas start with someone simply recognizing a problem and thinking, ‘There has to be a better way to do this,’” said Bryan Bourdeau, assistant director of the Dave and Patsy Rommel Center for Entrepreneurship at Salisbury University. “Startup Weekend gives people the opportunity to explore those ideas in an environment where they have access to other creative thinkers, experienced mentors and the resources to see what might be possible.”
The weekend follows the global Techstars Startup Weekend model. Friday evening opens with 60-second idea pitches and team formation. Saturday is devoted to customer discovery, business strategy, marketing, financial planning, and prototyping a product or service, guided by mentors and business professionals. On Sunday, teams finalize their concepts and pitch to judges and the community during Demo Day, followed by awards that evening.
“You don’t have to think of yourself as an entrepreneur to belong at Startup Weekend,” said Jenni Pastusak, director of public relations at D3. “You don’t need a tech background or experience starting a business. You don’t have to walk in knowing all the answers. That’s the point.”
Prize packages include business development services and consideration for the Rommel Center Incubation Program. Full-weekend registration is $25 per person and includes meals, snacks, drinks, working materials, mentor access, Wi-Fi, and event materials; a $15 Demo Day-only ticket is also available.
Startup Weekend Salisbury is organized by the Dave and Patsy Rommel Center for Entrepreneurship at Salisbury University, with Salisbury University as the premier sponsor and D3 as the platinum sponsor. The event is part of the global Techstars Startup Weekend community and will be held at the Guerrieri Academic Commons, 1134 S. Salisbury Blvd., Salisbury, Maryland. To learn more or register, visit StartupWeekendSalisbury.com.
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About Techstars Startup Weekend
Techstars Startup Weekend is a three-day, hands-on experience that gives aspiring entrepreneurs the opportunity to experience what it takes to build a business. Participants pitch ideas, form teams, develop and test concepts, receive feedback from mentors, and present their work to a panel of judges.
