Episode 18 - Pitch It to Win It: Celebrating Innovation at San Antonio Startup Week

Introduction:In this exciting episode of “The Boost Podcast”, hosts Leon and Pablo sit down with  Nick Honegger , Director of Marketing and Sales at Geekdom, to recap San Antonio Startup Week. The conversation covers highlights, takeaways, and the unique startup culture in San Antonio.Hosts:Pablo Calvo: LinkedinLeon Hitchens: Linkedin & XGuest:Nick Honegger: LinkedInFind Us:YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheBoostChannelWebsite: https://theboost.fm Episode Highlights:San Antonio Startup Week: Nick shares insights into San Antonio Startup Week’s explosive success, breaking attendance records and emphasizing the potential of San Antonio as a startup hub. The event focused on community, investment, and support for local entrepreneurs."Invest in San Antonio" ThemeWith a spotlight on funding opportunities within the city, the event encouraged entrepreneurs to consider San Antonio as a viable location for business growth. Key events included themes like diversity, Latinx, and innovation.Pitch It to Win It: A new initiative where daily winners were awarded $1,000 for their best elevator pitches. The winning pitches were selected through audience engagement and finalized by a panel of judges. This fun competition helped promote community support for local businesses.Funding Opportunities and the "Valley of Death”Nick discusses a common hurdle for startups known as the "Valley of Death"—the challenging period between early-stage funding and larger investment rounds. San Antonio is working to address this gap, especially for startups needing mid-range funding.The Importance of Community and Mentorship:Throughout the episode, Nick underscores the importance of community connections and Geekdom’s support network, which helps founders navigate the unique challenges of entrepreneurship. Geekdom mentors provide startups with valuable resources, advice, and networking opportunities.Key Takeaways:Diverse Startup Community: Geekdom’s emphasis on inclusivity brought together startups from Latin America, women-led ventures, and tech innovators, among others.Valuable Connections: Events throughout the week connected founders with local mentors, industry players like H-E-B, and a supportive community willing to share insights and resources.Investment Growth: With almost $200,000 in funding distributed during the week, the event highlighted San Antonio as an emerging hub for startup investment.Summary:In this special episode, hosts Leon and Pablo welcome  Nick Honegger , Director of Marketing at Geekdom, to discuss San Antonio Startup Week. Nick shares key insights from this exciting week filled with innovative pitches, networking events, and resources designed to empower local entrepreneurs. The conversation covers community highlights, successful pitches, and Geekdom’s ongoing efforts to drive investment in the San Antonio startup scene.