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I'm an experienced web developer, but somewhat new to the startup world. I've consulted for some tech startups in the past, and of course started the Drupal shop where I currently work.

I recently signed up for a local Startup Weekend event, and was wondering if anyone had any tips for getting the most out of it.

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Even if you have a weak idea, pitch it. It's a great exercise and will help people to recognise you later.

Stay away from projects that have already started. Somebody is looking at startup weekends as a way to get "cheap workforce for a weekend".

Don't look for interesting projects, look for interesting people. Interesting ideas are everywhere, and will just die after the weekend if nobody works on them. Interesting people are precious during and after the weekend.

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Great answer - I have just attended a Startup Weekend and would concur. Make sure you interact with as many people as possible and swap contact details. And make good use of the mentors that are there. – JohnTESlade Dec 10 '11 at 18:50
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Definitely come prepared with a few ideas in mind. Jot little details about each one so you can be prepared to elaborate on a certain project.

Be optimistic and be ready to give advice and suggestions to others. At the same time, tear down their ideas and look for the weak points in order to help make the project stronger.

It is because of people like Franky B that about a quarter of the meet-ups that I have gone to have been a complete disaster. Come with a variety of great ideas, if you are very fond or involved with one, maybe keep that to yourself.

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So hard to choose between your answer and Filippo's. I wish I could have accepted two! – HedgeMage Nov 5 '10 at 20:53
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I personally would be quiet about any good ideas i might have of my own. Id use the event to make friends, get introduced to new people. I would also see it as a good event to "Borrow" some good ideas for future projects.

I tend to think more as a money hungry entrepenuer these days and less as a web developer. I learned a while ago that developers are a dime a dozen, a nickel a dozen if you offshore. The important value is building a business.

Take the best idea, and hook up with some developers that have no intention of ever owning their own business and build a product by yourselves, market it, and make some $$$.

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If you keep your good ideas to yourself then no one will have any reason to join you... – TimJ♦ Nov 4 '10 at 4:41
I think what you mean to say is if EVERYONE kept good ideas to themselves then no one will have any reason to join you. Its a matter of personality and leadership. You could convince people to join you to build your or someone elese good idea. There is no reason to share your good idea. Keep in mind, guys like me who are well capitalized and do this for a sport and living do attend these places. – Frank Nov 4 '10 at 16:01
@FrankyB - So you are perfectly happy to "borrow" other people's ideas and use developers for your business but you won't go there to actually work on your good ideas? I hope you are up front with your developers that you see them as "a dime a dozen". – TimJ♦ Nov 4 '10 at 17:45
I too work as a developer, and there is a firm difference between a developer and an entrepenuer. Most developers are not business minded, some lack vision, and some have no interest in ever doing more than working for someone else. I treat my guys very well, with bonuses and incentives, but the harsh reality is that countries such as Ukraine, India, and Pakistan and creating highly educated developers willing to work for lower wages. In my organization we work toward common goals, and I do what I can do to share the success, but the reality is that weight must be pulled and dead weight is – Frank Nov 4 '10 at 19:53
quickly replaced. I have attended two of these startup meetups, one for web apps and one for mobile. Both times the ideas were not that impressive or worth working on. I met a few good folks, but other than that found it to be a waste of time. You dont need to go to one of these to get a good idea, my advice is to take an existing idea like FreshBooks.com and rebuild it, add additional features and compete. But the user is going to the event, so thats what I recommend. – Frank Nov 4 '10 at 19:54
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