On April 27, some of the best and brightest will come together to compete in the most epic competition North America has ever seen. Combining the energy of a hackathon and the magic of a road trip, we bring you– the ultimate adventure on wheels.
In our eleventh year, @TheStartupBus will depart from New York City and compete with buses from seven other regions to create the most innovative business concepts.
This year, the New York bus will be the first-ever StartupBus exclusively for women⁺ and gender non-conforming folks. Better yet, we’re making HERSTORY by pushing our riders to leverage the power of blockchain technology.
You’ve probably heard about blockchain most recently in conversations about Bitcoin and cryptocurrency. But blockchain is more than just a technology that enables digital currency.
Blockchain is an emerging technology that essentially acts as an incorruptible decentralized ledger of transactions that can be programmed to record anything of value. This ensures security through transparency, establishing trust between all parties involved. From financial inclusion to supply chain, to land rights, agriculture, sustainable energy, and governance, blockchain has the potential to disrupt and revolutionize every industry!
We’re carefully selecting women⁺ riders who have a deep understanding of issues in their communities, a profound sense of responsibility to contribute to society, and the entrepreneurial tenacity to bring their visions of a better world to life.
Knowledge about blockchain is a plus, but not required. Riders will engage in an educational workshop about the technical and practical value of blockchain (hosted by program sponsor IBM).
Blockchain is rapidly transforming the world, but women are severely underrepresented in the space, comprising only 4 to 6 percent of blockchain investors. In January, the North American Bitcoin Conference featured 84 men speakers and only three women.
“There are some incredibly talented and successful women in the Blockchain community already doing amazing things. However, at most industry events you still a more male dominated environment. In fact, a recent survey revealed that women make up just 1.76% of the blockchain community. Blockchain is one of the most disruptive technologies we have ever experienced, so we want to encourage more women to get involved and lead the way in shaping its future.” -Daria Arefieva, CEO of CryptoFriends
Indeed, the early days matter most in shaping the direction of new technologies, and this is why we are passionate about empowering women in blockchain right now. We’ll be providing our women riders with the ideal environment and the right tools to help them develop the confidence, negotiation skills, and communication tactics needed to reach their full potential– on the bus and beyond.
Once everyone During the 72 hours on the bus, our women⁺ riders will form teams, and have the unique opportunity to conceive, build, and launch a fully-functional product ready to be pitched to investors.arrives in New Orleans, the collaborative turns competitive as riders participate in a multi-round pitch competition.
The ride from New York City to New Orleans will be a challenging adventure. Like every entrepreneur’s journey, there’ll be surprises and stops along the way. You’ll push yourself beyond your limits and change your perspectives of what is possible. We promise you, it will all be worth it. You’ll make lifelong friends, meet potential business partners, and have the experience of a lifetime!
So what are you waiting for? Apply Now for the chance to make HERSTORY and see if you have what it takes to put the pedal to the metal.
See you on the other side!
P.S. Not interested in a women⁺-only or blockchain-only bus? There will be a second New York bus, too!
NY
Conductor 2019
WB
Producer 2018
