Business Builders Bash 2025
Your biggest adventure awaits! Build a team to propel your business dreams. April 4-6 Business Builders Bash powered by Weekend Ventures.
Date and time
Location
425 W Magnolia Ave
425 West Magnolia Avenue Auburn, AL 36832Refund Policy
Agenda
5:00 PM - 5:30 PM
Check-In & Networking
5:30 PM - 6:30 PM
Dinner & Speakers
6:30 PM - 6:45 PM
1-minute Pitches
6:45 PM - 7:00 PM
Idea Voting
7:00 PM - 7:20 PM
Form Teams
7:20 PM - 8:00 PM
Transition Rooms
Start Building
About this event
- Event lasts 2 days 3 hours
Dive into entrepreneurship at the Business Builders Bash, powered by the innovative curriculum and style of Weekend Ventures and hosted by The Lowder Center for Family Business and Entrepreneurship.
No business skills? No big deal.
No business idea? Not a problem.
Come as you are, you wonderful, beautiful nerd. Let's be weird and save the world together.
Here's what you will need:
- an open mind & willingness to learn
- self awareness & emotional intelligence
- "can-do, nothing will stop us" mentality
- courage to step up and get the job done
- generosity of spirit to share your skills, knowledge, and know-how
Already have a business idea?
Great!! Build a team to power your business dream!
Business Builders Bash is meant to bring ideas to life through teamwork, creativity and ingenuity. That amazing idea that's been hiding in your sketchbook? Time to let the world see it =)
This is your sign to take action. Our team of experienced entrepreneurs and mentors will help you get your ideas off the ground and into the real world. Don't worry; our coaches and facilitators will support you every step of the way by providing training and hands-on support.
No matter your skill set—be it business acumen, design prowess, coding, computer science or engineering or anything in between—your contributions will be valued . Come with an open mind, a team-player attitude, and get ready to dive into an adventure where your ideas could evolve into a startup reality.
The weekend will be led by Katherine Zobre from The Founders Playground, utilizing the Weekend Ventures curriculum. You'll immerse yourself in the essentials of launching a business from scratch. You'll figure out business models, create prototypes, validate your market, and pitch—all in a team setting that's both friendly and empowering. It's the perfect playground for college students and community members eager to transform passion into action and explore the thrill of entrepreneurship.
Are you a student?
Sign up with your student email & use promo code: STUDENTDISCOUNT for $20 off!
Participation Agreement:
At the Business Builders Bash, we're dedicated to providing a phenomenal learning opportunity. Our goal is for you to connect with incredible people, potentially kickstart a venture together, and gain insights from both coaches and peers. The weekend is a collective experiment in sharing, learning, building, and, most importantly, having fun.
By joining, you agree to contribute to a culture of inclusivity, respect, and professionalism. You're responsible for your actions, and you pledge to treat people, ideas, and the venue with care. Any ideas shared over the weekend should be considered part of the community's collective wisdom, enhancing the event's value for everyone. Of course, if you have intellectual property concerns, you are welcome to keep the "secret sauce" private while pitching and working on ideas in broad strokes.
Your participation also means you're okay with us capturing the magic through photos and videos, which helps share our collective story. You agree that you are responsible in the event of any accidents or damages that you cause. You also agree not to hold Auburn University, your local volunteer team, or any of the event supporters liable for any loss, damage, injury, or any other unforeseeable incident.
By securing your ticket, you accept these terms and our commitment to a safe, open, and respectful environment. Should you have any questions or need a reimbursement, just reach out.
Get ready to be a part of something truly special. Join us at the Business Builders Bash, where your entrepreneurial journey takes a bold leap forward.
Frequently asked questions
Powered by Weekend Ventures, Business Builders Bash is where passion and creativity meet. It's a journey of innovation, laughter, and discovery. We cherish ideas, embrace questions, and celebrate adventure. Build the future with us.
All participants will receive a swag bag, meals for the whole weekend, and a t-shirt. Winning teams will be eligible for any prize funds and awarded a trophy, and co-working space at the New Venture Accelerator to further develop their business ideas.
On Friday, anyone who has a business idea will have 60 seconds to verbally pitch their idea (no visual aids). Audience members will vote on their favorite business ideas. The top ideas will be filtered by the facilitator and will be developed over the weekend, with final pitches on Sunday evening.
Nope =) No business idea is required to participate. In fact, it may be even more fun if you come in with an open mind!
After voting, teams are formed. Some teams will have specific needs such as a tech person whereas others will just need extra hands. No worries if your idea doesn't make the cut, everyone (whether they did a 1-min pitch or not) will have a team to work with over the weekend.
The goal of the event is to practice idea iteration, team development, and customer discovery. You'll get the most out of the event if you start with fresh ideas, therefore you shouldn't work on an existing business where you've already completed a significant amount of work.
It's essential for you to participate in the Friday evening kickoff to learn about the weekend festivities and to join a team. From there, you should be an active team member throughout the weekend, but you can let your teammates know if there is a particular time when you can't help out.
There's no dress code, wear whatever you're most comfortable in.
The event is taking place in the BEST room (1st floor) of Horton-Hardgrave Hall. Normally, there's ample parking behind the building, and in an adjacent lot. With the event happening primarily outside of business hours, a parking pass shouldn't be necessary.