The seventh iteration of DC Startup Week (DCSW) kicks off later this month, featuring tons of sessions on how to thrive as a founder on the DC startup scene.
The event, which will be held Sept. 12 through 16, includes founder talks, fireside chats, panels on leveling up your startup and networking meetups. This year, which is the first IRL DCSW since 2019, features five tracks: early-stage founder, growth stage, service-based, social impact and a new Web3 track covering blockchain, crypto, NFTs and the future of the internet. Select sessions will also be held virtually.
The session you attend will most likely be determined by the tracks you’re interested in and what’s most relevant for the current state of your startup. But we’ve gone ahead and put together a list of what we think are some of the coolest, must-attend DCSW sessions for you to peruse.
Here’s what we’ll be checking out, with the dates and timeframes as they stand:
- Founder Talk: Going from Web 2.0 to Web 3.0: Challenges, Success & Lessons Learned (Monday, Sept. 12, 1:30-2:15 p.m.): This session covers what you need to know about Web3, and how to bring your startup into the newest internet iteration.
- Pitfalls to Avoid as a Nontechnical Founder (Tuesday, Sept. 13, 1:50-2:30 p.m.): Learn what not to do when you’re on the non-tech side of founding a company.
- Burnout Preparedness Training for Leaders (Wednesday, Sept. 14, 11-11:45 a.m.): This session offers some insight into how to help your employees have the work/life balance they need to help your startup succeed.
- Block it like it’s hot… Affordable Security Tips for your Startup (Thursday, Sept 15, 4-4:45 p.m.): In 2022, cyber is more than crucial for startups, and this session will provide tips on how to protect company and employee data (and no, we didn’t just pick this because we appreciate a good pun).
- Beyond Silicon Valley: The Impact Startups Have Here In DC (Friday, Sept 16, 3:30-4 p.m.): Hear from Rise of the Rest founder Steve Case on what startups mean to DC in the event’s keynote session.
And, in case you can’t get enough of the Technical.ly team, here are some sessions we’ll be hosting:
- Fireside Chat With Jennifer Taylor, CEO of NVTC (Tuesday, Sept. 13, 11:10-11:40 a.m.): A sit-down with one of the biggest ecosystem builders in NoVa, who will speak with Technical.ly DC editor Sameer Rao.
- Fundraising Journey from Family & Friends to Raising a Formal Round (Wednesday, Sept. 14, 3:40-4:20 p.m.): A session on the early, early stages of funding, moderated by none other than yours truly.
