A Little Background

On a sunny day in late March 2012, Patrick and Aaron hatched the concept that was to evolve into Startup and Play. The idea came about from a conversation over coffee – isn’t that always the case?

We were discussing why startups from Silicon Valley and New York City are particularly adept at successful product launches. In part, startups in these areas get a major boost from the community; people whom are enthusiastic to play with a beta (or alpha) app, provide valuable feedback and promote something new or different.

The Big Idea

Our main goal is to help create a groundswell of support for consumer-facing Triangle startups. We passionately believe that the Triangle community is stronger if we all work together. As such, we want to connect all of the cool, young companies directly with the community at large and with each other. Ultimately, we want to help bridge the Durham-Chapel Hill-Raleigh ecoystems through a collective celebration of entrepreneurship!

Frequently Asked Questions

How often will this event happen?

Every three months in either Raleigh or Durham. We plan to gauge feedback after the event to decide the location.

Can I bring people that didn’t RSVP?

Absolutely! Though we appreciate everyone who takes the time to RSVP so we have a rough headcount.

Do I need to print/bring the Eventbrite ticket?

No, just bring yourself.

Do we wear nametags?

No, it is your job to introduce yourself. We provide the location and some cool companies. It is up to you to take it from there.

Is there an agenda or presentations?

No, we have no agenda. It is what you make of it. The companies are there for you to talk with and socialize about their product. The people are there for you to network with.

How do I showcase my company?

Check out the Apply to Showcase tab or contact us on Twitter.

How do I sponsor the event or get involved helping?

Contact us on Twitter or shoot an email to fun [at] startupandplay.com.

Is it just me or does Aaron look like John Stamos?

This is a known issue, we are currently looking into it and hopefully will have a fix shortly.

What is the story behind the Startup and Play logo?

It was created by a generous user, chandyland, in the subreddit /r/freedesign. You can view her portfolio at chandyland.net and we really appreciate all the help she provided.