In May 2010, we took part to the Startup Weekend Paris. The project Beansight started during these 54 hours.

If you ever attend to one of these weekends, there are some basic things that could enhance your efficiency. Let us share our experience and give you some advice:

1. Your pitch on Friday evening: focus on the problem you want to solve. The audience should feel that it’s an important issue and that you’ll help many people.
2. Select your teammates: The creation of the teams is incredibly fast! It’s really important to chose the right partners. Competences in your team should be balanced. (Watch out, usually developers are under-represented). 
3. Shut down your computer: the first hours. Don’t rush it. Take your time to think and brainstorm about your project. It’s the best way to solve it and build your long term vision.
4. Chose the name of your startup: don’t waste more than an hour on that. It might not be your final name. You’ll have much more time to rename your startup later on.
5. Gain visibility: communicate as fast as possible on your project. You can use Twitter or Facebook to bound with people from other project. They will be the first to talk about your project and try your service.
6. Collect prospect contacts: a simple landing page with form to drop an e-mail is enough. You’ll be more than happy to have a consumer base when you launch.
7. Seek for mentors’ help: they’re here to help you solve your problems and take the best decisions.
8. Take some breaks: it will enable you to have hindsight on your project and meet the other attendees. (Their opinion matters too)
9. 5 minutes to convince: on Sunday afternoon, you’re going to present your startup to the jury. They will pick the winner. When your slides are ready, take at least 2 hours of your time to prepare and practice your speech. We strongly recommend you to follow Phil Waknell advices on how to perfect your pitch.
10. Have fun! This is the most important part in a Startup Weekend. Enjoy and learn!

Now, you’re all set. Good luck for this incredible experience. 

(post translated from Beansight French Blog)