From Friday 20th to Sunday 22nd November Wales sees the return of most successful business competition, Startup Weekend Swansea.

Launched in 2013, the two previous years have seen a total of 18 teams formed, with nine continuing to trade, well above the average Startup Weekend continuation rate of 35%.

All Startup Weekend events follow the same model: anyone is welcome to pitch their startup idea and receive feedback from their peers. Teams form around the top ideas and then it’s a 54 hour frenzy of business model creation, coding, designing and market validation.

The weekend culminates with presentations in front of entrepreneurial leaders. This year’s judging panel is made up of top Welsh business leaders Debra Williams, former MD of Confused.com, David Hieatt, co-founder of Huit Denim and Anna Bastek, director of Wolfestone translation.

Adam Curtis, lead organiser of Startup Weekend Swansea and owner of software company Clockwork Bear, explains:

“Being part of Startup Weekend Swansea is fantastic. This year is looking to be even better than previous years, with some amazing judges and mentors onboard.

Startup Weekends are a great event for freelance developers and designers who are looking to work with entrepreneurs on exciting projects.”

Sue Poole, Enterprise Education Manager at Gower College Swansea said:

“I can’t wait to see what businesses are created at this year’s event. Every year the quality of the business ideas get better and better. This event helps put Swansea on the global start-up map.”

The benefit of taking part in Startup Weekend goes beyond the three days; Adlet, formed during the first Startup Weekend Swansea, won a global competition and received travel to Atlanta and mentoring from executives at Coca-Cola and last year’s winning business, Skippr, has since raised seed funding.

Further information and tickets are available from here.