More than £50m has been invested in Plymouth’s cultural sector by outside funders in the past five years. It currently employs more than 1,500 people, with an estimated 600 indirect jobs supported by it. The industry also accounts for nearly £70m of economic output per year, with a vast 365 businesses in Plymouth classed as arts, entertainment and recreation. 

Organised by the University of Plymouth, as part of the iMayflower project, and part of the globally renowned Techstars Startup Weekend movement, this year’s digital event is focused on finding the bold and innovative ideas that will make Plymouth a prime cultural destination of 2022 - supporting the flourishing entrepreneurial community in the city at the same time. Over three days, teams of ambitious minds will be challenged to solve problems and forge creative ideas to protect the arts, live music events and iconic attractions for future years.

Whilst coming up with world-beating solutions inspired attendees will have the opportunity to work with expert mentors within the Plymouth business community each specialising in an important facet of business. The main event will be a collaborative challenge whereby teams will work together on a business idea including creative brainstorming, gathering advice from industry mentors, customer validation workshops and business canvas development. The final day of the event will incorporate a pitching workshop, mentor meetings and a competitive final pitch-off where teams will compete for the winning prize.

Open to all, Plymouth Startup Weekend Online is for anyone who has a great idea and wants to understand more about turning a concept into reality. Through collaborating with partners and experts from a range of business backgrounds, organisers were determined to bring on board a diverse group of people across the South West. The mentors, judging panel and speakers represent different people, professions, sectors and crafts - with judges ranging from communications experts to community regeneration experts.

This next online edition is being supported by video streaming company First Sight Media, who managed the logistics of the previous weekend, along with Prize sponsors Devon Chambers of Commerce and Real Ideas Organisation. 

Emily Barrett, Knowledge Exchange Officer at the University of Plymouth, and lead organiser of Plymouth Startup Weekend, said: “Like most people, the past year has proven to me that I value the vibrant culture we have in Plymouth more than I can put into words. A year of not being able to go to a gig, an art show or an event is enough to do that. It is because of this collective shared experience and the incredible foundation for culture we have in Plymouth, that choosing Culture and Tourism as our theme for our April Startup weekend was an utter no-brainer. What could be a more relevant and important problem to solve?

“These events are really special, last year’s Startup Weekend was a complete success, despite the new digital format. So, my team and I really can’t wait to get back into that ‘room’ and hear all of the buzz. We want ideas, creativity and challenges thick and fast. It is only through helping each other and sharing ideas that we will re enter our city and experience the vibrancy we all know and love.”

Hannah Harris, CEO of Plymouth Culture, said: "Plymouth is uniquely positioned to grow dramatically as a cultural and tourist destination over the course of the next decade thanks to several years of significant investment, development and hard work in the sector.

 "As our ten year Culture Plan demonstrates - culture can be the engine that drives Plymouth’s economy. We see the cultural and creative sector interwoven with business and enterprise, which is why there couldn’t be a better time to focus this year’s Plymouth Startup Weekend on Culture and Tourism as we emerge from the Covid-19 pandemic.

“We are very much looking forward to seeing the entrepreneurial talent on show that this fantastic event invariably produces and would like to wish everyone taking part the best of luck.”