Behind the Scenes of Missouri Startup Weekend 2025
Kiley Grimes • 2025-01-23
Get the inside scoop on all things MOSW 2025
Missouri Startup Weekend, a three-day pitch competition and business development event, will take place April 11-13, 2025, at the EquipmentShare headquarters in Columbia, MO. Startup Weekend has long been a successful launchpad for new startups, with new features coming in 2025.
This year, everything feels elevated—two tracks to meet the needs of both new ideas and established startups, curated mentorships offering more in-depth guidance, enhanced first-round voting to find the best of the best ideas, and gourmet meals served in an atmosphere designed for builders. Needless to say, we’re making sure it’s the kind of event where all builders feel welcome.
What most attendees don’t see is the effort behind the curtain. Brett Calhoun and Maria Heyen of Redbud VC have spent months turning feedback and ideas into reality. From enhancing mentorship sessions and workshops to improving merch, voting, prizes, and hosting unforgettable pre- and post-event parties, this is behind the scenes of how MOSW 2025 is being reimagined.
What’s New and Exciting in 2025
When Brett and Maria began planning this year’s event, they had one primary goal: to bring together top talent under one roof and elevate the experience for every participant. They started by rethinking the participant experience.
The Classic Track builds on the foundation of the MOSW we all know and love, catering to aspiring entrepreneurs with fresh ideas. For those already in the thick of building a company, the Sprint Track offers a unique opportunity to supercharge progress.
“Historically, Startup Weekend has been for aspiring entrepreneurs or new ideas, leaving it hard for current builders to participate unless they were to join a team or pitch an idea for fun,” Brett Calhoun explains. “That said, people love Startup Weekend for the balance of hustle, passion, and fun. Therefore, we took the feedback we’ve collected over the last four years to launch a track for early-stage companies.”
The Sprint Track gives these early-stage companies a chance to immerse themselves in the high-energy atmosphere of Startup Weekend while sprinting with their core team. “Startups feel like a lifelong sprint, but whether you have a distributed team, want a change of scenery, or a new perspective, the Sprint Track gives teams a reason to get together and check off items on their roadmap that might otherwise take weeks,” Brett adds.
In addition to the tracks, this year introduces enhancements designed to deepen the experience for every participant. One of the most impactful changes is the extension of mentorship sessions to four hours, giving teams richer, more actionable guidance.
“We’re bringing in some excellent new and returning mentors and judges to work with the companies,” says Maria Heyen, who has been instrumental in shaping the participant experience. “Last year, we saw just how impactful mentorship was. Participants gave us so much feedback on how valuable those sessions were, so we’re extending that time to provide even more opportunities for insight and direction.”
Beyond the programming, Maria’s passion project - the launch of this year’s swag store - adds a new layer of excitement.
“The participant swag bags are loved by all, and we wanted the opportunity for everyone to have access,” Maria explained. “There’s quite a variety of items this year: t-shirts, comfort colors shirts, full-zip sweatshirts, tote bags, hoodies, and more. I love seeing past participants rocking their merch around Columbia, it’s such a proud moment for me, and I can’t wait to see even more Startup Weekend representation throughout Missouri.”
The Logistics
Behind every detail of MOSW is a team driven by their love for supporting entrepreneurs. Brett, who is focused on partnerships and strategy, says,
“Startup Weekend is the best entrepreneurial event in Missouri, not because we’re good at event planning but because of the people who come together. There are so many promising entrepreneurs in every town or city who unite with a mission to build a company.”
For Maria, the magic lies in blending tradition with innovation.
“MOSW has been a mainstay in Columbia for over 13 years, and I take a lot of pride in continuing this tradition that so many members of the COMO community started,” she shares. “It’s equally exciting and challenging to think of new ways to bring excitement to a legacy event.” That constant iteration is what makes MOSW stand out. “This year’s version is built on the hard work of all 13 years prior,” Maria explains. “We spend so much time reviewing participant feedback, working with sponsors, and brainstorming ways to keep the community obsessed and engaged.”
The sponsors for Startup Weekend share the same passion. EquipmentShare opens its headquarters, offering participants a one-of-a-kind setting complete with gourmet meals crafted by their head chef, Craig, and his culinary team. Veterans United contributes its marketing and events expertise, while the Arcade District provides unique spaces that infuse creativity into the weekend, and Aviron sponsors $15K in MVP development for the 1st place winner.
“It’s rare to find an event with this caliber of support and talent outside of San Francisco or New York,” Maria adds. “We’re bringing unicorn founders, multistage investors, and operators to Missouri, and that makes all the difference.”
For Brett, the payoff comes when the event finally comes to life.
“I love seeing people from all over come together, learn from each other, and build relationships on the foundation of hustling together for a weekend,” he says. “It’s fun to watch so many participants prove to themselves they have what it takes to build the next billion-dollar tech company.”
The Perks
What makes this year’s Startup Weekend unforgettable isn’t just the changes or the venue—it’s the energy of the weekend itself. For three days, participants will pitch ideas, collaborate with mentors, and bring their ideas to life. With $35,000 in guaranteed cash and services and a potential investment of up to $150,000 up for grabs, this weekend is designed to find and celebrate the next billion-dollar idea.
The weekend offers access to 20 curated judges and mentors, including well-known operators and investors like Jesse Pujji (Founder of GatewayX), Lori Coulter (Founder of Summersalt), and Brian Helmig (Co-Founder of Zapier).
“This year, we have some incredible new faces supporting our builders,” Brett shares. “It’s a group of seasoned operators and investors who bring immense value to the experience.”
“Tell me a better way to spend your weekend than surrounding yourself with highly driven builders, eating seven gourmet meals, and getting unfiltered feedback from some of the sharpest investors and founders,” says Maria Heyen.
The weekend wraps up with an afterparty on the Redbud rooftop in the Arcade District, catered by Irene’s.
Join Us at MOSW 2025
Whether you’re pitching an idea, diving into a sprint, or simply soaking up the energy, MOSW 2025 is the place to be. Grab your ticket, claim your swag, and get ready to build. We’re on the hunt for our third unicorn outcome seeded from this event, and it could be this year.
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