2013-01-22 14:10:07 - Athenian Venture Partners, a venture capital firm specializing in investments in information technology and healthcare companies in Ohio and across the United States, today announced that Mary Strother, managing director, investor relations, will be part of the judging panel for the upcoming Startup Weekend, taking place Friday, January 25 through Sunday, January 27, 2013 at Ohio University in Athens, Ohio.

WHAT: With investment in early-stage Ohio-based companies increasing by 25 percent in 2011 over 2010, the state has many opportunities for entrepreneurs with new ideas for innovative businesses, and Athens’ first Startup Weekend will help nurture these potential new ventures.

WHY: Startup Weekend originated in Boulder, Colorado and has grown into a series of worldwide events, attracting entrepreneurs from Silicon Valley to Beirut for 260 events taking place in 202 cities during 2011 alone. During the intense 54-hour event, entrepreneurs pitch and validate their ideas and build prototypes of their designs to compete for prices.

The event comes to Athens, Ohio for the first time in January. The three-day event at Ohio University will bring together the next generation of entrepreneurs,

developers and designers and their creative, game-changing ideas with the goal of forming the businesses of their dreams. Participants will be joined by industry experts providing their experience and guidance toward turning ideas into reality. The weekend begins with company pitches on Friday night, continuing by building functional startups with the input of industry experts during the event and concluding with judging on Sunday evening.

Strother joins a panel of investors and entrepreneurs to judge the businesses at the end of the weekend, providing teams with real-world feedback to help guide them towards launching their own ventures after the event. Winners will be awarded monetary prizes to use towards the next step in their business endeavors.

WHEN/WHERE: Startup Weekend
Friday, January 25 – Sunday, January 27, 2013
Ohio University
Athens, Ohio

About Athenian Venture Partners
Athenian Venture Partners identifies and cultivates intellectual capital in two of the most dynamic market segments: Information Technology and Healthcare. The Athenian team takes a thoughtful approach to investing, doing the rational work upfront with accountability to both its investors and its portfolio companies. With a presence in California, Massachusetts and Ohio, Athenian Venture Partners spans the most interesting technology and healthcare communities to create new investment opportunities others may miss and deliver proven results for the long term.