Tickets to Tauranga's first Startup Weekend are sold out but organisers of the business challenge will want more programmers and designers for the event this Friday.

Tauranga Startup Weekend organiser Sheldon Nesdale is seeking three graphic designers and 10 more computer programmers to fill all the spaces for the weekend-long business building workshop in Tauranga from September 14-16.

Tauranga Startup Weekend organiser Sheldon Nesdale is hoping some great iPad apps and businesses will be developed at the September event. Photo by Tracy Hardy.

Sheldon, who was inspired to bring the event to Tauranga after taking part in a similar event in Auckland last year, says everyone taking part is excited and is encouraging people to spread the word for the need for more programmers or designers to fill all the spaces.

'Everything is coming together and people are absolutely stoked about the opportunity it is going to give them.

'We are definitely going to make it an annual event each September and are playing around with the possibility of holding one in March, but are still weighing that up because it might be a bit much to organise.”

The event is part of the non-profit global Startup Weekend movement that has helped create many great businesses at the 54-hour-long weekend startup marathons that have been held in more than 100 cities.

The event has a strong focus on developing iPad or iPhone apps because of the fast turnaround speed from concept to completed product – but Sheldon is happy to hear all business ideas.

Beginning with people pitching their business proposals, teams (of entrepreneurs, developers, designers and project managers) form around ideas they like then race to build the app or business during the weekend. At the end of the weekend all teams get feedback, with the winning team getting ongoing support.

Sheldon says with 25 per cent of all startups continuing after the weekend across the globe, the event offers the chance to foster more business and encourage innovation in the region.

Among those supporting the weekend is Tauranga-based angel investment fund Enterprise Angels, which has invested $4million in startup businesses in the past six months.

Executive director Bill Murphy says the event, which it is sponsoring, will help encourage innovation in the region.

Details: www.tauranga.startupweekend.org

http://www.facebook.com/events/501642059864766/