Mr Nesdale said the events tended to attract those in the technical community, as it was realistic to develop a smart phone application, a website or an innovative web service in a short space of time. However, it was open to anyone with a great business idea or those just wanting to learn and make connections.
"It's about meeting some amazing people that are interested in the same things as you," he said. "You learn about entrepreneurship ... it's a way that you can pitch any idea you have been working on and inspire a team."
He said there were three possible outcomes for the weekend's participants - all of which were positive.
"They could say well we had some good laughs, say goodbye and go back to their regular jobs, they could say we have built something pretty cool, let's keep working on it or they could think this is so cool let's all quit our jobs."
At the end of the weekend the teams give a five-minute presentation to the four judges, who include Pacific Fibre founder Lance Wiggs. Part of the winning team's prize package is eight weeks' worth of business and marketing coaching from Catalyst Management. Mr Nesdale said of the projects created at StartUp Weekends worldwide, 20 to 25 per cent continued past the event.
Although in Tauranga, Mr Nesdale said the weekend has wide appeal.
"We've already got a couple registered from Hamilton and we would love to have some from Rotorua," he said. If there's enough interest, the former John Paul College student said he was keen to run a future event in Rotorua, where his own entrepreneurial story began.
In 2005, Mr Nesdale, 35, featured in The Daily Post when he developed www.nzhotpools.co.nz, a website he continues to run today. Three-and-a-half years ago he went out on his own in Tauranga and now creates systems and web-based marketing for small businesses, a career move he describes as "fantastic".
"Small business owners are fighting fires every day. I focus on helping them make more money with less effort."
Along the way he has developed more websites (including www.loveonedaysales.co.nz), which he describes as "passive income" in that they now pay his bills.
He loves coaching and giving people the tools to make their own decisions, which is why he is so excited about organising and mentoring the StartUp Weekend, which he plans to run them every six months around the country.
Registration for the event costs $99, which includes food. Visit: http:/Tauranga.StartUpWeekend.org
