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The Definitive Guide to Startup Grind

Francisco Cruz 2015-04-07T00:57:15+00:00

Inspiring, Educating, and Connecting Entrepreneurs

In 2015, Startup Grind grew to cover 150 cities around the world through two of the most powerful forces in any business and any community: great people and a great idea.

Director Day 6.jpg


Our best people are like you

They’re the Startup Grind Chapter Directors running inspiring, empowering events every month on every continent. These community leaders bring together all of our global communities into the largest network of entrepreneurs, technologists, investors, and students, connecting unique communities like Silicon Valley to Shanghai, London to Bombay, and Mexico City to Cape Town. They too started with a handful of people in a small room talking to entrepreneurs they admire, and through following the process in this guide, attract hundreds of attendees every single month to see entrepreneurs on the caliber of Richard Branson. This guide is written from their expertise, and drawing from the knowledge of what works best around the world helps us keep Startup Grind events consistently incredible.



Our best idea is our system of values

Startup Grind exists as a community to educate, connect, and empower entrepreneurs. We believe the most powerful relationships are made through friendship, not a loose connection formed on the basis of business cards. We see the greatest wins in our community coming to those who help others with introductions, mentorship, and resources - rather than those who seek to help themselves. We follow a simple golden rule: give, rather than take. These values are at the core of every event, and in the mind of every great director. Without our values, we are just another networking event. With them, we can be cultural ambassadors of a more open, more connected entrepreneurial culture.


You’re now learning the strategies that will help you to join this well-connected, empowered, and compassionate group of global ambassadors. As you become a leader in your local community, you’ll become part of a global community, joining the Startup Grind family of directors all around the world.


Almost Ready for Showtime

When you have double-checked all these to-dos ahead of your event you’re officially good to go!

We all get confused and sometimes forget things. That's why we made this list: if you have a question on any topic that is not self-evident, follow the link on the checklist item and you'll get a breakdown of just what you should do to make that component of your event a great success!


Before Posting the Event

  • I have written an introductory blog post at the launch of my chapter to promote my community and events.

    • I have access to all the online logins besides Wordpress, like Eventbrite, Meetup, Mailchimp, and social profiles.

    • I have logged into Basecamp and introduced myself to the other Directors.

    • I have received the art assets for my local chapter of Startup Grind from HQ.

  • I have a great speaker who can educate and inspire a room full of entrepreneurs and attract a good crowd.

  • I have the speaker’s bio and picture to publish with the event.

  • I have a convenient date for my event that preferably does not conflict with any holidays or major gatherings.

  • I have a definite price for tickets in my region.


After Posting the Event

  • I have announced the event with date, speaker bio, and picture through Wordpress, ideally with about a month ahead of time.

  • I have a venue with a specific address and enough room for my attendees, which I have added into the description of my event through the Wordpress tool.

  • I have sponsor logos and summaries for any partners I’ve secured.

  • I have a provider for food and beverages for the event, as well as a way to serve them (cups, plates, utensils).

  • I have audio/visual support from a staff member with good equipment that will be able to capture crisp audio.

  • I have a Startup Grind banner printed.

  • I have shared my event with best local marketing channels and press.

  • I have personally invited VIPs and local connectors to the event with free passes.


2 Weeks Before the Event

  • I’ve double-checked my audio and visual tools & volunteer to handle the camera.

  • I’ve recruited one or two volunteers to do check-in at the door and help with set-up.

  • I’ve double-checked the availability of my speaker and attempted to hold a call/meeting to prepare one another for the interview.

  • I have called Startup Grind Headquarters with any last-minute questions over Skype.

  • I have marketed by event through email via MailChimp, Meetup, and Eventbrite.

  • I have invited additional VIPs and press to the event as free guests.

  • I have shared re-shared the event via social media and my own communities each week.


Day Before the Event

  • I’ve triple-checked the availability of my speaker.

  • I’ve triple-checked the venue, audio-visual, and food.

  • I’ve gotten name tags for the event, as well as markers for writing names in.

  • If I’ve decided to accept purchases at the door, I have taken out cash to give change and looked into Square to take card payments. I made sure I have a way to record these sales.

  • I have enough video storage and battery power to record 45-75 minutes of the interview.


Day Of the Event

  • I have a sign or PowerPoint with the event’s Twitter handles (@StartupGrind, @Speaker, @Host).

  • I have an Eventbrite list of attendees as a printout or on an iPad, with the most updated list of my guests.

  • I have tested the microphones for myself and my speaker, and have a backup.

  • I have done a test video to check sound and quality of video and audio.

  • I have set up the room with space for chairs, reception, a sound/video area, and space for food and beverages. I have also put together a sponsor booth, if appropriate.

  • I have signs up to give directions to my venue and the bathrooms in the venue.


After the Event

  • I have sent my speaker a thank you email and politely requested recommendations to other entrepreneurs in their network.

  • I have sent a thank you to my sponsors and confirmed their involvement in my next event.

  • I have sent out a wrap-up email to my community summarizing some takeaways and thanking them for coming.

  • I have edited my event video to include start and end Startup Grind logo bumpers.

  • I have uploaded my video to the Startup Grind Local channel with the proper title, tags, and description.

  • I have sent in my Eventbrite invoice to receive payment from Startup Grind.

  • I have announced my next event!



    About the Author

    Francisco Cruz

    Francisco is the Global Community Director at Startup Grind, a community designed to connect, inspire, and educate entrepreneurs through monthly events around the world. He is responsible for on-boarding new chapter directors, overseeing local events, and producing video content on the Startup Grind Youtube Channel. Since he joined the team in 2012, Startup Grind has achieved exponential growth expanding from 10 to 60 cities, five to 30 countries, and now reaching a network of over 40,000 entrepreneurs globally.