2023 CALL FOR PROPOSALS SUBMISSION GUIDELINES

2023 CFP SUBMISSION GUIDELINES

Denver Startup Week (DSW) is committed to providing an impactful event that educates and inspires, creates community, and celebrates Denver’s thriving entrepreneurial ecosystem. DSW has always been about serving entrepreneurs, empowering business, and coming together to build a stronger, more connected community. In 2023, DSW will be coming back primarily in person (yay!), although we will maintain the ability for select virtual sessions for accessibility and inclusivity.

Community Kickoff Event

We invited our community to a kickoff event on Wednesday, April 26, for inspiration, community, and to hear from the DSW Organizing Committee about our vision for Denver Startup Week 2023 and how you can stand out from the crowd during the annual Call for Session Submissions process. Did you miss the event? Find the slide deck here including contact information to reach out to our Organizing Committee volunteers.

Session Submissions Information

Denver Startup Week 2023 will be held primarily in person. Session organizers should plan on presenting live during the week from one of our venues. Zoom rooms are a thing of DSW past (fingers crossed!). There will be little to no livestreaming from venues. We are excited to welcome our community back in person!

If you need a virtual option for reasons of accessibility or inclusivity (e.g. geographic diversity), we can accommodate that by accepting pre-recorded webinars only. If you need to submit a virtual pre-recorded webinar, we require that you include our intro video and that you be available live when it streams on our YouTube channel to answer questions. All recording and editing is your responsibility. Again, there will be no Zoom rooms - these will be premiered on Youtube Live. Please indicate on the session submission form if you are requesting to present via a pre-recorded webinar.

Submit your session online here.

We can't wait to see what you have up your sleeves!

Content Guidelines

Remember that less is more. Please limit your submissions to your best content!

This year, content will still be categorized across our eight Tracks. Your session can be 30, 60, or 90 minutes – please specify the length in your submission.

Call for Proposals will open April 17 and will close May 26 at 11:59 p.m MT.

As you plan for your submission for DSW here are some key tips to help you:

Submission Components:

• Title - Make it catchy!
• Video pitching your submission, or a link to a previous presentation - help us see how you present and interact with your audience.
• Videos are required for some tracks and recommended for all tracks.
• Track selection - please only submit each session once
• Session format (talk, panel, workshop)
• Ideal session length (30, 60 or 90 minutes)
• Contact information (email, company) including a backup person
• Collaborators/panelists
• Public-facing description
• Reviewer notes/pitch
• Target audience
• If you need to discuss accessibility (virtual session, ASL or language interpretation, etc.)
• Code of Conduct and Diversity and Inclusion acknowledgments
• All submitted DSW sessions will be REQUIRED to have gender and/or race/ethnicity diversity with regard to its organization, participation and/or content

Video Submission Tips:

• Video is required for some tracks and optional for others - consider dropping in a link to another talk you have given recently
• If you’re recording something new, shoot for 60 seconds
• Ensure good video resolution
• Submit as an unlisted YouTube link (if recording something just for us)
• Good sound quality
• Aesthetically pleasing video background
• Quality lighting so we can see you!
• Points To Think About:
• Assemble a well-balanced program
• Widely applicable, niche, on-trend, or timeless
• Skill-building, storytelling, or inspirational-aspirational
• Presenter(s) should represent a broad range of perspectives and companies
• Give us your best content!
• Sessions will be a variety of lengths: 30min, 60min, 90min - please share with us which you prefer

Submission Do’s:

• Bring your best. Remember that less is more. Please limit your submissions!
• Be concise and polished
• Show us the diversity and experience of your panelists
• Consider your audience
• Submit on time using the portal
• Always remember to give first

Submission Don'ts:

• Pitch products or services
• Be ambiguous
• Abuse the system
• Duplicate submissions
• Worry about logistics - DSW will take care of that part!

Tracks:

• Product
• Designer
• Developer
• Founder
• Spotlight
• Growth
• Maker
• People

Read more about Tracks here. Submit your session online here!

Do you have a question about Denver Startup Week? You're probably not the first. Check out our answers to Frequently Asked Questions here.