The Traction Build Weekend

A focused working weekend for people developing ideas, ventures, start-ups, products, services and innovating in existing businesses.

Some participants arrive with an early-stage concept. Others already have something underway. Some are exploring a startup idea. Others are improving or growing an existing business.

For one weekend, participants step out of the day-to-day and properly work on something they want to move forward.

Focused time | Useful conversations | Practical feedback from experienced entrepreneurs

Across the weekend participants:

• test ideas and assumptions

• refine how they explain what they’re building

• access experienced founders, operators and mentors

• pressure-test concepts and business thinking

• identify opportunities, risks and next steps

• build momentum around something real

You can work independently, with existing teams, or alongside collaborators they meet during the weekend.

The environment is practical, supportive and collaborative — more working session than conference.

The weekend concludes with pitches, drinks and conversations about where ideas go from here.

What Happens During the Weekend?

A short overview:

• Friday = connection and momentum

• Saturday = focused working sessions and mentor access

• Sunday = refinement, pitches and next steps

High Level Schedule

Friday Evening

Connection, ideas and momentum

Friday night is about getting everyone into the right mindset for the weekend ahead.

Participants meet the mentors, founders and other people taking part, hear how the weekend works, and start thinking about what they want to achieve.

The evening includes:

• introductions and networking

• practical insights from experienced founders and operators

• guidance on how to make the most of the weekend

• opportunities to meet collaborators, mentors and other participants

The goal is simple:
arrive with an idea and leave with momentum already building.

Saturday

Working on the idea properly

Saturday is the core working day of the weekend.

Participants spend the day developing ideas, testing assumptions, refining their thinking and getting practical feedback from mentors and other participants.

Throughout the day there are:

• focused working sessions

• mentor office hours and one-on-one conversations

• practical workshops

• group discussions

• opportunities to test ideas and ask questions

Topics explored during the day may include:

• customer validation

• understanding the problem you’re solving

• competitor and market thinking

• explaining your idea clearly

• communication and storytelling

• early-stage business thinking

• momentum and next steps

Participants can work independently, with existing teams, or alongside collaborators they meet during the weekend.

Sunday

Refinement, feedback and next steps

Sunday is about pulling ideas together and testing how they land with other people.

You continue refining their thinking, improving how they explain their idea, and preparing for the afternoon presentation session.

The presentations are not designed as “investor pitch theatre.”

They’re an opportunity to:

• explain the idea clearly

• test how people understand it

• receive practical feedback

• identify gaps or confusion

• hear what resonates with others

The weekend concludes with drinks and conversations about where ideas go from here.