Fine-tune your business ideas and polish up your pitches — London's first-ever Startup Weekend is taking place at Fanshawe from February 8 to 10.

Startup Weekend is a frenzied 54-hour event in which people team up to brainstorm, write a business plan and create a basic prototype of their idea. Enterpreneurs, bankers and mentors work together throughout the weekend to make the startup ideas a reality. The main goal of the weekend is to make big ideas into real, viable businesses.

"We're looking at ways to connect entrepreneurs, educational institutes and local businesses to either create startups or to help startups or to help technology entrepreneurs," said Dr. John Makaran, industrial research chair for Fanshawe's Applied Research and Innovation, who is helping to organize the event.

"I think it would be very good for the local economy, because 36 per cent of the startups that are started during a Startup Weekend actually are sustainable," he continued.

The weekend begins on Friday, February 8, when participants will pitch their ideas and form teams to work on their plans. Any pitch from any sector is welcome, from IT to clean technology to the fashion sector and beyond. The teams will work throughout Saturday and Sunday with help from mentors from the local community to refine their ideas.

It's all leading up to the big event on Sunday night, when each idea and prototype is presented. The presentations will be judged by a panel that includes representatives from the London Economic Development Council, Tech Alliance and more — a "cross-section of individuals" who can provide different insights into the ideas being pitched, said Makaran. They will be judging each idea on novelty, sustainability and other business aspects, such as considering any capital investments that may be required to make the business a reality. Prizes will be awarded to the top ideas.

"If you ever wanted to own a small business, this event will point you in the right direction, or give you an idea of what's involved in having a small business," said Makaran. "There are a lot of good ideas, there is a lot of good talent in the London area, and we're trying to leverage that, trying to give (people) a forum where they can realize their hopes."

London's first-ever Startup Weekend runs from February 8 to 10 in Fanshawe's James A. Colvin atrium. Tickets are $75 for students, $99 for non-students. The event is sponsored by Startup Weekend, Fanshawe College (Applied Research and Innovation) and the Mayor's Sustainability Energy Council. For more information or to sign up, head to ldn.startupweekend.org.