Build a startup in 54 thrilling hours at Dayton’s Startup Weekend, March 28-30!
Techstars Startup Weekend is a jumping-off point for entrepreneurship. Over the weekend event, attendees will share ideas, team up, and launch startups. Snag your ticket by Feb. 14 for early-bird pricing + bring a friend for free!
Startup Weekend is a 54-hour entrepreneurship competition that helps future entrepreneurs develop the skills to launch their dreams. All participants start on a level playing field, and ideas are pitched, validated, and turned into companies in 54 hours.
On Friday evening, participants will pitch ideas and form teams. Over the weekend, they’ll work with mentors to develop a working prototype, demonstrate validation, and build a VC presentation by Sunday evening. Techstars Startup Weekend is a hackathon-like event with a global presence.
Startup Weekend organizer Matt Veryser has participated in and facilitated Startup Weekends and hackathons across the Midwest. “I love Startup Weekend because it is the single most catalytic entrepreneurial experience that I’ve ever witnessed,” Veryser said. “Firsthand, I’ve seen it change the career paths of 3 or 4 dozen people by changing how they see the world.”
One of last year’s winners described the experience as “fantastic.”
“I went into college to study engineering with no experience in entrepreneurship outside a few personal things I wanted to pursue,” said Joe Fuchs, University of Dayton engineering student and first-time attendee. “This contest has brought me a holistic idea of what it would look like to go into this space. I recommend a lot more students get involved in it.”
The goal of Startup Weekend is to create an environment where passionate, driven, and like-minded people can come together to get things done — to learn, network, bridge the gap between trades, expose potential, and see actual results.
The event flows as follows:
On Saturday and Sunday, entrepreneurs and experts from the community will volunteer to mentor the Startup Weekend teams, helping them develop their business strategies and prototypes.
Early-bird tickets are on sale for $45 through Jan. 31, when tickets will go up to $75. Get an even better deal with a BOGO offer — a $45 early-bird ticket + bring a friend for free. Learn more and snag your ticket here.
Thank you to this year’s sponsors, including Mile Two, the University of Dayton, and the Entrepreneurs’ Center!
Want to be a mentor or sponsor? Email [email protected]
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Michelle Daniel’s journey to building a holistic health and wellness center in Dayton is a story of passion, resilience, and innovation. As the founder of Row Cycle Fitness and The Lifestyle Technique, she seamlessly blends fitness, nursing, and holistic wellness to help people live healthier, more balanced lives.
Michelle’s fitness career began in local gyms, where she developed a deep love for helping others achieve their physical goals. But she didn’t stop there. Her career evolved as she became a trauma and operating room nurse, which exposed her to the devastating effects of preventable diseases. That experience pushed her to think beyond traditional fitness and explore holistic approaches to health. She earned certifications in cycling, rowing, yoga, barre, and more while also diving into integrative nutrition and recovery therapies.
Today, at Row Cycle Fitness, clients experience dynamic, high-energy workouts designed to push limits and track progress. The studio’s heart rate-based cycling classes and InBody scans offer personalized performance insights, making fitness both engaging and effective. But for Michelle, fitness is only part of the equation. That’s where The Lifestyle Technique comes in, offering recovery-focused services like red light therapy, PEMF frequency therapy, and detox programs—tools designed to help clients feel better from the inside out.
Her holistic approach stems from personal experience. Michelle once struggled with brain fog, chronic fatigue, and weight gain. Frustrated and searching for answers, she focused on gut health, reducing inflammation, and making lifestyle changes that transformed her energy levels and well-being. That journey inspired her to create a space where others could experience similar breakthroughs.
Michelle credits much of her entrepreneurial growth to the support she found in the Dayton community. Navigating the unknowns of business ownership wasn’t easy at first, but everything changed when she connected with Lisa Crum at the Miami Valley SBDC.
“Lisa’s guidance was a game-changer,” Michelle says. “She helped me clarify my goals and connected me with resources that aligned with my vision.” Programs like Startup Week and Business Blitz gave her the tools and confidence to expand her business while building valuable connections.
Her entrepreneurial journey embodies the bold spirit of Dayton’s startup ecosystem. She took a leap of faith to create something meaningful and filled a gap in the community’s wellness landscape. Her success is a testament to persistence, creativity, and the power of collaboration.
Michelle is quick to point out that her business isn’t just about fitness—it’s about creating sustainable, life-changing habits. The joy she finds in watching clients transform goes beyond physical results.
“Seeing someone gain confidence, energy, and a renewed sense of purpose is the most rewarding part of what I do,” she shares. “It’s about helping people build a lifestyle that supports their long-term health.”
Her advice for aspiring entrepreneurs? Don’t go it alone. “Reach out to the Miami Valley SBDC and your local Chamber of Commerce,” she recommends. “Their resources and guidance can be transformative. Surround yourself with people and organizations that want to see you succeed, and it will make all the difference.”
About Row Cycle Fitness & The Lifestyle Technique
Michelle Daniel is the founder of Row Cycle Fitness and The Lifestyle Technique, LLC, a holistic fitness and wellness center offering dynamic workouts and advanced recovery therapies in Dayton. With over 25 years of experience and a passion for preventative care, she helps clients achieve sustainable, long-term health. Connect with Michelle on Facebook or Instagram to learn more about her offerings.
About Small Business Development Center (SBDC)
The Dayton Miami Valley Small Business Development Center (SBDC), which is a part of the Entrepreneurs’ Center (EC), in partnership with the State of Ohio and the Small Business Administration (SBA), provides business support, access to small business programming, coaching and mentoring to more than 800 main street businesses regionally. More specifically, they provide complimentary consulting and training to small business owners and potential entrepreneurs in the Dayton Region at no cost. Their focus areas of counseling include Goal Setting, Cash Flow and Profitability, Employee Management, Business Planning, Market Strategy Development, Export Markets, Financial Projections, Export Readiness, and more. Visit ecinnovates.com for more information.
31 S. Main St.
Dayton, OH 45402
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