Getting your entrepreneurial idea off the ground may only take 48 hours. Startup 48, a weekend-long event designed to launch new business ideas, will be held Oct. 14-16 at JAMF Software in downtown Eau Claire. Based upon ideas pitched by participating entrepreneurs, teams will be formed with the goal of creating a minimal viable product – or MVP – by the end of the weekend. Local experts will provide mentoring, and winning startups will receive prizes. Startup 48 is modeled on a previous event, Eau Claire Startup Weekend, which was held for the first time last fall. “Last year’s event was an eye-opener to how needed this type of event is for the community,” says Luke Hanson, executive director of the Eau Claire Area Economic Development Corp. “Every individual that was at the event continued to work with community partners to further an idea for a startup business.” According to a press release, the event is aimed at “developers, coders, designers, marketers, financiers, and business owners,” whether they’re new to the startup world or are serial entrepreneurs. Organizers – who come from the EDC, JAMF, BMO Harris Bank, the Chippewa Valley Developers Group, and UW-Eau Claire – are now seeking event and prize sponsors. To learn more about how you can help, contact sponsors@startup48.co. If you’re interested in participating in Startup 48, early-bird tickets are available for $75 (or $35 if you’re student). To learn more, see the schedule, and buy tickets, visit startup48.co.