Organizing a "Startup Weekend-esque" event for science-based start-ups

Hi,

I'm working with Jim Tung (2015 Chair-elect of the Portland section of the American Chemical Society) to on organizing a  "Startup Weekend-esque" event for science-based* start-ups, and we are looking for as much help or advice as we can get.

Due to the nature of science-based start-ups, they don't lend themselves well to  the "build a MVP and market test" part of the standard start-up weekend format, which I'd be happy to talk about  later, but would benefit from rest of the "startup weekend package/experience." Also Startup Weekend is an organization with resources that would be great to tap into.

Our target location is Salem, during a week day(s) sometime in March or April of 2016, so we can invite the state legislature and governor to attend. Obviously we are targeting science entrepreneurs in Oregon. We also wish to include those in southern Washington, and possibly as far south as Redding CA and east into Idaho. We also wish to include in-state and out-of-state investors.

If you'd like to help or have advice, please contact me at wahl.troy@ocari.biz.

*: pharmaceutical, biofuel, biosynthesis, catalysts, nanomaterials, green chemistry (a type of cleantech), medical devices, polymers/new materials, etc...

Thank you,
Troy