San Antonio Startup Week will offer entrepreneurs a free week of innovation on from Oct. 16-21 in downtown San Antonio. The event features 75 events, including keynote addresses, workshops and panel discussions. A highlight is five premier startup pitch competitions which will invest nearly $300,000 in startups during the week.

The majority of SA Startup Week events will be held at Geekdom at 110 E. Houston Street.

“San Antonio Startup Week welcomes everyone, whether you’ve already launched your venture or are just beginning to explore the world of entrepreneurship. It’s a unique opportunity to gain insights from industry experts and build connections with like-minded individuals who share your passion or are simply intrigued by our thriving startup ecosystem,” said Geekdom CEO Charles Woodin.

Competitions and prize money take center stage in five premier events scheduled throughout SA Startup Week:

• Monday, Oct. 16, 6 p.m., Geekdom Pre-Accelerator Demo Day, $20,000 to be awarded at Frost Tower
• Tuesday, Oct. 17, 6:30 p.m., Tech Fuel presented by Bexar County and Tech Bloc, a $100,000 pitch competition at Boeing Center at Tech Port, 3331 General Hudnell Drive
• Wednesday, Oct. 18, 2 p.m., Pitch HearstLab Texas, an all-female $100,000 event at Tobin Center for the Performing Arts, 100 Auditorium Circle
• Thursday, Oct. 19, 4 p.m. Trinity University Louis H. Stumberg Venture Competition for $25,000 at Trinity University’s Chapman Auditorium, One Trinity Place
• Friday, Oct. 20, Bunker Labs Veterans in Residence Pitch Competition Sponsored by USAA, at the Geekdom Event Centre, $50,000 to be awarded.

Other program highlights include Tuesday’s panel “NXT. UP: The Future of Media & Entertainment in South Texas,” “Texas Women in Venture Capital” and Geekdom’s monthly Startup Bootcamp, supported by Bexar County. This three-day workshop assists aspiring entrepreneurs in developing a solid game plan for launching their startups.

The SA Startup Week schedule will continue to be updated with session details. For the most up-to-date schedule, visit sasw.co/schedule.