The value of Startup Weekends isn't in build a new startup from scratch (very few startup ideas that originate at SW last past the weekend), but rather from the

The value of Startup Weekends isn't in build a new startup from scratch (very few startup ideas that originate at SW last past the weekend), but rather from the fact that you spend a weekend working closely against a deadline with people who are potential cofounders. You get a much better feel (both at a personal and at a professional level) of someone from working with them over a weekend on something random than from a networking event.