SEP 4, 2026 - OCT 17, 2026
PRODUCTBC
MULTI-WEEK BUILD-A-THON
Registration for fall 2026 cohort is now closed.
We are looking for Build-A-Thon Mentors!
ABOUT THE PROGRAM
The Build-a-thon is an in-person, hands-on product development program where you'll work in a team to identify a real user problem, design and prototype a solution, and pitch your product strategy live at Demo Day.
OVERVIEW
MISSION
Whether you’re an aspiring PM with no formal experience, an early-career PM, a seasoned PM exploring something new, or a non-PM professional curious about product work, the Build-a-thon is designed for you.
- Build a real product from 0 to 1, from first idea to working prototype.
- Work through the core stages of product development: discover, design, build, launch, and pitch.
- Leverage AI tools at every stage to research, prototype, and ship faster.
- Collaborate in small teams with peers from BC’s product community.
- Learn directly from experienced practitioners throughout the program.
- Pitch to a panel of judges and leave with a portfolio-ready case study.
PROGRAM STRUCTURE
A multi-week product development program guiding participants through:
- Discover – Identify and validate user problems
- Design – Develop product concepts and experiences
- Build – Create prototypes and test solutions
- Launch – Develop go-to-market strategies
- Pitch – Pitch in front of judge
PROGRAM EXPECTATIONS
The Build-a-thon is designed as a hands-on product development experience where participants build product skills through the full product lifecycle, from problem discovery to final pitch.
The program is not intended to serve as a standalone pitch opportunity for previously built products. While participants may bring ideas or explore existing problem spaces, teams are expected to develop and refine their ideas through the Build-a-thon process and demonstrate their product thinking, decision-making, and learnings throughout the program.
OUR INSTRUCTORS
WORKSHOPS
Colleen Knoff
CEO & Principle Consultant
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| Session | Date | Time | Topic |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Kickoff |
Fri, Sep 4 |
6:00 – 9:00 PM |
Orientation & Team Formation |
|
1 |
Sat, Sep 5 |
1:30 – 4:30 PM |
User Research & Validation |
|
2 |
Sat, Sep 12 |
1:30 – 4:30 pm |
Product Design |
|
3 |
Sun, Sep 20 |
1:00 – 5:00 PM |
Build & Deploy |
|
4 |
Sat, Sep 26 |
1:30 – 4:30 pm |
Go-to-Market Strategy |
|
5 |
Sat, Oct 3 |
1:30 – 4:30 pm |
How to Pitch |
|
6 |
Sat, Oct 17 |
1:30 – 4:30 pm |
Demo Day |
A 6-week hands-on program where you’ll team up to find a real user problem, then design, build, and pitch a solution at Demo Day. It’s as exciting as it sounds!
It’s in person! Kickoff and all six workshops happen in person, so plan on being in the room. Your team will likely also coordinate online between sessions, but the core program is a hands on, in person experience.
PMs at any experience level are welcome, along with designers, developers, marketers, entrepreneurs, and anyone else who’s product curious. Whether you’re an aspiring PM with zero formal experience, an early career PM, an experienced PM exploring something new, or a non-PM professional wanting a taste of product work, there’s a spot for you here.
We’re also looking for product experts! If you’re ready to share your wealth of knowledge and join us as a team mentor, sign up here!
Teams come together at kickoff, so you don’t need to show up with one already. We form 15 teams of 3 to 4 people (about 60 participants total), grouped by shared interests, skills, and problem areas, so odds are good you’ll land with people who round out your strengths nicely.
You’ll need to attend kickoff plus at least 4 of the 6 weekly sessions. It’s a hard eligibility requirement, not something a great application can make up for, so take a look at your calendar before applying!
The program itself is free. The only cost is a refundable $50 commitment deposit, due after acceptance. Meet the participation requirements and you get it back (or can choose to donate it to ProductBC). Miss them, and it’s forfeited to the event prize pool.
Just one thing to plan for. Build exercises may require a personal subscription to an AI service such as Claude. That’s not covered by the program, so budget for it before applying.
Yes, each team submits a weekly progress check-in, due every Friday. It’s quick to do and keeps everyone moving in the same direction.
You bet! The winning team takes home a $1,000 cash prize, awarded at Demo Day.
Beyond the prize chase, you’ll leave with a portfolio ready product case study you built end to end, sharper practical product skills, and real relationships within the ProductBC community. That’s the kind of thing that sticks around long after Demo Day.
Not as a standalone pitch. You’re welcome to bring an existing idea, but your team needs to develop and refine it through the program, that’s really the heart of the experience!
Spring 2026 Cohort
