6 Startup Events and News to Watch This Week

Austin Startup Week kicks off with a battle of the bands, the Shutdown threatens to thwart D.C.-area businesses, great minds connect at the Inc. 500|5000 awards, students party hard at College Fest… This week's notable news and startup events for entrepreneurs:

1. Austin Startup Week: Kick off the Austin Startup Week with a battle of the bands competition hosted by the Austin Technology Council on Oc. 7. For the rest of the time, discussions dubbed "Co-Founders Wanted" and "Intro to the Austin Startup Scene," among others, offer to keep you in the know and networked up the wazoo. (Austin, Texas, Oct. 7 - 11)

2. Shutdown continues: The U.S. federal government shutdown heads into its second week. Small businesses continue to feel the burn. (Oct. 1 – present)

• Surveys sink: And if last week was any indication, government surveys, upon which many business owners have come to rely for a gauge on the U.S. economy, will also be delayed. Last week, two surveys on construction spending and manufactured goods and the monthly jobs report were delayed. This week, four more surveys will get sidetracked.
• Private companies shelve workers too: Though not a federal agency, Lockheed Martin plans to furlough about 3,000 employees this week due to the government shutdown. Various other defense contractors including United Technologies also said they'd furlough workers if the shutdown continued.

3. Create a power partnership: Join the Impact HUB for a free introductory workshop, the first in a four-part series, aimed at helping you build "a more effective and satisfying" business partnership. (San Francisco, Oct. 8)

4. Get down to business at Inc. 500|5000: Check out the Inc. 500|5000 conference and awards ceremony where the "brightest, most successful" business minds come together to celebrate achievements in private enterprise. This three-day event also features high-level keynote speakers and networking opportunities. (Washington D.C., Oct. 10 - 12)

5. Tap the college market: Join the party or the exhibition at College Fest, which claims to be the "most attended back-to-school even in New England." With more than 17,000 students in attendance, brands are lining up to put their products in the hands of this sought after demographic. (Boston, Mass., Oct. 12-13)

6. Meet up with tech treps in NYC: Meet, mingle and make lasting relationships with some of Silicon Alley's leading entrepreneurs at the NY Tech Meetup, for a night of live demos and networking. Aimed at promoting the NY tech scene and innovative, sustainable businesses, this event is a bargain at $10 a head. (New York, Oct. 8)