Raleigh-Durham Startup Week
Volunteer for RDSW 2026
RDSW is a volunteer-led event run by over 100 volunteers. Join us!
Volunteer at RDSW 2026!
RDSW is a multi-day gathering designed to bring people together for meaningful conneciton, learning, and shared experience. Volunteer play a key role in setting the tone, often you're the first and last person and attendee interacts with.
Volunteers are a critical part of what makes RDSW feel welcoming, thoughtful, and well-run. This guide is designed to give you clarity, confidence, and context so you know what to expect, what’s expected of you, and help you understand your potential commitment as a volunteer.
Dates of Voluneering:
Monday - Wednesday, April 20 - 22, 2026 at American Tobacco Campus in Durham, NC
Thursday, April 23 and Friday, April 24, 2026 in Raleigh Founded-North Street in Raleigh, NC
Volunteers are a critical part of what makes RDSW feel welcoming, thoughtful, and well-run. This guide is designed to give you clarity, confidence, and context so you know what to expect, what’s expected of you, and help you understand your potential commitment as a volunteer.
Dates of Voluneering:
Monday - Wednesday, April 20 - 22, 2026 at American Tobacco Campus in Durham, NC
Thursday, April 23 and Friday, April 24, 2026 in Raleigh Founded-North Street in Raleigh, NC
Why Volunteer at RDSW?
Volunteering is a great way to support the local startup ecosystem, connect with people from across the community, and get a behind-the-scenes look at a large, community-driven event.
No previous startup or event experience is necessary!
By volunteering at RDSW 2026, you’re helping create an experience that is:
- Warm and inclusive for attendees
- Smooth and well-organized behind the scenes
- Grounded in community, curiosity, and care
- Wayfinding and logistics support
- On-site troubleshooting and general assistance
Roles are assigned based on availability and interest.
What you might get out of the volunteering:
Some things to look forward to when you volunteer:
- A front-row seat to the behind-the-scenes work of putting together RDSW
- Connect with people shaping the entrepreneurial community
- People come up and talk to you! Being a volunteer is a natural conversation starter to build relationships in a low-pressure way. You have a role and a reason to engage with people
- Build and practice skills from communication, problem-solving, and event operation
- A sense of belonging in the community by being part of the team and helping contribute to the entrepreneurial ecosystem.
- A cool FREE RDSW tee-shirt.
Who should Volunteer?
Volunteering at RDSW is a good fit for:
- Students and early-career professionals
- Founders, aspiring founders, and entrepreneurs
- Community members interested in startups and innovation
- People interested in event logistics and planning
- A sense of belonging in the community by being part of the team and helping contribute to the entrepreneurial ecosystem.
- Anyone interested in helping RDSW run smoothly and creating a fantastic attendee experience!
Volunteer Roles & Posts
There is a lot happening behind the scenes and so there are a range of roles and volunteer posts throughout the week. You may be assigned one primary post based on interest and availability, but flexibility is always appreciated.
- Welcome Table: Welcome attendees and orient them to RDSW
- Wayfinding: Help attendees navigate through the venues
- Keynote and Track Support: Support the attendee experience in a specific room
- Investor Matchmaking or Founder Clinic: Welcome and orient attendees to these morning sessions
- General Logistical Support: Help behind the scenes with materials, set-up, clean-up, etc.
Ready to get involved?
If you’re interested in volunteering for RDSW, please select Week-of-Volunteer on the form below and provide your information. We’ll follow up with additional details, available roles, and scheduling information.