Demo Days

This is the official Zo House playbook for hosting a Demo Day. Whether it’s the finale of a hackathon, the closing showcase of a residency, or a curated founder pitch night, this guide will walk you through every step from setup to showtime to social sharing.

Who is this for?

This template is for hackathon organizers, accelerator leads, community builders, and founders-in-residence who want to host a project showcase or pitch night at Zo House highlighting early-stage builders, products, or ideas.

1. Start Here: Get Approval

  • Fill out the Zo Event Proposal Form

  • Include:

    • Date and time (ideally evening hours)

    • Format (lightning pitches, project demos, fireside?)

    • Type of presenters (hackathon teams, founders, artists)

    • Setup needs (projector, mics, timer, display screen)

    • Will there be hosts, judges, mentors, or panelists?

    • Food, drinks, or celebration after the pitches?

  • Wait for approval from Zo HQ and the ground team (BLRxZo/SFO/etc.)

2. Set Up Registrations

Host:

  • Create an event on Luma

  • Add event name, date, time, and venue (Zo House)

  • Cap attendance based on house capacity

  • Add products@zo.xyz as a co-host

  • Refer to Zo’s Luma How-To Guide for setup

3. Promote the Event

  • Use Zo House design kit/templates or request brand assets from ops

  • All flyers/posts must include the Zo logo

  • Tag respective Zo handels on Instagram/X

  • Encourage attendees to repost & bring friends

  • Share Luma (for participants) links in every announcement

4. Event Day Flow

Time

Activity

15 mins

Guest check-in via Luma QR

10 mins

Welcome + Intro by Zo Host

45–60 mins

Rapid-fire demos or startup pitches (5–10 mins each)

15 mins

Q&A, mentor comments, or clapbacks

15 mins

Group photo + open networking

Optional:

  • Add live scoring/judging if it’s a competitive demo

  • Livestream or record for post-event content

We have live-streaming setup at Zo House

5. Execution & Setup Guide

Zo’s House operations team will be on-ground to help you during the event.

Any AV or additional setup must be conveyed clearly before the event for smooth execution.

a) What to Keep Ready:

  • Final run-of-show document

  • Confirmed presenter list

  • Final pitch decks/videos from presenters

  • Luma check-in QR code printed/displayed

b) Standard Zo House Setup:

  • Chairs arranged in audience style

  • Stage/spotlight area for presenters

  • Podium/table for laptop connection

  • Basic sound system & mic

c) AV Setup Options:

  • Projector/TV screen for slides or live demos

  • HDMI cable & adapters

  • House lighting or extra stage lights

d) Food & Beverage Setup:

  • Water station

  • Light snacks or appetizers

  • Optional catering (mocktails, food) - coordinate with Zo ops team

e) Vendor Coordination:

  • If you need something Zo House doesn’t have,

    • Ask the ops team early, they’ll connect you to the right vendor.

    • Vendors can handle extra chairs, lights, catering, AV equipment

6. Rules & Revenue

  • No entry without Luma QR check-in

  • Encourage good vibes, inclusivity, and consent

  • Founder Members: Priority access / free entry

  • If ticketed:

    • 21% of revenue goes to Zo House treasury

    • 79% goes to the host (payments via Luma)

7. After the Event

  • Share highlight photos and stories on socials

  • Tag Zo World on X and Insta

  • Post group photo + tag participants (if possible)

  • Submit event report to ops team

Key Links

See it in Action

Here is an example of a demo day -

LogoDemo Day by EAK Ventures and Zo Collective · Lumalu.ma

This is how you should make a luma with banner and description detailing out the event agenda and vibes.

Below are some pictures from past demo days.

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