Next BIG Thing Pitch Competition for Entrepreneurs 2024

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About Next BIG Thing Pitch Competition

Global Entrepreneurship Week is a celebration of the entrepreneurial spirit that thrives across the globe. Presented by Novaparke and hosted by IU Southeast, The Next BIG Thing Pitch Competition welcomes everyone with innovative ideas and a passion for entrepreneurship. Seize the chance to present your ideas before a panel of seasoned experts, industry veterans, trailblazing entrepreneurs, and dedicated mentors. Dive into an energetic contest alongside the most creative minds from southern Indiana, all competing for cash rewards totaling $30,000, mentorship sessions, and invaluable exposure.

Categories

Two categories are available for the 2024 Next BIG Thing Pitch Competition:

• Fast Pitch: This category is for individuals/teams who have identified a problem to solve, have addressed a customer need, have executed market research, and have a rough business plan; however, they have not yet identified or finalized a minimum viable product or service to offer. Business must have operated for six months or fewer. Participants in the Fast Pitch cohort must be an Indiana resident or have an existing business organized within the state of Indiana. If the business is not yet organized, winning submissions must agree to start the submitted business idea within the state of Indiana to receive financial prizes.

• Pitch Tank: This category is for individuals/teams who have a completed business plan and have identified a specific minimum viable product or service to offer. Participants in the Pitch Tank cohort must be an Indiana resident or have an existing business organized within the state of Indiana. If the business is not yet organized, winning submissions must agree to organize the business within the state of Indiana in order to receive the First Place Award. To accept the Pitch Tank First Place Award, the winning individual/team must also agree to work from Novaparke Innovation and Technology Campus in Floyd County for the full duration of the 2025 calendar year.

• Sponsor Organisation: Global Entrepreneurship Network

Benefits of Next BIG Thing Pitch Competition

• Fast Pitch First Place Award: $5,000 in non-dilutive grant funding, and a 1-year membership to Maker13 in Jeffersonville, IN.
• Pitch Tank First Place Award: $20,000 in non-dilutive grant funding, and office space for the 2025 calendar year at Novaparke Innovation and Technology Campus in Georgetown, IN.

Next BIG Thing Pitch Competition Requirements

• Open to everyone with innovative ideas and a passion for entrepreneurship.
• Applicants must be residents in the state of Indiana, USA.

Application Date and Process

Applications must be submitted by Wednesday, November 6, 2024, 5:00 p.m. EST. No late applications will be accepted. The application must include the following items:

• Completed application form
• Three-minute elevator pitch (provide a video link)
• Executive Summary (applicants must use the Executive Summary template, including a 3-year pro-forma financial projection provided on The Next BIG Thing submission site)

All documents submitted in digital format must be submitted via the online form.

Application Deadline

06 November, 2024

Scholarship Application Portal

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