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At a time when venture funding in female-only founded startups has remained at only 3% percent of all venture dollars since 2012 - we are thrilled to announce that Girls in Tech is seeing the evidence of an uptick in women founders at startups around the world! For the record, that number increases to only 7% for male and female-founded teams (TechCrunch, 2017).
Enter the Girls in Tech 2021 Startup Challenge for female founders. Now in its eighth year, the competition will be available in a fully virtual format for the first time. Historically, our Startup Challenge has helped provide startups with funding, mentorship, media exposure, and exposure to a community of investors and change-makers committed to supporting women entrepreneurs.
A Startup Challenge for Female Entrepreneurs
During this exciting virtual startup competition, female founders will submit a video pitch for their early-stage startup and fill out a short application form. Pitches will be judged based on the innovativeness, framework, and market viability of the product.
Entrepreneurs’ pitches, showcasing their technology’s product features and concepts, will be judged by an esteemed panel made up of seasoned investors, professionals, and executives. Winners will receive a cash prize to move their startup forward.
Schedule
- Applications Open: 5/17/21 - 7/16/21
- Judging Phase I: 7/19/21 - 7/30/21
- Judging Phase II: 8/2/21 - 8/13/21
- Winner Announcement: 8/16/2021
Prizes
- 1st Place: $10,000
- 2nd Place: $5,000
- 3rd Place: $1,250
Eligibility
- Individual participants must be at least 18 years old.
- All teams must have at least one female founder.
- All startups must be younger than 24 months.
- The startup must have a software or hardware product.
- The startup cannot have received more than 2M in funding.
Requirements
- 1. Submission form
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Submit your project to the Girls in Tech YouNoodle before the deadline and complete the submission form questionnaire. Submission (including both a video pitch and pitch deck) can be edited until the deadline.
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2. Pitch Deck Video Presentation- Upload a short pitch deck video presentation. This video can be submitted as a YouTube link on your YouNoodle application.
The video should be a maximum of 5 minutes long and include the following details:
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a) Problem
Explain the problem that you are solving and how consumers will benefit from your solution. Use a story to paint the picture so investors can understand your business.
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b) Vision
Explain your vision and the mission of your company. Keep it short and straight to the point.
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c) Unique Value Proposition
What makes your solution different from other companies who are addressing the same customer problem?
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d) About the Team
Highlight key team member expertise and how these will contribute to the startup.
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e) Milestones
Tell us about any growth or milestones you have achieved so far and how a new funding round might expedite that growth.
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f) Business Model
Tell us how the business works or will work? How does the business make or will make money? Do you have a marketing strategy?
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e) Competition
Who are your competitors and what makes you better than them?
Judging Criteria
- 1. Business Description:
- How well was the concept explained?
- 2. Market Analysis:
- Is there a genuine need for the product?
- How well was the target market defined?
- 3. Product Analysis:
- Is the description of the product clear?
- Is the product feasible?
- 4. Competition:
- Has the startup clearly identified its potential competitors and defined their strengths and weaknesses?
- 5. Marketing Strategy:
- How well defined and realistic is the startup's current marketing plan?
- 6. Presentation:
- Did the individual/team engage the audience?
- Did the individual/team speak with confidence?
- Were the visual aids (i.e PowerPoint slides, etc) clear and straight to the point?
- Was the overall pitch compelling?
Our Sponsors
Judges
* In order to receive any prizes, you must submit your completed application to the Girls in Tech Startup Challenge YouNoodle by the submission deadline.
* By submitting your project to the Girls in Tech Startup Challenge, you are acknowledging that these materials may be used to promote this startup challenge globally.