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The Next Challenge for Media & Journalism 2025: Discover What’s Next
Thank you for your interest! We exist to support trailblazing startups like yours that are reinventing journalism and media.
The Next Challenge for Media & Journalism is the largest startup competition open to nonprofit and for-profit media companies in the United States.
This year, six prizes totaling $200,000 will be awarded to five early-stage media startups. Each division winner will receive a grant of up to $50,000 and will be eligible for an additional $25,000 Grand Prize.
In addition to monetary prizes, up to 30 Division Finalists will be paired with mentors with relevant startup, business and/or industry experience who will help them refine their pitch and business plan to prepare for the finalist rounds.
This 16-week competition (February 20 - June 10, 2025) is an unparalleled opportunity for your startup to connect with industry leaders and move your venture forward. A detailed competition schedule, FAQ, and more are available at thenextchallenge.com.
“Not only did the recognition we receive as finalists lay the groundwork for many connections and partnerships with journalism organizations, but the experience also served as a catalyst for further innovation between Rolli and another finalist. This collaboration has been pivotal in shaping our path, and today we can trace some of our proudest achievements back to the Next Challenge for Media & Journalism.”
- Nick Toso, Founder & CEO of Rolli, Next Challenge finalist
The Next Challenge for Media & Journalism is the largest startup competition open to nonprofit and for-profit media companies in the United States.
This year, six prizes totaling $200,000 will be awarded to five early-stage media startups. Each division winner will receive a grant of up to $50,000 and will be eligible for an additional $25,000 Grand Prize.
In addition to monetary prizes, up to 30 Division Finalists will be paired with mentors with relevant startup, business and/or industry experience who will help them refine their pitch and business plan to prepare for the finalist rounds.
This 16-week competition (February 20 - June 10, 2025) is an unparalleled opportunity for your startup to connect with industry leaders and move your venture forward. A detailed competition schedule, FAQ, and more are available at thenextchallenge.com.
“Not only did the recognition we receive as finalists lay the groundwork for many connections and partnerships with journalism organizations, but the experience also served as a catalyst for further innovation between Rolli and another finalist. This collaboration has been pivotal in shaping our path, and today we can trace some of our proudest achievements back to the Next Challenge for Media & Journalism.”
- Nick Toso, Founder & CEO of Rolli, Next Challenge finalist
Award Divisions
Startups can apply in one (and only one) of three divisions. Detailed descriptions of the divisions are provided in the links below. An additional Grand Prize Award of up to $25,000 will be given to a Division Winner selected by the Grand Prize Jury.
Additional awards will be given to outstanding Division Finalists, including:
Startups can apply in one (and only one) of three divisions. Detailed descriptions of the divisions are provided in the links below. An additional Grand Prize Award of up to $25,000 will be given to a Division Winner selected by the Grand Prize Jury.
- Future of Local Journalism Award - This grant of up to $50,000 will fund an innovative startup serving a specific local or regional geography, filling a gap in existing local news services.
- NewsTech Award - This grant of up to $50,000 will fund a startup building digital tools to address the critical tech needs of journalists and local news organizations.
- Open-Source Intelligence Award - This grant of up to $50,000 will support a startup leveraging publicly available data to strengthen the fact-finding, verification, and accountability capabilities of local journalists.
Additional awards will be given to outstanding Division Finalists, including:
- Vision Award - This grant of up to $12,500 is awarded to a finalist with a bold vision to reinvent media and journalism.
- Trust Award - This grant of up to $12,500 is awarded to a finalist investing in transparency and engagement efforts that build stronger relationships with low-trust audiences.
Who is elegible?
The following are the criteria for eligibility in the Next Challenge:
Previous Next Challenge Division Award winners and companies where American Public Media Group (APMG) has an ownership stake are not eligible to apply. Refer to the official rules for detailed eligibility requirements.
The following are the criteria for eligibility in the Next Challenge:
- Legally incorporated for-profit and non-profit media startups based in the United States of America and U.S. Territories. A venture is considered U.S.-based if it is legally incorporated in the U.S. and if the majority of employees and/or contractors live in the United States.
- Ventures that were founded no more than five years prior to the application deadline (no earlier than March 18, 2020).
- Ventures that have earned less than US$1,000,000 (gross revenue including philanthropic support) in the twelve months ending December 31, 2024. This does not include investment dollars.
- Ventures that have made progress against their concept (e.g., a working prototype, minimum viable product).
Previous Next Challenge Division Award winners and companies where American Public Media Group (APMG) has an ownership stake are not eligible to apply. Refer to the official rules for detailed eligibility requirements.
How are applications judged?
APMG, with support from independent judges with media, investing, and/or subject matter expertise, will review all eligible entries and score them according to the following weighted criteria:
APMG, with support from independent judges with media, investing, and/or subject matter expertise, will review all eligible entries and score them according to the following weighted criteria:
- Division Fit: How well is the startup addressing the needs that the division exists to address? Detailed descriptions provided on our website for the Future of Local Journalism Division, NewsTech Division, and Open-Source Intelligence Division. (30%)
- Innovation: Is this an innovative idea? Does the startup propose a novel, disruptive, or unique business concept? (20%)
- Audience Impact: Does the startup have a well-defined target market? Will this venture have a significant positive impact on its intended audience? (20%)
- Business Model: Does the plan indicate how the product/service will be distributed, have a realistic revenue and pricing model, and demonstrate potential to grow sustainably? Is there evidence that the business concept works? (20%)
- Team: Does the team have relevant experience and understand their target audience(s)? (10%)
Hosting Organization
The Next Challenge is a program of Glen Nelson Center at American Public Media Group.
Glen Nelson Center identifies, elevates, and invests in emerging media & journalism ventures led by diverse and visionary founders. To date, the Center has supported the work of 600+ startups and hundreds of entrepreneurs through investments, competitions and incubator/accelerator programs.
American Public Media Group (APMG) is the parent organization for American Public Media®, Minnesota Public Radio®, and Southern California Public Radio. Its mission is creating the future of public media by amplifying voices to inform, include, and inspire.
This year’s competition is aligned with Press Forward, a national coalition of funders investing more than $500 million to strengthen local newsrooms, close longstanding gaps in journalism coverage, advance public policy that expands access to local news, and to scale the infrastructure the sector needs to thrive.
The Next Challenge is a program of Glen Nelson Center at American Public Media Group.
Glen Nelson Center identifies, elevates, and invests in emerging media & journalism ventures led by diverse and visionary founders. To date, the Center has supported the work of 600+ startups and hundreds of entrepreneurs through investments, competitions and incubator/accelerator programs.
American Public Media Group (APMG) is the parent organization for American Public Media®, Minnesota Public Radio®, and Southern California Public Radio. Its mission is creating the future of public media by amplifying voices to inform, include, and inspire.
This year’s competition is aligned with Press Forward, a national coalition of funders investing more than $500 million to strengthen local newsrooms, close longstanding gaps in journalism coverage, advance public policy that expands access to local news, and to scale the infrastructure the sector needs to thrive.