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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, $250,000 will be awarded to early-stage startups serving media and journalism. Division finalists will receive a $3,000 stipend, and the division winner will receive a grant of up to $50,000. All division winners are eligible for an additional $25,000 Grand Prize Award.
Winners are selected from up to 18 Division Finalists, who will receive:
This 15-week competition (February 10 - May 28, 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, $250,000 will be awarded to early-stage startups serving media and journalism. Division finalists will receive a $3,000 stipend, and the division winner will receive a grant of up to $50,000. All division winners are eligible for an additional $25,000 Grand Prize Award.
Winners are selected from up to 18 Division Finalists, who will receive:
- A $3,000 stipend to acknowledge their time as a finalist and support their travel to San Francisco, CA for the 2026 National Awards Celebration. The celebration is part of the 2026 Media Impact Forum — a funder-only gathering that centers the most pressing issues and exciting solutions in media philanthropy today.
- Training opportunities with Next Challenge partners and industry leaders.
- A mentor with relevant startup, business, and/or industry experience who will help them refine their pitch deck and pitch video, which are evaluated to determine the award winners.
- A cohort of peer finalists for networking and collaboration.
This 15-week competition (February 10 - May 28, 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. Each division winner will receive a grant of up to $50,000 and will be eligible for an additional $25,000 Grand Prize. Detailed descriptions of the divisions are provided in the links below.
Additional awards will be given to outstanding Division Finalists, including:
Startups can apply in one (and only one) of three divisions. Each division winner will receive a grant of up to $50,000 and will be eligible for an additional $25,000 Grand Prize. Detailed descriptions of the divisions are provided in the links below.
- Cornerstone Award for Local News Infrastructure - presented to a technology startup building digital tools to address the critical needs of journalists and local news organizations
- Catalyst Award for Local News Innovation - presented to a groundbreaking nonprofit or for-profit news organization that represents a new way forward for local journalism in the United States.
- Pioneer Award for Creator Journalism - presented to an independent journalist using emerging digital platforms to strengthen civil discourse in their local community.
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 eligible?
Previous Next Challenge monetary 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.
Who is eligible for the Cornerstone and Catalyst awards?
- Legally incorporated for-profit and nonprofit 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.
- Projects with a fiscal sponsor may apply only if the project is intended to become its own independent company or nonprofit organization. The project may not be a program, lab, center, research initiative, or internal venture of a university, nonprofit, or company.
- Legally incorporated no more than ten years prior to the application deadline (no earlier than March 10, 2016).
- Earned less than US $1,000,000 (gross revenue including philanthropic support) in the twelve months ending December 31, 2025. This does not include investment dollars.
- Ventures that are (1) launched and/or actively publishing and (2) are able to provide access to their content, product, or service as part of their application.
Who is eligible to apply for the Pioneer award?
- U.S.-based independent creators (individuals or collaborations). Independent creators do not need to be legally incorporated.
- Independent creators that exercise editorial control over their own work and are not structurally employed by or contractually subordinate to a media institution. This work may not be a program, lab, center, research initiative, or internal venture of a university, nonprofit, or company.
- Earned less than US $1,000,000 (gross revenue including philanthropic support) through their publishing work in the twelve months ending December 31, 2025. This does not include investment dollars.
- Actively publishing and able to provide access to their content, product, or service as part of their application.
Previous Next Challenge monetary 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:
- Division Fit: Detailed descriptions provided on our website for the Cornerstone Award for Local News Infrastructure, Catalyst Award for Local News Innovation, and Pioneer Award for Local Creator Journalism. (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.
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.