Girls in Tech Startup Challenge 2022 (up to $35,000 in prizes)

Applications are now open for the Girls in Tech Startup Challenge 2022. Here’s how to apply:

Deadline: November 25, 2022

Applications for the Girls in Tech Startup Challenge 2022 are now open. The Girls in Tech Startup Challenge has helped many female founders access funding, mentorship, and media exposure over the last 8 years. And perhaps more importantly – it’s given them the nudge they needed to properly ideate, map out, and prepare their product for launch to market!

If you’re sitting on a brilliant idea, then the Girls in Tech Startup Challenge is your chance to give it legs. Finalists get cash prizes to help them grow and launch the business, while all submissions benefit from exposure to the VC community and mentoring.

Prizes

1st Place: $20,000
2nd Place: $10,000
3rd Place: $5,000

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.

Judging Criteria

Business Description:
- How well was the concept explained?
Market Analysis:
- Is there a genuine need for the product?
- How well was the target market defined?
Product Analysis:
- Is the description of the product clear?
- Is the product feasible?
Competition:
- Has the startup clearly identified its potential competitors and defined their strengths and weaknesses?
Marketing Strategy:
- How well defined and realistic is the startup’s current marketing plan?
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?

Application

The following are requirements for application:

Submission form
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.
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:
- 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.
- Vision: Explain your vision and the mission of your company. Keep it short and straight to the point.
- Unique Value Proposition: What makes your solution different from other companies who are addressing the same customer problem?
- About the Team: Highlight key team member expertise and how these will contribute to the startup.
- Milestones: Talk about any growth or milestones you have achieved so far and how a new funding round might expedite that growth.
- Business Model: Talk about how the business works or will work? How does the business make or will make money? Do you have a marketing strategy?
- Competition: Who are your competitors and what makes you better than them?