| Event Start Date: March 28, 2024 | Event End Date: March 28, 2024 | Event Venue: Hybrid |
Important dates
- Startup application deadline – 2.18.24
- Semi-finals – 3.14.24
- Finals – 3.28.24
Supported by
Corporate
Venture Capital
Tim & Stephanie Barry
Angel Investors
Pitch Competition
Breakdown
Applications closed
1.22.24 - 2.18.24
The applicants are screened and the top 20 are notified if they will move to the semi-finals. The competition is open to 1871 members & non-members across the US. See eligibility before applying.
Semi-finals
3.14.24 | Virtual
The top 20 founders will virtually pitch to a panel for a chance to win a finalist spot in the final phase. Only the top 5 will advance to our final event. This round will be closed to the public.
Finals
3.28.24 | PM CST | Hybrid
Top 5 finalists will participate by pitching to a panel of judges consisting of business leaders and major VC’s in our network for funding & awards. Hybrid options will be available for those pitching as a finalist and attending as audience members.
🏆 💰 🎉
Funding & awards
The top 5 finalists will compete for the chance to receive:
- $30k minimum committed prize money, which will be distributed between finalists at the final event, consisting of both cash & equity investments from our sponsoring VC partners.
- $20k in development credits from Aloa, which will be distributed between finalists at the final event.
- 6 months of virtual membership to 1871 for each finalist.
Eligibility to enter
Free to enter and open to the public, no 1871 membership needed!
- Need to have a deep understanding of the problem they seek to solve and for whom
- Clear definition of their user and key value propositions
- Have developed a highly effective go-to-market strategy and have tested and verified these strategies
- Clear and defined business model that ties into the overall strategy of the business
- Need to show some traction with your business through customers success
- Applicants are no longer eligible if you have already closed a series A funding round
About WMNtech @ 1871
Our WMNtech initiative supports women-identifying entrepreneurs & leaders with regular programming, tailored resources, mentorship, & community events designed to help them embrace their unique strengths & break down the barriers they face.
Why is it important?
On average, less than 3% of all VC investment went to women-led companies and the average deal size for women-founded or co-founded companies is less than half of only male-founded startups.
Our WMNtech Pitch Competition This event activates our community of early-stage startups, corporate partners, venture capitalists and the wider tech ecosystem. As a collective we aim to deepen the pool of funds that women-identifying founders can access and receive.