Applications Now Open through August 17

DC Startup Week’s heavily anticipated annual Pitch Competition will look a little different for 2020, but at the end of the day, the result will still be the same – a unique opportunity for a select number of emerging companies to earn cash and in-kind prizes. 

Applications are now open for the competition, in which up to 10 qualified entities will present on Monday evening in the hopes of emerging as one of the top five contenders for the closing presentation which will take place on Friday afternoon, September 18. The pitch competition will be among the closing events to DC Startup Week, which will run – entirely online – from Monday, September 14 through Friday, September 18. 

The contest is open to all early stage-startups in the DMV. The competition’s expert industry panel will judge the pitch battle on Monday night and select five of the ten to advance to the final round of the pitch competition. Each judge will offer support, mentorship, counsel and guidance to create the best pitch. At the closing pitch competition, the live audience will then proceed to an online poll to determine the winner. 

“Startups and emerging entities are impacted by the pandemic more so than established companies,” said DC Startup Week Event Organizer Rachel Koretsky. “Our Startup Week Competition has traditionally helped not only those companies who emerge victorious, but really everybody who enters, as the registered companies all gain the benefit of direction, advice and advocacy from our judging panel of industry experts.” 

The competition is only one of a number of dynamic, business-centric elements that comprise DC Startup Week. “Our programming provides valuable tools and resources that our constituents need right now – perhaps even more than ever – if they are to grow and survive under these unprecedented conditions.,” Koretsky said. “By attending our weeklong presentations, participants will gain resources and information that will help them grow their businesses, with an added emphasis this year on surviving and perhaps even thriving in the age of Coronavirus.”

According to Koretsky, DC Startup Week 2020 will deliver programs covering everything from branding and marketing to technology, growth strategies, fundraising, social impact, lead generation and more, with industry luminaries and business leaders sharing their expertise and connections. For registration or additional information – including a link to the DC Startup Week Pitch Competition – please visit. www.dcstartupweek.org.