Calling all innovators and entrepreneurs! Don’t miss out on these six opportunities to pitch and claim a share of over $27,000 in funding up for grabs.
PRIZE: $1,000 | DEADLINE: AUGUST 12
Startup Night at Arvest Ballpark
On August 24, Startup Junkie and the Northwest Arkansas Naturals minor league baseball club are teaming up to host Startup Night at Arvest Ballpark during the Naturals’ game against the Springfield Cardinals.
Startup Night is a chance for local startups and small businesses to have the opportunity to pitch their products or services via video submission. The top 3 contestants selected by a panel of judges will have their pitches broadcast to all the fans in attendance during the baseball game. The fans will text to vote for their favorite pitch, and the top vote-getter will take home a check for $1,000.
Submission Guidelines: 1) video must be 60 seconds or less, 2) submit via Youtube to caleb@startupjunkie.org (please include your name, business idea name, and location with the video submission), and 3) top 3 finalists will re-record a 30-second clip of their pitch to be broadcast during the game.
FUNDING: $10,000 | DEADLINE: AUGUST 15
2022 NWA Tech Summit Pitch Competition
The NWA Tech Summit announced the addition of a top prize of $10,000 to this year’s Pitch Competition. Sponsored by Plug and Play Tech Center, Venture Noire and Riviera Partners, the Pitch Competition will be held during the conference on October 17-18 and is designed for entrepreneurs working in supply chain, health and wellness, or sustainability.
Interested applicants are invited to submit a brief pitch summary, a two-minute video pitch and three slides by August 15.
FUNDING: $5,000 | DEADLINE: AUGUST 16
Builders + Backers Idea Accelerator
The Builders + Backers Idea Accelerator program is an onramp to entrepreneurship for anyone in the community with a novel, creative or innovative idea and a desire to learn how to bring it to life.
This fall, the cohort of participants will take part in a 90-day, virtual program to learn world-class entrepreneurial approaches alongside an incredible group of mentors. Powered by Heartland Forward, the program is free to participants and includes access to $5,000 in non-dilutive Pebble Funds to help put the ideas into action.
PRIZE: $5,000 | DEADLINE: AUGUST 26
Techstars Startup Weekend Northwest Arkansas
Over the weekend of August 26-28, learn how to think, work, and build like a startup in 54 thrilling hours. Techstars Startup Weekend is an exciting and immersive foray into the world of startups. Over an action-packed three days, participants will meet the very best mentors, investors, co-founders and sponsors to show them how to get more done faster — and, maybe even start that business.
Teams will form around selected ideas in the main areas of Outdoor Recreation, Web3, and General, and will use the weekend to construct a functioning prototype, showcase, and pitch a presentation for a chance to win $5,000!
PRIZE: $5,000 | DEADLINE: SEPTEMBER 6
Cureate Fall 2022 Cohort
In partnership with FORGE, Inc., the longest revolving community loan fund in Arkansas, Cureate will provide three, free 10-week courses aimed at assisting food & beverage small business owners who are growing in or are looking to expand their operations to NW Arkansas.
The courses are intended for participants with gross revenues between $30,000 and $750,000 and are targeted at food entrepreneurs of all stripes, from farmers to operators of food trucks. Additionally, Cureate has a focus on supporting underrepresented founders, which includes women and BIPOC-owned businesses.
The 10 entrepreneurs chosen will take part in a pitch demonstration at the end of each cohort for the chance to win $5,000. Additionally, there will be a concluding in-person “Vendor Fair” where potential clients can try out the products made by the companies.
PRIZE: $1,000 | DEADLINE: SEPTEMBER 8
Northwest AR Fall 2022 All Ideas Pitch Contest
EforAll Northwest Arkansas promotes economic and social impact through inclusive entrepreneurship. One of the ways EforAll carries out its mission is through local Pitch Contests.
The next EforAll Pitch Contest will take place on September 22. These lively two-hour events offer under-represented entrepreneurs the opportunity to pitch their business idea to a friendly audience and receive valuable feedback from experienced judges. Business ideas across a wide range of industries are encouraged!
A total of four cash prizes will be given out (1st place @ $1000, 2nd place @ $750, 3rd place @ $500 as well as a $500 Fan Favorite prize).
If you have any questions or need assistance with the application, send Diana Rubi an email at diana.rubi@eforall.org.
