Deadline: March 11, 2019 00:00 CET| Apply here
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Eligibility: You must live in South Florida (Miami-Dade, Broward, Monroe and Palm Beach counties). If you are entering an existing business, it must be based in South Florida. Entries must be for proposed for-profit businesses or firms in the startup phase. Sorry, no nonprofits.

Miami Herald Startup Pitch Competition 2019

Startup wizards and budding entrepreneurs, take note. It’s time for the new Miami Herald Startup Pitch Competition, sponsored by Florida International University’s Eugenio Pino & Family Global Entrepreneurship Center.

Whether you’re an entrepreneur whose startup seeks that extra edge or a teen with a dream, this year’s competition is for you. But if you’re thinking it’s just like years past, you definitely need to read on.

How to apply?

Forget those old narrative business plans. This year, the competition is asking for pitch decks only, with 12-20 slides for the FIU and Community tracks, and 8-15 slides for the Teen Track.

The FIU Track — for students, faculty and alumni of Florida International University — will remain the same as in years past. The one change: You’ll be submitting a pitch deck, not a narrative business plan.

To enter, competitors must submit a pitch deck containing 12-20 slides (for Community and FIU tracks) and 8-15 slides (for the Teen Track.) The deck should explain the following:

• What problem is business solving?
• What is the solution?
• Who is the customer?
• What stage of development is it currently in?
• Who are the members of your team and what expertise does each bring?
• What, if any, technology is required?
• How will the business make money? (i.e., define the business model and revenue streams)
• What is your marketing plan? (Details are required; “social media” is not enough)
• What are your costs and basic final projections? When do you project to break even?
• Current investment and revenues (for Community Track only)

Pitch-decks will be used to evaluate all plans. Those judged as finalists in each track will compete in a live pitch competition before a panel of judges.

Who should apply?

• You must live in South Florida (Miami-Dade, Broward, Monroe and Palm Beach counties). If you are entering an existing business, it must be based in South Florida
• Think of your plan as a meaty executive summary, offering just the highlights of your business plan and presented in a pitch-deck format
• Entries must be for proposed for-profit businesses or firms in the startup phase. Sorry, no nonprofits
• If you entered the Business Plan Challenge in past years and were not one of the top three winners in the track, you may enter your plan again as long as you meet the other criteria
• Multiple entries from one person are allowed if they are different business ideas

Interested in applying for the Miami Herald Startup Pitch Competition 2019? Register your participation by following the application link and taking the suggested steps.

For more opportunities, check our opportunities section and subscribe to our weekly newsletters.