What Are You Waiting For? Take the Challenge!
Got a great startup idea? Ready to pitch your plan? Take the Challenge: Startup Startup Challenge Monterey Bay. In its 12th year, the Startup Challenge has had over 840 entrants who have won over $400,000 in prizes. Startup Challenge companies have raised more than $35 million in funding!
1. What is the Startup Challenge Monterey Bay?
The Startup Challenge is a competitive startup acceleration process to connect you to knowledge and resources you need to be successful. It is the premiere Monterey Bay new venture competition!
2. What do you get from participating in the Startup Challenge?
Workshops to develop your business pitch
Pitch your idea to a panel of business experts and get valuable feedback
Learn how to analyze your business and create a great business plan
Become a Finalist and get mentoring and advanced workshops
Compete for prizes
Get great exposure to the community for business development and funding
Get on the Fast Track to other business resources and programs
3. Who can enter?
New businesses (less than two years old) based in Monterey, San Benito, or Santa Cruz counties.
4. What kinds of businesses compete?
Venture (businesses intended to scale and provide venture-investor level returns)
Social Venture (businesses with a significant social mission)
Main Street (small businesses and sole proprietorships)
Student (students in middle school through graduate schools)
5. How has the pandemic affected Startup Challenge Monterey Bay? How is this year different from last year?
Last year, the Startup Challenge team had to quickly pivot and adapt the program into an online format within 3 weeks. The Qualifying Round and Final Round programs were successfully hosted online through Zoom. This year, you’ll compete on our new, online event platform, startupchallengemb.com. The platform will feature the finalist companies and will broadcast the final pitch sessions (aka the Otter Tank) and announcement of winners. Save the date to see the Final Pitches online on May 7, 2021!
About Startup Challenge Monterey Bay
The Startup Challenge began in 2010 as the Monterey Bay Regional Business Plan Competition. The Challenge was created by the Marina Tech Cluster, a business incubator located at the MBEST Center in Marina. The Marina Tech Cluster closed in 2013, and the Challenge was moved to its current home at the Institute for Innovation & Economic Development in the College of Business at CSUMB.
Over 840 businesses have entered the Challenge. In 2020, a record 132 businesses entered the Challenge, and 26 advanced to the Final Round. All of the previous winners of the Venture division are still active businesses, and they have raised more than $35,000,000 in funding. Two of the earlier winners, Yoderm (now Apostrophe) (2012) and HeavyConnect (2016), have been accepted into 500 Startups, a world-renowned Silicon Valley accelerator. Main Street winners who have gone on to launch successful businesses include Nece’s Gluten Free Baked Goods in Monterey, Luma Yoga in Santa Cruz, New Bohemian Beer in Santa Cruz, Open Ground Studios in Seaside, and the Carmel Honey Company in Carmel, and many others.
Santa Cruz Works is a proud sponsor and on the planning committee of Startup Challenge Monterey Bay.
