Deadline: 7-Nov-21
Applications are now open for the Next Challenge for Media & Journalism, a national startup competition seeking groundbreaking for-profit and nonprofit startups that will reinvent media in the coming decade.
The Next Challenge is committed to promoting racial and gender equity in media, embracing the demographic shift occurring in their communities and investing in startups with diverse teams.
One goal of the competition is that the majority of all judges, mentors, and first-round founders identify as female, BIPOC, and/or LGBTQ+.
Funding Information
- More than $100,000 in cash grants and other benefits will be awarded to media startups with $0 – $1 million in annual revenue.
- Cash grants of up to $20,000 will be awarded to startups in four divisions. One grand prize winner will receive a total award of up to $50,000.
- News & Information Division supported by Google News Initiative: up to $20,000 will be awarded to a startup or startups that provide access to accurate news, increase media literacy, and break down barriers between communities and factual information.
- Civic Engagement Division supported by Knight Foundation: up to $20,000 will be awarded to a startup or startups that bridge diverse and disparate communities, promote honest civil discourse, and give audiences new tools to gain insight from others.
- Distribution Channels Division supported by WarnerMedia: up to $20,000 will be awarded to a startup or startups creating new digital platforms, revolutionizing the way media content is delivered across the country and around the globe.
- Student Ventures Division supported by Temple University/Lenfest Institute: up to $10,000 will be awarded to a student-led news & information, civic engagement, or distribution channel ventures or ventures.
- An additional cash award of up to $30,000 will be given to a Grand Prize winner or winners selected by the Grand Prize Jury from among the Division Award Winners.
Eligibility Criteria
- Nonprofit and for-profit media startups based in the United States of America and U.S. Territories. A venture is considered U.S.-based if it is legally incorporated in the U.S. (not required for the student division) and if the majority of employees and/or contractors live in the United States.
- Teams of at least two people (Point of Contact + one team member)
- Ventures that have earned less than US$1,000,000 (gross revenue including philanthropic support) in the twelve months ending September 30th, 2021. This does not include investment dollars.
- Ventures that have made progress against their concept (e.g., a working prototype, minimum viable product.)
- Student Venture Division startups must be led by individuals currently enrolled in an undergraduate or graduate program in a U.S.-based college or university (proof of student status will be required for all Student Venture Division finalists.)
For more information, visit https://www.thenextchallenge.com/