9th Annual Pitch Battle and Summer Party
Details
It's baaaaack! Want to up the energy of your TechChicago Week experience? Startup Grind Chicago is proud to bring you the 9th Annual Summer Launch Party, featuring THE most unique pitch competition you've ever seen.
We've once again partnered with Startup World Cup as an official World Cup Regional Semifinal to raise the stakes of our pitch battle.
Plus - Food, drinks, and live DJ'ing from DJ Don Khaitan.
It's a night of great community vibes, great times, and the world's greatest pitch competition.
COMPLETE YOUR PITCH APPLICATION HERE
HOW IT WORKS:
We're selecting up to 8 startups to pitch on stage.
All attendees get $1,000 of fake money at the door.
Each startup gets 3 minutes to pitch with NO slides, followed by Q&A from our judges panel.
After all the startups have pitched, the founders have 10 minutes to go into the crowd and try to secure YOUR 'investment'! You decide how you'd like to dole out your fake money. Whoever has 'raised' the most money after the 10-minute scramble is declared the winner!
The winning startup wins a cash prize, a championship belt courtesy of CodeLaunch, and entry into the Startup World Cup Final on October 17th in Silicon Valley for a shot at a $1 million investment! Plus, global media coverage and other great prizes too.
JOIN US!
Who: Founders, Co-founders, Team Members & Startup Enthusiasts
What: 9th Annual SG Chicago Summer Launch Party
Where: Workbox LOOP location, 125 S. Clark Street
When: Thursday, July 24th, 6:00-9:00 pm CDT
This is an official TechChicago Week partner event.
Event Sponsored by CodeLaunch, the equity-free accelerator providing software development, a massive pitch stage, exposure to hundreds of investors and stakeholders, and the opportunity to win capital investment -- all for FREE -- all wrapped into a Venturetainment spectacle.
Apply for the CodeLaunch USA regional today (application deadline July 6)
WHAT IS THE STARTUP WORLD CUP?
Startup World Cup is a prestigious global conference and competition designed to foster innovation and entrepreneurship by bringing together startups, venture capitalists, entrepreneurs, and top-tier technology CEOs from around the world. Organized by Pegasus Tech Ventures, the competition features over 100 regional events across six continents, culminating in a Grand Finale held in San Francisco.
Startups participating in the regional events compete for a chance to win a spot in the Grand Finale, where they then compete for a $1,000,000 investment prize. This prize can significantly boost their ventures through financial support and global recognition. The event also offers ample opportunities for networking, corporate partnerships, and insights from industry experts, making it a comprehensive platform for startups to accelerate their growth and impact.
For more information, visit the Startup World Cup official website.
Agenda
6:00 PM: Doors Open & Community Networking
You'll get a wad of fake cash when you walk in to be used during the competition. Grab a beverage and a bite and mingle while DJ Don Khaitan spins the 1s and 2s
6:45 PM: Welcome from Startup Grind, CodeLaunch, & Startup World Cup
Formal welcome from Startup Grind and intro to Startup World Cup. Plus hear how startups are getting free software dev without giving up equity from CodeLaunch!
7:15 PM: Pitch Battle
Up to 8 highly curated startups will have 3 minutes to impress the crowd and 2 minutes to answer the tough questions from our select judges.
8:00 PM: The Scramble
Get out your fake cash! Pitching founders will work the crowd to try and secure YOUR 'investment'.
8:10 PM: Count the Money!
We'll count up each startup's wad of cash to determine the winner.
8:20 PM: Winner Declared & Afterparty
The winning team is announced, photo opp, & let the afterparty begin!
9:00 PM: Keep the Party Going!
We'll head to a nearby pub to keep it going and continue the TechChicago Week celebration!
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Host
Rajiv Nathan - Startup Grind Chicago / Startup Hypeman (Chapter Director / Founder)
Known as the Heavyweight Champion of Story, Rajiv 'RajNATION' Nathan is Founder of Startup Hypeman, helping growing companies not suck at telling their story so they stand out to their audience, stand apart from competitors, and break through in their category. He was named an ""Agent of Change"" by Huffington Post, has given a TED Talk, and been featured in Inc, Forbes, and more. He's also a hip…
Judge
Jason W. Taylor - CodeLaunch (President & Founder)
Jason W. Taylor is the founder of CodeLaunch—the only startup accelerator in the world that provides founders with FREE professional software development to accelerate their digital product and venture without giving up equity.
Since 2012, CodeLaunch has redefined startup acceleration across the U.S., Canada, and Mexico with its unique “venturetainment” experience—a live, high-energy pi…
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Global Partner
Gold
CodeLaunch (https://codelaunch.com/)
CodeLaunch is the ONLY equity-free accelerator providing software development, a massive pitch stage, exposure to hundreds of investors and stakeholders, and the opportunity to win capital investment -- all for FREE -- all wrapped into a Venturetainment spectacle.
Partners
Startup World Cup (https://startupworldcup.io)
The Startup World Cup is the largest global startup conference and pitch competition where 70+ cities send their champion team to the San Francisco Grand Finale, to compete for a $1,000,000 investment prize.
System Seltzers (https://systemseltzers.com/)
System is a lifestyle, one that provides something for everyone - whether you are engaging with alcohol or not. The First Inclusive Drinking System reflects how our community drinks both today and tomorrow. We see a beverage future that includes alcoholic, non-alcoholic and forward-thinking options. Each 9pk of SYSTEM SELTZER includes (3) 12oz cans of 0% ABV, 5% ABV and 8% ABV.
Natural Flavors and Gluten Free
Electrolyte Charged
Startup Hypeman (https://www.startuphypeman.com)
Startup Hypeman helps startups NOT suck at telling their story so they stand out to their audience and stand apart from competitors. Founders and CEOs at startups of all stages collaborate with us to convert their Vision into pitches for capital raises, customer acquisition, and category creation so their audience doesn’t acknowledge them as the best, they acknowledge them as the ONLY.
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Startup Grind is a global startup community designed to educate, inspire, and connect entrepreneurs. We host monthly events in more than 600 cities and 125+ countries featuring successful local founders, innovators, educators and investors who share personal stories and lessons learned on the road to building great companies. Our monthly fireside chat interviews, startup mixers and annual conferences provide ample opportunities to connect with amazing startups and the people behind them, tap into a strong support network, form meaningful connections and gain inspiration for the startup journey ahead. For more information visit StartupGrind.com or follow us on twitter @StartupGrind.
Complete your event RSVP here: https://www.startupgrind.com/events/details/startup-grind-chicago-presents-9th-annual-pitch-battle-and-summer-party/.
9th Annual Pitch Battle and Summer Party