The First Flight Venture Center in RTP and Virginia-based Launch Place are teaming up to put on “The Big Launch Challenge” in which startups will compete for top prizes of up to $15,000 each.
“We are excited to be working with The Launch Place on the The Big Launch Challenge,” said Andy Schwab, president of First Flight Venture Center, in announcing the event Wednesday. “This is the first event in this region to bring together entrepreneurs and start-ups from two states, all in an effort to help find good ideas and build sustainable businesses.”
First Flight, which launched in 1992, is the largest new business incubator in the Triangle.
The Launch Place, which is based in Danville, Va., works with entrepreneurs in the Dan River Region of that state.
Their first collaborative event is open to startups focused on:
- Nanotechnology
- Green technology
- Information technology
- Alternative energy
- Advanced manufacturing and materials
- Medical device
Companies will compete first in an online competition.
Five finalists will be selected to pitch to investors at the Institute for Advanced Learning & Research in Danville on May 22.
Judges will be from the seed fund advisory board for The Launch Place.
The top two firms could win as much as $15,000 each.
“The Big Launch Challenge is slated to become one of the foremost events for startups in the region,” said Eva Doss, CEO of The Launch Place. “Not only will the competition provide entrepreneurs with prize money, it also will serve as a platform for them to learn about The Launch Place’s unique entrepreneurship services and on-going investment opportunities in Danville, Virginia.”
To register for the event and for more information, visit: http://thebiglaunch2014.iStart.org
