About a year ago we reported that Innovate!Europe was holding a workshop and networking event in Israel, through which one startup would be selected to participate in Guidewire STUDIO, an in-residence business accelerator in Silicon Valley.
Well, Innovate!Europe is coming back to Israel, but this time as the Innovate!2010 global competition. The goal of the competition is to identify and promote up-and-coming technology and media startups. They’re looking for early-stage companies that “have what it takes to be named one of the world’s most promising startups.”
Here’s more info from an email they sent around:
The top 100 companies will be featured in a prestigious list known as the Innovate!100 – and the best of the best will receive a share of prizes valued at nearly $250,000. In addition, every startup that applies will receive promotional exposure and free training designed to improve their chances of success.
Participating startups will be evaluated using Guidewire Group’s proprietary G/Score assessment methodology, which is based on our team’s experience vetting more than 20,000 startups for DEMO and Guidewire Group. Finalists will then be invited to deliver rapid-fire pitches in front of a panel of expert judges and audience members at one of our Innovate!2010 Pitch Slams.
We have scheduled Innovate!2010 Pitch Slams in over a dozen European cities between March 1 and March 29, and additional events will be held in the United States in the coming months. There will also be an online evaluation process for finalists that are not able to attend in person.
The Innovate!2010 Pitch Slams will be held in a bunch of cities, including Tel Aviv on March 15. To apply go to the Innovate!2010 application page. Here are some bits about the application stages according to that page:
Step 1: Startups apply online to receive:
- 2 tickets to an Innovate!2010 Pitch Slams (worth over $100 USD)
- Access to online pitch training
- Promotion to local journalists and through a network of over 5,000 news sites
- The chance to be chosen to pitch at a local Pitch Slam to win a place on the Innovate!100, cash and other prizes.
There is a $75 application fee – approximately €54 – which will not be charged until you complete the form.
Guidewire Group’s analysts will evaluate all applications and invite 10-15 Finalists to pitch at a local Pitch Slam.
Step 2: Local Pitch Slams take place
Startups invited to pitch at the Innovate! Pitch Slams will be notified by email 7-10 days before the event where:
- Each finalist pitches for 5 minutes
- Each company is evaluated by our team of expert judges and provided with a G-Score.
- The Most Promising Startup of the night is chosen.
Finalists who are not able to attend their Pitch Slam will be invited to participate in a web-based pitch session.
Step 3: Promotion of the Innovate!100
Pitch videos for all of the Innovate!100 Finalists will be used to promote pitching companies to local journalists and a network of over 5,000 news sites and via the Innovate! Connections Program. Startups with the top G/Scores will be named to the Innovate!100 list for 2010 and the Innovate! Challenges prizes will be awarded.
I think this is a great opportunity for some early-stage startups to get the resources and support they may need to take their company to the next level.
Good luck to all the applicants!