Funds for Companies

Grants and Resources for Sustainability

You are here: Home / Events / Big Launch Challenge Pitch Competition (US)

Big Launch Challenge Pitch Competition (US)

Deadline: 30 August 2024

Applications are now open for Big Launch Challenge Pitch Competition to provide early-stage startups the opportunity to pitch their ideas to investors, and for The Launch Place Pre-Seed and Seed Fund to generate deal flow.

The Big Launch Challenge, one of the Southeast’s most premiere and established business pitch competitions, is returning for its 12th consecutive year. This is a unique opportunity for startups to not only pitch their ideas to a live panel of expert judges, but also for angel investors and entrepreneurs to network and learn alongside one another.

Prize Information 

  • The top 10 finalists will have 10 minutes to pitch their business plans to a panel of investor judges followed by a short question and answer block. Since 2012, the Launch Place has awarded over $200,000 in BLC prize money to 19 start-up companies.
  • Competition winners will also receive access to several resources provided by The Launch Place including training, networking, mentorship and early-stage prototyping.
  • The final two winners will be announced at the event:
    • 1st – up to $10,000
    • 2nd – up to $5,000

Eligibility Criteria 

  • Looking for companies:
    • in Software Engineering, Healthcare, Healthcare IT, Lean Manufacturing, E-commerce, Biomedical Engineering, Cleantech, Smart Manufacturing, IoT (Residential and C&I), B2B Solutions, Consumer Packaged Goods (CPG), Medical Equipment, E-Commerce Supply Chain, IoT Wearables, AgriTech, EdTech, FinTech, Marketplaces, Marketing Tech
    • located in Charlotte (United States), Charlottesville (United States), Durham (United States), Raleigh (United States), Richmond (United States)
    • incorporated
    • idea, prototype, users or paying users stage
    • Angel, Pre-seed or Seed
    • have raised funding or not
    • currently raising or not raising funds
    • have revenue or not
  • The 2024 Big Launch Challenge is open to early-stage companies in the internet of things, information technology, software, nano or green technology, alternative energy, advanced manufacturing, AgTech, advanced materials and medical devices industries. Companies who receive awards will also have access to a number of valuable resources including education, networking, team creation and mentorship.
  • The Big Launch Challenge is open to the following industries:
    • Nano Technology
    • Green Technology
    • Alternative Energy
    • Advanced Manufacturing
    • Advanced Materials
    • Medical Devices
    • Information Technology
    • Software

For more information, visit The Launch Place.