SPARK Tank Pitch Competition – US

SPARK creates opportunities for entrepreneurs. The team connects likeminded individuals, cultivates a community around innovation & entrepreneurship, provides a platform to access valuable resources and bridges the gap between investors, businesses, sponsors and entrepreneurs. SPARK drives innovation by facilitating opportunities for the entrepreneur community that will catapult them forward to achieve their vision of the future.

SPARK Hollywood, FL has brought a fresh wave of innovation to the burgeoning business community. To build on its success, and shift to a virtual approach, the team has revised its platform hosting innovative events to ignite new ideas and inspire entrepreneurial growth.

For 2024, SPARK Hollywood, FL will host two events: Launch Your SPARK and the premier SPARK Tank Pitch Competition. Through this approach, entrepreneurs will have a platform to cultivate new, dynamic ideas and sharpen their skills while being inspired.

Goals and Objectives

• Provide an opportunity for early-stage entrepreneurs to learn about resources available in the City of Hollywood and South Florida.
• Ignite entrepreneurship through inspirational programs (Launch Your SPARK) strategically developed for entrepreneurs to build a solid foundation that will drive their innovation forward.
• SPARK bridges the gap between investors, businesses, sponsors and entrepreneurs – promoting community involvement and continued economic growth & diversity.
• Facilitate a competitive platform (SPARK Tank Pitch Competition) for selected contestants to pitch their idea or invention to a panel comprised of local investors and business professionals.

Why should I apply?

• Besides the opportunity to win up to $5,000 as a cash prize – presenting your venture to the SPARK Hollywood, FL audience and supporters gives you a competitive edge. Gain valuable new referrals, leads, and contacts through premium brand visibility. Inform the business community about your mission, positioning and outreach. Provide details about your business to potential clients and investors.

What should I expect once I am a finalist?

• The contestants who are selected as semi-finalists will be notified two weeks prior to the competition and will be provided further instructions to prepare for the event.
• Semi-finalists will present their pitches to a panel of judges on the day of the event. The pitch order will be determined by a random drawing during the competition.
• Call Backs for Interview by SPARK Selection Committee
  • April 23rd
  • Virtual Coaching Sessions
  • May 2nd & 16th
• Finalists Prep for Pitch
  • In-Person Prep: May 29th, 2023

Applicants

• There are no “typical applicants” – entrepreneurs and ideas come from every walk of life, every industry sector, and every age group. Contestants can be individuals or a team developing an idea. Some entrepreneurs may have a new business which is already marketing and selling while others may only have a business concept and are working to get to market.
• Ideas and innovative products may be at any stage of development from creation of concept to a finished product or business. Selected contestants will have the opportunity to give a three-minute presentation of their innovative idea/business to a panel of judges comprised of local community leaders, investors and professionals. The judges will select the contestants whose ideas will be awarded first, second, and third place prizes based on a variety of criteria.

What criteria does spark look for from applicants?

• Applicants who will be selected has finalists will be judged through various criteria, including:
  • Ability to grab and hold attention – set the “hook”
  • Clearly defined and articulated problem and solution
  • Clearly defined, articulated and quantified market
  • Demonstration of venture’s ability to succeed
• All pitches must be the original work of the presenting individual or team members.
• Presenters will have an opportunity to display their idea through a power point presentation or by demonstrating the physical product on stage.
• The live pitch presentation shall be no longer than 3 minutes.
• The presenters must be prepared to answer questions posed by the judges.
• The presentations will be subject to other rules and requirements determined by the event organizers.

For more information, visit SPARK Hollywood, FL.