New Jersey Entrepreneurs Can Now Join the ‘Challenge’ to Win $30,000 in Cash and Prizes

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Start Something Challenge business pitch competition for New Jersey entrepreneurs

I encourage everyone to take a chance at the $10,000 and start something with us this year.

Jersey City (PRWEB) June 13, 2014

On Monday Jersey City nonprofit Rising Tide Capital will open the submissions period for the third annual Start Something Challenge— a pitch competition and business strengthening opportunity with $30,000 in cash and prizes. New Jersey entrepreneurs have until noon on July 3 to submit a 30-second video commercial and a brief business description using the form on the Start Something Challenge website.

All participants must create their video using the free version of Animoto.com software. During the challenge, participants will leverage their networks and various online and offline marketing tools to promote and drive traffic to their videos. The two-month competition not only offers entrepreneurs funding to grow their business endeavors, but also networking opportunities, business visibility and the opportunity to perfect an elevator pitch.

Rising Tide Capital will provide each entrant with hands-on coaching and mentorship through two video pitch tutorials held in Essex and Hudson counties. Attendees will be able to work with RTC staff members to create a video and perfect their business pitch.

Wednesday, June 18, from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
The Culinary Conference Center at HCCC, Room 508
161 Newkirk Street,
Jersey City, NJ 07306

Tuesday, June 24, from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
Rutgers Newark, Room 120
1 Washington Park,
Newark, NJ 07102

After two rounds of public voting, 10 participants will make it to the final round where they will pitch their business ideas to a panel of judges. Three champions will be selected to win business grants in the amount of $22,500 to grow their businesses and be recognized at the Start Something Champions Gala. Past winners have used their prize money to build prototypes of their inventions, invest in a business location and redesign package product labels to meet FDA standards.

“The Start Something Challenge has really grown into an incredible opportunity for New Jersey entrepreneurs. Inspired by the business ideas we saw last year, we are excited to be heading into our third year of competition. We have a brand new event planned for this year's finalists in New York City where they'll get a chance to showcase their business ideas, as well as more hand-on training in marketing and promotions. I encourage everyone to take a chance at the $10,000 and start something with us this year,” said Communications Coordinator Justyna Krygowska.

If you are a New Jersey resident, microbusiness owner or have a strong business idea that you are ready to grow this competition is for you! Click here to learn more information.

The Start Something Challenge (SSC) is a statewide pitch competition and business strengthening opportunity for New Jersey entrepreneurs. The Challenge is funded by visionary supporters and organized by Rising Tide Capital, a non-profit organization that helps entrepreneurs start and grow successful businesses. To ensure that every participant has a chance to win the $10,000 top prize, Rising Tide Capital provides each entrant with hands-on coaching and mentorship. Free to enter, the competition is open to any New Jersey resident 18 years or older, who operates a microbusiness or has a strong business idea. In 2013, 108 entrepreneurs from 38 towns and cities representing 13 counties in New Jersey completed applications for the Start Something Challenge.

To learn more, visit http://www.StartSomethingChallenge.org.

Rising Tide Capital (RTC) is a Jersey City-based nonprofit organization founded in 2004 by Harvard graduates Alex Forrester and Alfa Demmellash. RTC helps entrepreneurs start and grow successful businesses by providing a 12-week Community Business Academy—supplemented by year-round workshops, coaching and networking events. These programs are currently offered in Spanish and in English in four cities across Northern New Jersey: Jersey City, Newark, Union City, and Orange Township. 728 entrepreneurs have graduated from the CBA to date, and together, they operate over 355 businesses in New Jersey. RTC’s model of entrepreneurship development has received national recognition from President Obama to CNN Heroes.

To learn more, visit http://www.RisingTideCapital.org.

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