12 Innovative Startups to Be Selected to Compete for Cash and Prizes at Leading Industry Event on the Future of Digital Innovation
IDG World Expo and Digital Media Wire today announced the opening of submissions for the 3rd annual DEW Startup Pitch and Competition. Sponsored by IDG Ventures and Rackspace Startups and slated for February 10, the DEW Startup Pitch & Competition is one of the most anticipated events of the year. As a result of its success in years past, this year, DEW will be adding an entire Innovation Stage to the event where startups will be featured alongside leading technology exhibitors, who will present lightning talks, demos and presentations showcasing the latest technological innovations in digital entertainment.
For the competition, 12 innovative startups with technologies and services for the digital media ecosystem will be selected to compete in a live pitch faceoff before a panel of top digital investors. In addition to valuable exposure to the digital, entertainment, media and investor communities, these startups will have an opportunity to win a prize package that will help them grow their business.
“As one of the premier organizations dedicated to digital entertainment innovation, it’s very important to us that we provide a platform to showcase the next class of digital media game-changers,” said Mary Dolaher, Chief Executive Officer of IDG World Expo. “This year’s competition is raising the bar with cash prizes and investment opportunities for the year’s most promising startups.”
Last year’s winner, Vendedy, received a $75,000 prize package, which included a $25,000 investment in the company (in the form of a convertible note) and another $25,000 in business consulting and legal services from Manatt Digital Media. The company also received an invitation to the San Francisco office of IDG Ventures for a two-hour consultation with senior partners of the firm, all-access badges to the conference and a year of free premium hosting service on Rackspace ($24,000 value).
The 12 selected startups will make live pitch presentations during the conference to judging panels of leading investors and VCs looking for creativity, innovation, need in the marketplace, strength of team and presentation, as well as future success of profitability.
The 2016 Judges include:
- Chirag Chotalia, Vice President, Pritzker Group Venture Capital
- Sunny Dhillon, Principal & Co-Founder, Signia Venture Partners
- Clinton Foy, General Partner, CrossCut Ventures
- Richard Jun, Managing Partner, Bam Ventures
- Jason Kay, Venture Partner, AID Partners
- Pat Kenealy, Managing Director, IDG Ventures USA
- Mike Lee, General Partner, Rogers Venture Partners
- Bernard Moon, Co-founder & Partner, SparkLabs Global Ventures
- David Siemer, Managing Partner, Wavemaker Partners / Wavemaker Labs
- Robyn Ward, Head of New Media Ventures, United Talent Agency
- Cody Simms, Managing Director, Techstars
All Finalists will receive two (2) all-access registrations to 2016 DEW ($2,590 value), an exhibit booth next to the Innovation Stage ($3,500 value) and $1,000 per month in free hosting service for 12 months on Rackspace ($12,000 value). The winner of the 2016 prize package will also receive a year of free premium hosting service on Rackspace ($24,000 value), an invitation to the San Francisco office of IDG Ventures for a two-hour consultation with senior partners of the firm, and cash and services to be announced (the 2015 prize included $25,000 investment in the company in the form of a convertible note and another $25,000 in business consulting and legal services).
“We put a lot of time, thought and resources into the event and competition and believe that these awards will help support deserving startups,” said Ned Sherman, Co-Creator and Chair of Digital Entertainment World. “In addition to the awards, the experience of participating in this competition creates opportunities to develop lasting connections with industry insiders and influencers, further expanding the community and fostering digital media innovation.”
Eligible startups must have a demonstrable product or service in the market (or in beta) and cannot have raised more than $5 million (USD) in external financing. In addition, all startups selected must be prepared to talk about their products and services in public, while agreeing to have it recorded for public broadcast. All entries for consideration must be submitted online by January 1, 2016.
About DEW:
DEW is a three-day conference offering 100+ sessions featuring notable guests and speakers from leading companies in the industry. The DEW agenda can be viewed here.
DEW is a joint venture between IDG World Expo, an award-winning producer of tradeshows and events, and Digital Media Wire, a media and marketing consultancy and event producer with leading events including NY Media Festival, NY Games Conference, Future of Television, Digital Music Forum and LA Games Conference.
For information on limited sponsorship opportunities, please contact Tinzar Sherman.
Media Contact:
Lynessa Williams
lynessa@transform.pr
