Welcome to the Boise Entrepreneur Week 2024 Application!Introduction:Thank you for your interest in Boise Entrepreneur Week 2024. We are excited to invite you to participate in one of our two marquee pitch competitions: the BEW General Pitch Competition or the Trailmix Pitch Competition. These competitions are crafted to showcase the entrepreneurial spirit of Idaho, providing a platform for innovation and a chance to win significant non-dilutive capital.This year, we are especially proud to partner with the Startup World Cup, the world’s largest pitch competition. A distinguished participant from BEW will be selected to represent Idaho at the Startup World Cup Finals in San Francisco, competing on an international stage for a grand investment prize of $1,000,000. The BEW Semi-Finals will also serve as a regional qualifier for the Startup World Cup, with the top performer advancing to the finals in San Francisco.As part of the application process, all entrants are required to engage with Wendal.io, the pioneering AI analyst by Connetic Ventures. This interaction is crucial and qualifies you for a potential $100,000 investment through a SAFE note from Connetic Ventures, independent of your performance in the BEW pitch competitions!Prize Overview: • BEW General Pitch Competition: $50,000 (1st place) and $5,000 (2nd place). • Trailmix Pitch Competition: $50,000 + Shelf Space at Albertsons (1st place) and $5,000 (2nd place). • Connetic Ventures SAFE Note: $100,000 investment (available to all participants). • Startup World Cup: Opportunity to compete for a $1,000,000 investment.To increase your chances of success, please review the information below ensure your application is complete and accurate. We look forward to seeing your innovative ideas and wish you the best of luck!
BEW 2024 Pitch Competition Timeline: (Add to Calendar) • Application Opens: June 20 • Application Closes: July 18 • Evaluation and Selection: July 19 - July 28 • Semi-Finalists Announced: August 1 • Semi-Finals: August 15 • Finalists Announced: By not later than August 30 • Coaching and Mentoring Period: September 1 - September 26 • Trailmix Finals: October 2, 5:00 PM - 7:00 PM • BEW General Finals: October 3, 5:00 PM - 7:00 PM
Eligibility Requirements:Please review the following eligibility requirements to be considered for BEW's Pitch Competitions: • General Eligibility: In order to be eligible to pitch in a BEW pitch competition, the business applying to pitch must be licensed to do business in Idaho with the Idaho Secretary of State. Applications for businesses not registered in Idaho will be discarded and not be considered for the competition. • Financial Criteria: Applicant businesses must not exceed $1MM in annual recurring revenue. Applications for businesses exceeding $1MM in ARR will be discarded and not considered for the competition. • Previous Participation: Pitch applications from businesses that have previously won money in the same BEW pitch competition are not eligible to pitch again. However, businesses that have previously competed in BEW pitch competitions without winning a prize, or those that won a prize in a different BEW pitch competition, are welcome to apply.Exceptions for Previous Winners: Previous winners are allowed to re-enter under specific conditions to compete for a spot at the Startup World Cup (SWC), provided they adhere to the following guidelines: 1. Application Requirement: Returning winners must submit a new application for BEW and qualify for the Round 2 Semi-Finals based on their performance in Round 1. 2. Limited Participation: Although returning winners can compete in the Round 2 Semi-Finals (The Startup World Cup Regional Qualifiers), they are not eligible to participate in the BEW Finals, nor will they be eligible for any prize pool at BEW.
Application Process Overview:Participating in BEW’s pitch competitions involves several stages of evaluation, each designed to fairly and rigorously assess the potential of your business. Below is a summary of the application rounds and what each entails: • Round 1: Initial Applications - Submit your application for evaluation by BEW’s committee. This round filters the initial pool of candidates based on a set of established criteria outlined below. • Round 2: Semi-Finals + Startup World Cup Regional Qualifier - If you advance past the initial round, you’ll participate in the semi-finals, held live at Trailhead. This round is critical as it determines who will represent Idaho at the Startup World Cup in San Francisco. Additionally, the top performers will proceed to the final round of their respective competitions. Pitching Format: • Each pitcher will have 10 minutes total (7-8 for presentation, 2-3 for Q&A). • Presenting pitcher(s) will have a wireless handheld microphone. • Slide decks will be displayed on a monitor and controlled by the pitcher through a clicker. • Confidence monitor that mirrors the slide deck will be provided (no speaker notes available). • BEW General Pitch Competition Finals - Compete for a grand prize of $50,000 on October 3rd, 2024, by showcasing your business in front of a live audience and a panel of expert judges. • Trailmix Pitch Competition Finals - Aimed specifically at CPG/Food & Beverage startups, this event on October 2nd, 2024, gives you a chance to win $50,000 and earn coveted shelf space at Albertsons.
Sections of the Application: 1. Pitch Competition Selection: Choose the competition that aligns with your industry. Note: Additional questions apply if you select the Trailmix Pitch Competition. 2. Application Materials: Provide comprehensive information about yourself, your team, and your business, and submit a short elevator pitch video. 3. AI Analysis with Wendal.io: Engage with Wendal, the venture capital AI analyst, which plays a crucial role in the evaluation process and qualifies you for a $100,000 SAFE note investment. 4. Terms and Conditions: Acknowledge and accept our terms and conditions to proceed with your application.
Contact Information:For any queries or support during the application process, please reach out to Jacob Grinwis, Co-Chair of Boise Entrepreneur Week, via email at jacob@trailheadboise.org.We wish you the best of luck in the application process and look forward to potentially showcasing your innovation at Boise Entrepreneur Week 2024!
Introduction:Welcome to the first step in your application for Boise Entrepreneur Week’s pitch competitions! This section is designed to help you select the pitch competition that best aligns with your business' industry and goals. BEW offers two distinct marquee competitions this year: 1. BEW General Pitch Competition: Ideal for entrepreneurs across various industries, this competition seeks to showcase innovative ideas and business models. Please note: This competition is open to all industries except Consumer Packaged Goods (CPG) and Food + Beverage. 2. Trailmix Pitch Competition: Specifically tailored for startups in the CPG and Food + Beverage sectors, this competition focuses on uncovering and supporting the next big innovations in these dynamic industries.Instructions: • Select Your Competition: Based on your startup’s industry focus, please select the competition you wish to apply for. If you are in the CPG or Food + Beverage industry, please select the Trailmix Competition. For businesses in all other industries, the BEW General Pitch Competition will be the most suitable choice. • Confirm Your Selection: After making your selection, please confirm your choice and proceed to the next section of the application.• Trailmix Pitch Competition Additional Information: If you selected the Trailmix Pitch Competition, you will be asked to answer a few CPG/Food Product Safety questions in this section before moving forward to the next section of the application. Choosing the right competition is crucial as it will determine the specific criteria and judges you will engage with throughout the competition process.
Introduction:This section is critical to the evaluation process for Boise Entrepreneur Week’s pitch competitions. Here, we delve into the specifics of your startup, aiming to understand the essence of your business, the team behind it, and the unique solutions you offer. Your thoughtful responses and the materials you provide will form the backbone of our assessment, helping us gauge the potential impact and sustainability of your venture.
This information helps us identify and contact you regarding your application.
Tell us more about your business! This section is essential for us to gain a comprehensive understanding of your business and its background.
Please share information about your product or service, which may include its name, development stage, the problem it aims to solve, the solution it offers, what sets it apart from competitors, its potential impact, any associated patents, current geographical reach, the total addressable market (TAM), and the serviceable available market (SAM). This section is crucial for us to evaluate the uniqueness and potential of your product or service.
As part of the application process, we request that all applicants submit an elevator pitch video, limited to a maximum of 90 seconds. This video presents an opportunity for you to effectively communicate your passion, skillset, and visionary entrepreneurial mindset. We encourage you to introduce yourself, provide relevant background information, and pitch your business idea. Emphasize the unique value proposition of your venture with concise, compelling, and impactful messaging. Remember, this Elevator Pitch Video serves as a platform to make a powerful first impression and capture the attention of our evaluation committee. Give it your best shot!
Introduction:Welcome to an exciting part of your Boise Entrepreneur Week journey! As a key step in our application process, we require all participants to engage with Wendal, the first Venture Capital AI analyst developed by Connetic Ventures. This portion of the application qualifies you for the $100,000 investment regardless of your performance in the main BEW pitch competitions. Privacy and Data Usage: Your participation means you agree that Wendal and Connetic Ventures may use the data you provide for analysis purposes related to your competition entry and potential investment. Rest assured, all personal and business information will be managed with the utmost respect for your privacy.Judging and Decision Process:The insights from your session with Wendal will inform our panel of esteemed judges, including Chris Hjelm (Connetic Ventures), Rob Hennefer (Pando Ventures), Susannah Duke (Pelion), Curt Roberts (Kickstart), and Brandon Tidwell (Signal Peak Ventures), in their final decisions.Let’s dive in and see how Wendal can help highlight your startup’s potential!
1. Access Wendal: • To begin your required analysis session with Wendal, please click the link below: • This link will direct you to an external site managed by Connetic Ventures, where Wendal is ready to meet you.2. Session Details: • Duration: Expect to spend about 15-20 minutes with Wendal. • Preparation: Have your startup details handy, especially information about your founders, team, and business plan. • Analysis Criteria: Wendal will evaluate your application based on: • Founder(s) Behavioral Traits: 50% • Team Makeup: 20% • Ideology and Ethics: 10% • Relative Valuation: 5% • Ownership Dynamics: 5% • Other Factors: 10%3. Completion: • Please complete this session by the July 18th deadline, at 5 PM MST. This is crucial for your eligibility for the pitch competitions and the separate $100k SAFE note investment opportunity. • You will receive instant feedback on your team’s behavioral profiles from Wendal, giving you valuable insights into your team’s dynamics!
IntroductionThis BEW 2024 Pitch Competition Terms and Conditions agreement is entered into by and between Trailhead Boise, Inc., an Idaho nonprofit corporation doing business as Trailhead (“Trailhead”), and you (“Participant”). Boise Entrepreneur Week (BEW) is a program of Trailhead designed to spotlight and support Idaho’s most innovative entrepreneurs.By participating in either the BEW General Pitch Competition or the Trailmix Pitch Competition, you agree to comply with the terms set forth herein, which are designed to ensure fairness and order throughout the event.EligibilityGeneral Eligibility: Open to startups operational with products or services and legally registered to do business in Idaho.Financial Criteria: Businesses must not exceed $1MM in annual recurring revenue.Previous Participation: Pitch applications from businesses that have previously won money in the same BEW pitch competition are not eligible to pitch again. However, businesses that have previously competed in BEW pitch competitions without winning a prize, or those that won a prize in a different BEW pitch competition, are welcome to apply.Exceptions for Previous Winners: Previous winners are allowed to re-enter under specific conditions to compete for a spot at the Startup World Cup (SWC), provided they adhere to the following guidelines: 1. Application Requirement: Returning winners must submit a new application for BEW and qualify for the Round 2 Semi-Finals based on their performance in Round 1. 2. Limited Participation: Although returning winners can compete in the Round 2 Semi-Finals (The Startup World Cup Regional Qualifiers), they are not eligible to participate in the BEW Finals, nor will they be eligible for any prize pool at BEW.Application and Competition ProcessSubmission: Complete all sections by the deadline. Incomplete or late submissions will not be considered.AI Analysis Requirement: Participation in an AI analysis session with Wendal is mandatory.Judging: Decisions by the evaluation committee or judging panel are final.Intellectual Property and PublicityUse of Materials: You authorize BEW and its affiliates to distribute and store the information submitted in your application to evaluate your company. You agree to allow BEW to use your company name, logo, and headshot for promotional purposes related to BEW.Liability and IndemnificationDisclaimer of Warranties: BEW provides the pitch competition “as is” and disclaims all warranties, express or implied, to the extent permitted by law.Limitation of Liability: BEW shall not be liable for any direct, indirect, incidental, special, consequential, or exemplary damages resulting from your participation in the competition.Indemnification: You agree to indemnify, defend, and hold harmless BEW and its affiliates, officers, agents, and employees from any claims, liabilities, or expenses arising from your participation.Rights and ResponsibilitiesModification and Termination: BEW reserves the right to modify these terms or disqualify participants for any reason at any time. BEW may terminate your participation for any breach of these terms without notice.General ProvisionsGoverning Law: These terms are governed by the laws of the State of Idaho, without regard to its conflict of law provisions.Entire Agreement: These terms constitute the entire agreement between you and BEW regarding your participation.Severability: If any part of these terms is found to be invalid, the remaining parts will remain in full effect.Amendments: BEW may amend these terms at any time, and such amendments will be effective upon posting.Cancellation and TerminationCancellation by Participant: You may withdraw by providing written notice.Termination by BEW: BEW may terminate your participation immediately for any breach of these terms.