Overview

Think you have the next big idea? Need a little help getting started? Want to join the world’s strongest startup community?

Join MassChallenge and compete for access to workshops, mentors, executives, other team members, free resources such as office space and sources of funding.

MassChallenge is launching the world’s largest start-up competition, and we want YOU to enter!

Entry Criteria

Anyone can enter MassChallenge, with any idea, from anywhere in the world
Our goal is to support high-potential seed and early stage startups
- Less than $500K of aggregate investment to date (grants not included, except for non-profit entrants)
- Less than $1M in revenue over last 12 months
You must engage in MassChallenge processes to win grants. The second round of judging and the finalist stage require physical presence in Massachusetts.

Judging Criteria

Criteria	First Round	Second Round

Endorsement Points	10	10

2 Pager/ Presentation ²	80	80
Solution and Technology	10	10
Industry and Competitors	10	10
Customer Needs and Acquisitions	10	10
Business Model and Financials	10	10
Team	10	10
Legal and Regulatory	10	10
Overall Impact and feasibility	20	20

Elevator Pitch	10	10

Total Points	100	100

Note: You can continue to collect endorsement points and video ratings until July 11th. Tickets entered before June 30th at midnight will count towards first round judging and those from July 1st- July 10th at midnight will count towards second round judging.

How to Enter

Before June 11th, you will need to:

Create a team account
Create individual accounts for each of your team members
Complete the application form (background information, 16 questions to make up your executive summary, pitch)
Pay your entry fee: $195 Early Bird Fee until June 4th and then $295 until June 11th

Optional

You can submit a video elevator pitch which can be rated by all MassChallenge users and will increase your judging score
Collect endorsements from our sponsors or and other key nodes to get discounted price and points. You can collect endorsements until July 10th at midnight. Those entered before June 30th at midnight count towards 1st round judging and those after count towards second round judging. To get endorsements, you can also have key people email endorsements@masschallenge.org, cc your team, include personal background information to assure the validity of the endorsement process.
Collect discount coupons from MassChallenge events

For more details on how to enter: http://www.masschallenge.org/blog/rosetta-stone-how-enter-masschallenge

For more details on endorsement tickets: http://www.masschallenge.org/blog/rosetta-stone-how-enter-masschallenge-cont

To get a preview of the entry form, click here

If you have any questions, please feel free to email us at contact@masschallenge.org

How to be a judge or mentor

To read about the time commitments and qualifications, click here

To sign up, click here

Competition Timeline

	MassChallenge Activities	Entrant Activities
Now until April 14th Outreach and Preparation	MassChallenge launches startup portal: www.masschallenge.org Participants register via website Entrants Judges Mentors Volunteers Sponsors Partners MassChallenge runs information sessions and networking events across Massachusetts	Register via website Sign up for facebook, twitter and LinkedIn group to stay connected with latest MassChallenge updates (see links at bottom of page) Attend one of the MassChallenge information sessions or networking events Learn more about MassChallenge entry criteria, timelines and judging processes Use MassChallenge directory to connect with the right resources to help refine your idea, team and pitch Start preparing your two page executive summary and video elevator pitch
April 14th Official Launch	Official MassChallenge Launch	Attend MassChallenge launch event
April 14th – June 11th Entry Preparation	MassChallenge expands startup portal to include tools and templates, and entrepreneur profiles> MassChallenge competition portal opens on website Enables team registration and entry submission MassChallenge runs networking events to connect startups with key resources including team members, mentors and funding sources MassChallenge runs training events and workshops to strengthen startups, e.g. improving your elevator pitch, incorporating your business	Attend MassChallenge events to clarify idea, mission and core value proposition Use the website’s tools and templates to improve all aspects of your startup and entry materials Connect with cofounders, mentors and partners Collect “endorsement” points Submit: Written elevator pitch Elevator pitch video (Optional) 16 questions that make a 2-page executive summary Endorsement points Survey data
June 11–July 11 First round judging	MassChallenge continues running training events and workshops to strengthen startups, shifting focus to preparing pitch decks and in-person pitching Respected investors, lawyers and entrepreneurs from the MA entrepreneurial ecosystem volunteer as judges At least 3 judges read every plan, and provide ratings and written feedback Algorithm identifies 300 highest potential teams based on judges scores (2-pagers), public ratings (elevator pitches), and endorsement points	Continue attending events to strengthen startup and connect with cofounders, mentors and partners Collect more “endorsement” points Prepare pitch deck for in-person pitch
July 12 –July 16 Second Round Judging	Judges rate each pitch and provide oral and written feedback to explain strengths and weaknesses Algorithm identifies 100 highest potential teams based on judges scores, endorsements and ratings by public on elevator pitch	Present in-person pitches to judging panels consisting of ~3 judges each 10 min pitch 10 min Q&A 10 min transition
July 20 – October 15 Accelerator Stage	Major Goals of the Accelerator program: Connect finalists with most appropriate mentors Strengthen finalist teams Connect finalists to key missing resources Enable judges, investors and foundations to make decisions MassChallenge runs targeted events Workshops led by top speakers Networking events with key stakeholders Targeted pitch practice events Fun events MassChallenge serves as a “concierge” helping connect finalist teams with resources needed to launch and succeed	Each team matched with a mentor based on preferences and fit Each team assigned to a law firm for free advice Each team matched to free office/lab space Work with their mentor to define goals and milestones Execute toward goals together with mentors Prepare for final pitches
Early Oct Final judging	5-6 Superangel-led judging panels review all remaining finalists to allocate grants MassChallenge facilitates pitches to other key resources, e.g. Potential executives/team members Foundations Quasi/Gov groups (SBIR, MTC, MLSC, NECEC) Angels & VCs	Submit self-evaluation, and deliver in-person pitch to judging panel Submit final MassChallenge survey
Oct 15 Final ceremony	Celebrate MassChallenge process and team accomplishments Announce MassChallenge grants and awards	Attend final ceremony and celebrate Sign up as an alumni

Competition

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