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Entrepreneur Innovation Awards Pitch Contest Returns, Applications Due Sept. 1

  • CTNext accepting applications for its Entrepreneur Innovation Awards contest
  • The competition is traditionally held three times a year and is slated to return to an in-person event this fall
  • All startups that can present a “clear deliverable milestone” to advance their company are eligible to participate

Summary by Dirk Langeveld

CTNext is accepting applications for its next round of Entrepreneur Innovation Awards, which are slated to return to an in-person event this fall.

Applications are due Sept. 1, and a pitch contest will take place on Oct. 14. The competition traditionally takes place three times a year, but operated as a digital event during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Entrepreneur Innovation Awards were established to support Connecticut’s “most promising and technologically innovative early-stage startups” with $10,000 grants. The grants are designed to support these companies with projects that can help them reach their next stage of development.

  • The competition is open to all startups, though they must present a “clear deliverable milestone” to pursue
  • Several projects are eligible, including small-scale prototyping, compliance testing, market research, or licensing; the funding cannot be used for certain purposes, such as marketing or basic professional services
  • Companies must submit an EIA application; PowerPoint explaining describing the company and proposal; and letters of good standing from the Department of Labor, Secretary of State, and Department of Revenue Services. They must also register as a CTNext member, and can submit optional five-minute video of pitch
  • Ten finalists will be selected to present their idea to a panel of entrepreneurs, investors, and business experts
  • Companies can receive up to three grants through the competition

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