If you hang around with entrepreneurs like we do, you hear a lot of business ideas. Some of them sound weird. (We mean that in the best possible way.) Some of them sound complicated. (If blockchain or NFTs or web3 are involved, we’re going to need you to dumb it way, way down.) And a few of them sound really cool—even if they’re weird or complicated, too! Bottom line, we’re always on the lookout for promising startup concepts that we can support and help nurture into thriving companies. And that’s where the Crossroads Idea Competition comes in.
The Crossroads Idea Competition is our way of shaking the idea tree. We know that a lot of folks—some entrepreneurs, some wanna-preneurs—are quietly noodling on a new idea and wondering, “Could this really work? Is there a market for this?” This competition is a low-risk way to put your idea out there, give it a little more shape and definition, and see what people think. And not just any people: check out these incredible judges!
Are you sitting on something that could make the world a better place? Something that could make you the next Whitney Wolfe Herd, Tope Awotona, or Marc Benioff? Something that could just be really fun and rewarding to spend your time turning into a thriving enterprise?
The winner takes home bragging rights and $2,500 from Flywheel Fund to take the next baby step.
Speaking of bragging . . . if you’ve been watching Quiptu take off over the past year, welp, they were the 2021 Crossroads Idea Competition winner, back when they were called Wandr. Their story is a great example of how a little casual conversation between brothers-in-law can lead to an idea, and then a pitch deck. And then one day they look at each other and say, “Are we doing this? We can do this!” It happened fast, and Quiptu is off to an amazing start.
We can’t wait to see who enters this year!
Apply to the Crossroads Idea Competition
The competition is open to anyone in the Velocities region (Bloomington, Columbus, and surrounds). Submit a 3-minute pitch video by November 25. Tell us:
- What problem are you solving?
- For what customer?
- What evidence do you have of need?
- What’s your solution?
- How will you earn revenue?
We’ll let you know by December 8 whether you’re in for Demo Day on December 14. If so, you’ll give a 5-minute pitch on Zoom. This will be shorter than a traditional pitch. We’re not going to pepper you with questions, because after all, it’s just an idea at this point.
(What makes a great idea? Check this out.)
Are you in? Go on, do it! Enter the 2022 Crossroads Idea Competition!