Elevating Voices: A Pitch Competition & Networking Opportunity hosted by UCLA Anderson & USC Marshall
Through this Elevating Voice Pitch Competition, UCLA Anderson and USC Marshall are seeking entrepreneurs who have the ability to contribute to a diverse working environment and/or potential for leadership in increasing equitable access to venture capital:
Raised less than $500K
Generated less than $20,000 in sales in 2022
Does not have a graduate business degree
Space for this event is limited, so all entrepreneurs interested in competing should complete the registration as soon as possible. Registration approvals will be on a first-come, first-served basis and all approved registrants will be invited to apply to compete. Applicants to the competition will undergo a holistic review that can include factors such as income level, first generation to attend college, neighborhood or community circumstances, disadvantages overcome, low performing secondary school attended, and the impact of an applicant’s background and experiences on achievement.
Participation Benefits:
Access to Prizes
1st place - ($5000 Sponsored by UCLA Anderson and USC Marshall)
Easton Technology Management Center
Access to UCLA Anderson Technology Management and Product Management (Discovery) courses in the Winter
Access to UCLA Anderson Technology and Society and Product Management (Delivery) courses in the Spring
Access to UCLA Anderson Conferences
October 27, 2023 will be the Tech + Society Conference
January 26, 2024 will be the Innovate Conference
Access to USC Marshall Conferences
November 14, 2023 will be the Digital Assets Conference
March 7, 2024 will be the Athena Conference
Price Center for Entrepreneurship & Innovation
Activate Incubator Program Fellowship
This program supports founders at the earliest stage of their journey. This two-month summer incubator program works with both idea-stage and prototype-stage companies to build a defensible foundation toward a viable venture. The main goal of the summer incubator is to help first-time founders validate their problem-solution, determine customer segment and competition, and test product-market fit. Upon completion of the incubator program, founders will develop a minimum viable product (MVP) and will be eligible to apply to the immersive, six-month winter Accelerator program, which runs from January to June.
2nd place - ($3,500 Sponsored by UCLA Anderson and USC Marshall)
Easton Technology Management Center
Access to UCLA Anderson Conferences
October 27, 2023 will be the Tech + Society Conference
January 26, 2024 will be the Innovate Conference
Access to USC Marshall Conferences
November 14, 2023 will be the Digital Assets Conference
March 7, 2024 will be the Athena Conference
3rd place - ($1500 Sponsored by UCLA Anderson and USC Marshall)
Easton Technology Management Center
Access to UCLA Anderson Conferences
October 27, 2023 will be the Tech + Society Conference
January 26, 2024 will be the Innovate Conference
Access to USC Marshall Conferences
November 14, 2023 will be the Digital Assets Conference
March 7, 2024 will be the Athena Conference
Exposure: Available to all ten selected startups
Networking: Across startup founders, the LA business school ecosystem, venture capitalists, and event sponsors
This event is a part of #TechWeek - a week of events hosted by VCs and startups to bring together the tech ecosystem.