Circle and SeedInvest have launched a collaborative effort to support underrepresented founders.
According to a press release, the Community Pitch Competition will be underway on June 1, 2022. The event will provide participants access to capital, networking, and business-building tools in hopes of propelling their business forward. What’s more, the competition will be free to enter.
In the end, three founders will take home a prize pool of $5,000, $10,000, or $25,000 coupled with the option to secure funding on SeedInvest with $10,000 in fees waived. Plus, the winners may be in contention to secure bonus prizes from Ramp, Braze, and EY to bolster their business, with the stipulation that they meet additional outlined prize partner qualifications, according to the press release.
“Underrepresented founders still do not have the same access to capital and economic opportunity, especially at the critical early stages of a startup,” said Rod McLeod, VP of Social Impact at Braze, according to a press release. “Braze helps businesses at any stage grow, and we’re looking forward to shaping a more equitable future through SeedInvest’s Community Pitch Competition.
Jesse Draper, General Partner at Halogen Ventures; Tasha Youngblood Brown, Managing Director at EY; Ryan Feit, CEO and Co-Founder at SeedInvest; and Sherice Torres, Chief Marketing Officer at Circle, have been selected as the judges for the upcoming pitch competition.
“I’m thrilled to partner with SeedInvest for the Community Pitch Competition, elevating and celebrating diverse founders. Creating a more inclusive VC ecosystem isn’t just the right thing to do, it’s smart investing and paramount for growth,” said Draper, according to a press release.
Founders looking to tap in can do so now through May 20, 2022.
Eligibility requirements can be found here.
