2024
PROGRAM SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES
STARTUP PRIZE
ELEVATING BUSINESSES WITH COMPETITION
Startup Prize is one of the most unique entrepreneurial competitions in the country. Not just another pitch competition, we pride ourselves on activating, evolving, and transforming startups and connecting them with investors, world-class mentors, and resources that help Startup Prize competitors find success in their endeavors.
For 2024, Startup Prize continues its focus on health to highlight and take advantage of Northwest Louisiana’s robust health tech and medical innovation resources. We recruit promising early stage health startups from around the country and bring them to Shreveport, where they form connections with fellow founders, mentors and local resources, gain access to investors and funding, and potentially find a new home for their fledglings business in Northwest Louisiana. No incubator or accelerator does it like Startup Prize.
NATIONALLY-UNIQUE MODEL FOR ELEVATING ENTREPRENEURS
Accelerators, incubators, and startup competitions are a dime a dozen. So why do entrepreneurs consistently call Startup Prize the most unique and fulfilling entrepreneurial experience? We provide opportunities for mentorship and fellowship that are often set aside in favor of day-to-day operations. Our intense retreat model increases retention and provides meaningful professional development.
CREATING A PIPELINE FOR LOCAL AND NATIONAL STARTUPS
All competing startups are provided with opportunities to engage with other startup/ health-focused organizations from Ochsner and LSU Health Shreveport to Blue Cross and Blue Shield of LA and EAP. We connect our startups with world-class mentors, locally and around the country, ensuring entrepreneurs have the edge they need not only to get off the ground, but to succeed in an ever-shifting business environment.
PROGRAM STATS
• 500+ startups elevated
• 45+ funding offers facilitated.
• 1,200+ program participants.
2023 STATS
• Program focus on health and medical-based startups.
• Hybrid model included online and in-person events.
• Gender parity achieved alongside diverse competitor pool of founders.
• National partnerships include MassChallenge, Health Wildcatters and Harvard iLabs.
LEVERAGING OUR AREA’S STRENGTH IN HEALTH INNOVATION
Northwest Louisiana is a hub of health tech and innovation. We take advantage of the expertise and opportunities we have right in our backyard and shine a bright light on the potential for growth here in our region. We link health-focused startups with a variety of service providers and resources that show our city and region are capable of meeting the needs of entrepreneurs at almost any scale.
SPONSOR LEVELS AND BENEFITS
PRESENTING SPONSOR
(Limited to 3)
$50,000
• Presenting sponsor recognition on Startup Prize website, print graphics, banners, presentation slides, big winner checks, press releases, and digital media.
• Social media shoutouts and named as the Presenting Sponsor from stage thru all Startup Prize events.
• Cross-promotion via social media of sponsor-hosted events in the health/entrepreneurial sectors.
• Four seats on the review panel to help determine which entrepreneurs move on to the Final Final.
• Four seats on the Startup Prize Investor-Judge Panel for both Final Finals.
• Opportunity to address sponsors/attendees at all Startup Prize events (Qualifiers, Final Final).
• Sponsor logo on big check for grand prize winners.
• Place sponsor-provided promo material in swag bags for attendees & sponsors at in person events.
• Access to competitor contact information.
• Prize Fest Perks: 20 FIlm VIP, 20 Music VIP, 32 Film GA, 32 Music GA, 60 Golden Tickets
• Sponsors may also purchase up to 4 additional VIP passes at 50% off
• Special gift and swag from Team Startup Prize.
ANGEL SPONSOR
$25,000
• Sponsor recognition and logo placement on website, print graphics, banners, presentation slides, and digital media below the “Presenting Sponsor” line.
• Social media shoutouts and named as a Sponsor from stage thru all Startup Prize events.
• Two (2) seats on the review panel to help determine which entrepreneurs move on to the Final Final.
• Two (2) seats on the Startup Prize Investor-Judge Panel for Final Final.
• Online and offline banner and signage opportunity for Qualifiers and Final Final.
• Place sponsor-provided promo material in swag bags for attendees & sponsors at in person events.
• Prize Fest Perks: 10 FIlm VIP, 10 Music VIP, 16 Film GA, 16 Music GA, 30 Golden Tickets
• Sponsors may also purchase up to 4 additional VIP passes at 50% off
• Special gift and swag from Team Startup Prize.
SEED SPONSOR
$10,000
• Sponsor recognition and logo placement on website, print graphics, banners, presentation slides, and digital media below the “Angel Sponsor” line.
• Social media shoutouts and named as a Sponsor from stage throughout all Startup Prize events.
• One (1) seat on the review panel to help determine which entrepreneurs move on to the Final Final.
• One (1) seat on the Startup Prize Investor-Judge Panel for the Final Final.
• Prize Fest Perks: 4 FIlm VIP, 4 Music VIP, 8 Film GA, 8 Music GA, 10 Golden Tickets
• Sponsors may also purchase up to 4 additional VIP passes at 50% off
• Special gift and swag from Team Startup Prize.
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TESTIMONIALS FOR STARTUP PRIZE
RALEIGH DEWAN
CEO & FOUNDER, STEADISPOON
NON-FDA TRACK GRAND PRIZE WINNER, 2023
If you’re interested in making connections in the startup world, if you’re interested in meeting amazing people that continue to inspire you, if you’re interested in joining not a competitive but a collaborative environment, and if you want to take your business to the next level, Startup Prize is for you!
JESSICA BUSSERT
CEO & FOUNDER, WAVE THERAPEUTICS
FDA TRACK FINALIST, 2023
I’ve been doing pitch competitions and pitch prizes for years and a lot of times they’re adversarial. They’re not very well organized. [Startup Prize] is like a family gathering of friends and everybody’s here to try to help one another. It brings together amazing founders, incredible funders, subject matter experts, and industry leaders — all to work in a collaborative manner to really improve all the companies, regardless if they win the prize or not. It’s really a community effort.
MARK NEWBERG
PRESIDENT & FOUNDER, STOCKBRIDGE ADVISORS
STARTUP PRIZE MENTOR
Startup Prize is not a pitch competition. It’s a growth opportunity. Everybody here who’s involved, from mentors to the judges, to the supporters, to the staff, wants to help you be better. This is not a get up on stage and tell us how wonderful your company is and how catalytic, disruptive and transformative it’ll be. We’ve heard it before. What this is, is a way to get in and help you build the model that’s going to solve problems worth solving. And if that’s appealing to you, come join us.
CIAN ROBINSON
PRESIDENT & FOUNDER, ROBINSON VENTURES, LLC
STARTUP PRIZE MENTOR
This is not a pitch competition. This is the creation of a multi tentacled network of mentors and advisors. And then you get the opportunity for your company to move your company forward through that thinking to eventually become a finalist, to eventually become a winner. And while the prize is great, it’s really the journey along the way that makes the difference.