Eligibility
The Charlotte Venture Challenge is open to ventures headquartered in North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Virginia, and to students enrolled in accredited universities, colleges and community colleges in the same geographical area. Companies should have a scalable business concept with high growth potential. Companies must be early-stage defined as:
- Less than $350,000 investment not including sweat equity
- Less than $350,000 cumulative revenue excluding research grants.*
*There are certain companies that may fall into a gray area such as consulting companies transitioning to a new product or service may be exempted. The CVC Organizing Committee will review eligibility and make a final decision on the team.
Ineligible Companies
Companies that were 1st place winners in a prior Five Ventures competition are not eligible, except winners in the Student category may compete in a non-Student category. Individuals who have been part of a winning company may participate in a new company.
Category Eligibility
The competition will consist of six distinct categories: 1.) New Energy and High Technology; 2.) IT and Informatics; 3.)Life Sciences & Biotechnology; 4.)Consumer Products and Services; 5.) Student Ventures; and 6.) Social Enterprises.
The Charlotte Venture Challenge Organizing Committee reserves the right to re-classify the category selected by the team at the time of online registration. We will notify you of our decision to re-classify you under a different track. Each team may enter one idea and cannot submit the idea to more than one track.
Student teams are defined as all managing principals of the company are students but they may have non-student advisors, directors and employees. Each student may only present one idea and serve on one team.
Selection Process
The selection process is designed to provide contestants with helpful feedback while identifying early stage companies with the greatest commercial promise. The selection process will consider both the quality of analysis and the venture’s potential for success (growth, profitability, and return to investors).
Contestant Requirements
- Online application due February 29th, 11:59pm (3 Page Opportunity Assessment)
- $75 application fee for Non-Student teams (non-refundable)
