Entrepreneurs from across the country will have the opportunity to pitch their ideas to a panel of the nation’s leading mayors March 11 competing for up to $10,000 at the Mayors Matchup 2018 during the Civic I/O event at South by Southwest in Austin.
Deadline for entry submissions is 10 a.m., Friday, Feb. 16.
Deadline for entry submissions is 10 a.m., Friday, Feb. 16.
Organizers said the winner also will have the chance to pitch at the 2018 U.S. Conference of Mayors Annual Meeting June 8-11 in Boston, Massachusetts.
Judges will evaluate the pitches based on how well they show an ability to solve a civic problem in addition to how promising the company or idea is in relation to team, market validation, product/service fit, business model, and growth trajectory.
The application must include a video pitch of less than two minutes.
MAYORS DISCUSS PROBLEMS FACING CITIES AT THE EVENT
Companies chosen to make a pitch will receive $1,000 for participation expenses, organizers said, and up to $10,000 based on the judging panel’s decisions.
Last year’s winner was San Francisco-based RideAlong, which offers a software tool that gives patrol officers important information about individuals with mental illness at the scene.
Civic I/O is an event that brings together mayors, futurists, and business leaders to collectively develop solutions for the societal and governmental issues they face. This year, Fort Worth Mayor Betsy Price will join fellow mayors from Austin, Baltimore, Orlando, and many other cities.
During the event, participants will discuss, debate, and share best practices and new ideas on important issues during panels and roundtables, dinners with fellow mayors, and one-on-one meetings with entrepreneurs.
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