Startup Challenge Monterey Bay
The premiere Monterey Bay new venture competition
Live feed courtesy of Monterey Bay Aquarium
Why Compete?
Visibility
Startup Challenge Monterey Bay is open to participants based in Monterey, Santa Cruz, and San Benito counties. By participating in this new venture competition, your visibility will go beyond our local region. Make your business known and pave the way for your startup in your industry.
Connections
Startup Challenge teaches, coaches, mentors, and connects entrepreneurs to people and resources needed to launch your business. The process of starting up is complex and there are resources to help you through it.
Funding
It is no secret that when it comes to building a company, funding is necessary. Whether you are looking to fund your business’s marketing campaign, product development, or manufacturing, Startup Challenge and help get you there!
Choose your division
Venture
Open to businesses intended to scale and provide venture investor-level returns.
Social Venture
Open to for-profit and not-for-profit businesses with a significant social mission.
Main Street
Open to small businesses and sole proprietorships.
Student
Open to all students in middle school through graduate schools.
Apply
The first step in taking the Startup Challenge is by applying. Now is the time to build your business! Give your business the opportunity to gain exposure in the region, get expert feedback, and receive the funds to move your business forward!
Attend
Entrepreneurship is a community activity. During the final stages of the Startup Challenge, our community is invited to attend the Venture Showcase of finalists, Otter Tank business presentations, and the closing awards ceremony.
Sponsor
Sponsor Monterey Bay’s premier new venture business competition. As a sponsor of the event, your organization will gain exposure in the region’s entrepreneurial, educational, and business communities. Your contributions directly help local businesses
Apply
The first step in taking the Startup Challenge is by applying. Now is the time to build your business! Give your business the opportunity to gain exposure in the region, get expert feedback, and receive the funds to move your business forward!
Attend
Entrepreneurship is a community activity. During the final stages of the Startup Challenge, our community is invited to attend the Venture Showcase of finalists, Otter Tank business presentations, and the closing awards ceremony.
Sponsor
Sponsor Monterey Bay’s premier new venture business competition. As a sponsor of the event, your organization will gain exposure in the region’s entrepreneurial, educational, and business communities. Your contributions directly help local businesses.
2020 Venture
Runner-Up
2018 Venture Winner
2020 Venture Winner
2016 Main Street Winner
2019 Venture Winner
2020 Social venture runner-up
Levered is closing the achievement gap in elementary math with a next-level blended learning system. Levered currently serves 3rd, 4th, and 5th grade math with an individually-paced, competency-based online core curriculum.
Featured Startup Challenge Alumni
Who We Are
Hosted By
Educators
We are committed to educating entrepreneurs and creating rich career opportunities for students and alumni of local educational institutions as well as entrepreneurs in the regional community.
Mentors
We have an extensive network of entrepreneurs, investors, advisors, and service providers that assist entrepreneurs in obtaining funding, access to resources, and sustainably developing their businesses.
Entrepreneurs
We are a community of entrepreneurs support our fellow entrepreneurs through their journey. Entrepreneurship is a team sport and a community endeavor; we encourage you to get involved and stay connected.
Building the entrepreneurial ecosystem of the Monterey Region
Who We Are
Hosted By
Educators
We are committed to educating entrepreneurs and creating rich career opportunities for students and alumni of local educational institutions as well as entrepreneurs in the regional community.
Mentors
We have an extensive network of entrepreneurs, investors, advisors, and service providers that assist entrepreneurs in obtaining funding, access to resources, and sustainably developing their businesses.
Entrepr eneurs
We are a community of entrepreneurs support our fellow entrepreneurs through their journey. Entrepreneurship is a team sport and a community endeavor; we encourage you to get involved and stay connected.
Building the entrepreneurial ecosystem of the Monterey Region
