The 2024 Next Challenge will award $150,000 in grants to groundbreaking startups reinventing media & journalism.
Donor Name: Glen Nelson Center
State: All States
County: All Counties
Type of Grant: Awards and Prizes
Deadline: 03/25/2024
Size of the Grant: $10,000 to $100,000
Grant Duration: Grant Duration Not Mentioned
Details:
The Next Challenge for Media & Journalism is the largest startup competition open to nonprofit and for-profit media companies in the United States. The 12-week challenge promotes groundbreaking ideas and trailblazing startups that will reinvent journalism and media over the coming decade.
The Next Challenge is a program of Glen Nelson Center at American Public Media Group, which identifies, elevates and invests in emerging media & journalism ventures led by diverse and visionary founders.
Benefits of participating in the Next Challenge include:
- The opportunity to strengthen your pitch
- Exposure to potential partners and investors
- Finalist recognition and promotional opportunities throughout the competition
- Industry-specific mentors and training events for division finalists
- Non-dilutive cash prizes
- Grand prize awarded to the most promising media venture
Award divisions and cash awards
Startups can apply in one (and only one) of three divisions:
- Future of Local Journalism Award – Up to $30,000 awarded to a local or regional news startup that excels at meeting the information needs of the community it serves or is pioneering a sustainable new business model for local journalism.
- NewsTech Award – Up to $30,000 awarded to a startup supporting the productivity and sustainability of newsrooms by providing an essential service using artificial intelligence (AI) and/or other technology.
- Power Platform Award – Up to $30,000 awarded to a technology startup developing powerful ways to share media content across the country and around the globe.
Additional awards will be given to outstanding Division Finalists. Division Winners are not eligible for these additional finalist awards.
- Public Choice Award – Up to $10,000 awarded to the most compelling finalist as voted on by the public.
- Vision Award – Up to $10,000 awarded to an innovative finalist with a bold vision to reinvent media and journalism.
- Trust in News Award – Up to $10,000 awarded to a finalist for building trust in the media by exposing disinformation and deep fakes.
Eligibility Criteria
- Legally incorporated for-profit and non-profit media startups based in the United States of America and U.S. Territories. A venture is considered U.S.-based if it is legally incorporated in the U.S. and if the majority of employees and/or contractors live in the United States.
- Ventures that have earned less than US$1,000,000 (gross revenue including philanthropic support) in the twelve months ending December 31, 2023. This does not include investment dollars.
- Ventures that have made progress against their concept (e.g., a working prototype, minimum viable product.)
For more information, visit Glen Nelson Center.
