About the Event
Sultan Ventures will be hosting a local InnovateHER Hawaii Challenge, which is part of the national SBA’s InnovateHER 2017. A panel of esteemed judges will select one competitor to be submitted for consideration for the national InnovateHER Final Challenge. The InnovateHER Challenge is a national prize competition aimed at unearthing products and services that impact and empower the lives of women and families through local business competitions that culminate in a live pitch Final Round. During the national InnovateHER Final Challenge, up to 10 Finalists will compete for the Top Three cash prizes totaling $70,000.
Each finalist will be offered the opportunity to participate in the InnovateHER Final Challenge to be held in September 2017, where they will make a live marketing pitch to a panel of expert judges drawn from the private sector.
Cash prizes will be awarded to the three highest-rated contestants in the final round of the national Challenge in the following amounts:
- 1st Place – $40,000
- 2nd Place – $20,000
- 3rd Place – $10,000
For winning entries submitted by teams of competitors, prize money will be awarded to the self-identified project leader for distribution to the rest of the team at their discretion and independently from SBA.
Application Process
To enter the local Sultan Ventures hosted InnovateHER Hawaii Challenge, entrepreneurs must first submit this application for review. A select number of entrepreneurs from the applications submitted to will pitch their ideas before a panel of judges at the InnovateHER Hawaii Competition on Thursday, June 1st at 6:00pm at YWCA Laniākea – Downtown. One winner from this local competition will be chosen as a semi-finalist in the national competition.
Eligibility
This Challenge is open only to: (1) citizens or permanent residents of the United States who are at least eighteen (18) years of age at the time of their submission of an entry (or teams of such individuals); and (2) private entities, such as corporations or other organizations, that are incorporated in and maintain a primary place of business in the United States. Individuals submitting on behalf of corporations, nonprofits, or groups of individuals (such as an academic class or other team) must meet the eligibility requirements for individual contestants. An individual may belong to more than one team submitting an entry in this Challenge. SBA employees are not eligible, nor are Federal entities or Federal employees acting within the scope of their employment. Individuals or organizations that are currently suspended or disbarred by the federal government are not eligible for this Challenge.
Judging Criteria
The SBA is looking for innovative products and services that help impact and empower the lives of women and families. Our workforce looks very different from 50 years ago. Women now make up nearly half of the labor force and play a critical role in our nation’s economic prosperity. Most children live in households where all parents work. And as our population ages, families are increasingly caring for aging parents while balancing the needs of work and home. As the demands on womn and families grow, the need for products and services that address these unique challenges increases. This Challenge will provide a platform to fulfill that need. Contestants must develop a product or service that meets the following three Challenge criteria:
- Has a measurable impact on the lives of women and families (30%);
- Has the potential for commercialization (40%); and
- Fills a need in the marketplace (30%).
Learn More
You can find more information about the InnovateHer Challenge at: SBA
PLEASE NOTE: the InnovateHER Challenge is open to both men and women who meet the eligibility criteria.