Our greatest challenge returns for the third consecutive year. Are you ready to accept it?
The world is full of challenges to be solved, from basic human needs to environmental needs. The more we advance with technology and development, the more opportunities arise.
The entrepreneur is the brave one, who chooses one of these great challenges as his mission and is willing to dedicate his life to solve it.
Startup Avenue seeks to find those brave game-changers and bring them together to show, not only Guatemala but the world, how things should work.
Are you brave enough to take the challenge?
STARTUP AVENUE 2022
CHALLENGE
Startup Avenue is a competition that aims to show the world the potential that Guatemala has in terms of innovation and entrepreneurship. Only 50 national and international ventures will have space to exhibit their business models in front of the Volcano Summit community and the general public. The exhibit consists of a business pitch in front of a select panel of judges that will determine who goes on to the following rounds. This will give the ventures an opportunity to be evaluated and heard by potential investors and mentors, but also to win important prizes.
CATEGORIES
The enterprises will be divided according to their maturity in the
following three categories:
Each of these categories will function independently under different qualification parameters and will compete only with the undertakings of its same category.
Growth & Scalability
For those enterprises or businesses that have more than two years in the market, have an established team and seek to maximize their sales and/ or raise capital to continue growing. They have a strong validated business model.
Seed and Early Stage
For those ventures that have at least six months in the market but less than two years. They already have an initial work team and clients but need capital to continue growing.
Business Idea
For those businesses that have already defined their business plan and already developed an MVP (Minimum Viable Product) to those with less than six months in market.
TIMELINE
Sunday, September 11
Pitch Round 2 at Hotel Casa Santo Domingo
Monday, Septiembre 12
Final Round at Hotel Casa Santo Domingo
Monday, June 6
Release Date
Friday, August 5
Application Closing Date
Monday, August 8
Date of list resolution of competitors
Wednesday, August 10
Training Session
Wednesday, August 24
Coaching/Mentoring Session
Saturday, September 10
Pitch Round 1 at Hotel Selina
FAQs
How do the categories work?
There are three categories:
-
Business idea: From those businesses that have already defined their business plan and already developed an MVP (Minimum Viable Product) to those with less than six months in market
-
Seed and Early Stage: For those ventures that have at least six months in the market but less than two years. They already have an initial work team and clients but need capital to continue growing.
-
Growth and Scalability: For those enterprises or businesses that have more than two years in the market, have an established team and seek to maximize their sales and/ or raise capital to continue growing. They have a strong validated business model.
I compete only against my category?
Yes. Each category is independent and is governed by selection criteria weighted in different ways. Although in Round 2, it is the same panel of judges for the three categories, the selection parameters of each one will be respected.
How were the judges selected?
The judges were carefully selected by the Volcano Summit team, together with Alterna and UFM taking into account their experience and track record.
What is a good pitch?
You can ask for a PDF explaining what we believe a good pitch is at: startups@volcanosummit.com
How much time do I have to make the pitch?
For round 1 on Saturday you will have 3 minutes to make your pitch, then 2 minutes of questions by the judges. You will also have a minute of logistics to prepare and present.
For round 2 on Monday you will have 5 minutes to make your pitch, then 2 minutes of questions from the judges. You will also have a minute of logistics to prepare and present.
What is the stand like and what should I bring?
Each participant will have a stand to present to the public their business located in the Hotel Selina. We will send selected startups all the information about their stands.
What material do I need to bring to present my pitch?
The presentation format is free. If you have a presentation that supports your pitch, bring it in PDF format or PowerPoint as well. You can present a video, or any other digital or physical element that supports the improvement of your pitch experience. You must bring all the digital documents you need in USB.
Should I present in English?
It is not mandatory, but we strongly recommend doing so. It is very likely that at least one member of your judging panel would need to hear your pitch in English. We also expect visits from more than 20 different countries, so we hope to have the opportunity to teach the best that Guatemala has to all our visits.
If you have more questions, please contact: startups@volcanosummit.com
IN COLLABORATION WITH
500 STARTUPS
500 Global is a venture capital firm with more than $2.7 billion¹ in assets under management that invests early in founders building fast-growing technology companies. We focus on markets where technology, innovation, and capital can unlock long-term value and drive economic growth.
KIRZNER ENTREPRENEURSHIP CENTER
The mission of the KEC is to cultivate the knowledge and promote the practice of entrepreneurship through education, research and developing connections between the people of our community. We boost entrepreneurship by offering experiences, processes and services to companies and other institutions that we have developed since 2009.