Monterey Bay region’s premier new venture competition
Startup Challenge
Applications open February 1, 2024
Applications close March 4, 2024
Qualifying Round April 5, 2024
Final Round April 26, 2024
Start preparing your winning pitch!
Turn your dream into reality.
Visibility
Startup Challenge Monterey Bay is open to entrepreneurs and startup businesses in Monterey, San Benito, and Santa Cruz counties. Participating in Startup Challenge makes your startup visible to the community and to potential investors in and beyond our local region.
Connections
Startup Challenge teaches, coaches, mentors, and connects entrepreneurs to people and resources needed to launch your business. Starting a business is challenging – Startup Challenge provides guidance and resources to help you be successful.
Funding
Getting funding to start your business is hard. Whether you need funding for product development, manufacturing, equipment, or your marketing campaign, Startup Challenge helps you develop your pitch and build the connections you need to get your business funded.
14
Years Running
909
Companies
$568k
Awarded
$57.3m
Raised
Startup Challenge Monterey Bay Divisions
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 for-profit and not-for-profit businesses with a significant social mission.
Student
Open to for-profit and not-for-profit businesses with a significant social mission.