FAQs

Before applying, please read the eligibility requirements and the VentureCat Official Rules & Guidelines.

How far along should a startup be to apply for VentureCat?

VentureCat is a startup competition, not a business idea competition. Applicants should be able to demonstrate that they have taken concrete steps to build a product or service that is addressing a market need. Teams may be in different stages with their businesses, but all applicants need to show progress beyond an initial idea.

Review the judging criteria (below) and determine if you are ready to address each area. Many applicants will be pre-revenue, although some may have already shown traction via sales or pilot programs.

Student founders should be actively working on your startup and able to demonstrate your level of commitment.

The judging criteria for all stages of application and competition is as follows:

PROBLEM
-Significant problem identified
-Validated by primary or secondary research
-Customer groups sized and identified

PROPOSITION (Value Prop & Business Model)
-Compelling solution with path to scalability or growth
-Differentiated customer value
-Demonstrated understanding of the competitive marketplace
-Business model outlined with realistic revenue sources

PROGRESS (Progress & Traction)
-Progress beyond idea stage: examples could include - proof of concept, customer research, customer outreach, testing, product development, patent or trademark application, sales, etc.
-Proposal for additional funding to accelerate progress

PEOPLE (Team)
-Presentation materials and Q&A demonstrates expertise, commitment, coachability, and thoughtful approach
-Immediate term and near-term team needs and skills identified
-Commitment to continuing beyond graduation

Do I have to have a registered company?

Yes. Teams must have a U.S. based registered business entity and its IRS Employer Identification Number (EIN), or a foreign entity at the time of application. All applicants will be required to upload a completed W-9 form for U.S. based entities. If an applicant has a foreign entity, they are required to upload documentation of company registration from the country of registration.

If selected as a semifinalist and awarded any prize money, students must have a U.S. based registered business entity and a completed W-9 form to receive payments. Payments will not be made to foreign entities. All VentureCat prize payments are made to companies, not individuals.

When do applications open and close?

VentureCat 2022 applications will be open March 29 - April 8.

What does the application entail?

10 slide pitch deck
60 second simple elevator pitch video (no graphics, just you speaking to camera)
Application questions based on the judging criteria

Teams must have a U.S. based registered business entity and its IRS Employer Identification Number (EIN), or a foreign entity at the time of application. All applicants will be required to upload a completed W-9 form for U.S. based entities. If an applicant has a foreign entity, they are required to upload documentation of company registration from the country of registration.

How are applications and semifinals and finals pitches evaluated?

The judging criteria for all stages of application and competition is as follows:

PROBLEM
-Significant problem identified
-Validated by primary or secondary research
-Customer groups sized and identified

PROPOSITION (Value Prop & Business Model)
-Compelling solution with path to scalability or growth
-Differentiated customer value
-Demonstrated understanding of the competitive marketplace
-Business model outlined with realistic revenue sources

PROGRESS (Progress & Traction)
-Progress beyond idea stage: examples could include - proof of concept, customer research, customer outreach, testing, product development, patent or trademark application, sales, etc.
-Proposal for additional funding to accelerate progress

PEOPLE (Team)
-Presentation materials and Q&A demonstrates expertise, commitment, coachability, and thoughtful approach
-Immediate term and near-term team needs and skills identified
-Commitment to continuing beyond graduation

Do winners give up an equity stake in their startups?

No. The prize money is non-dilutive capital and there is no exchange for equity with Northwestern University or any of our sponsors.

Am I eligible to participate if I graduated earlier this year?

Students who were in a degree-seeking Northwestern University program (full-time or part-time) in the current academic year of the VentureCat competition and graduated prior to the end of the academic year are eligible to apply.

Can Northwestern alumni participate?

Teams must consist of at least one currently enrolled degree-seeking Northwestern University student. The Northwestern student must be a co-founder and substantial equity holder in the business.

Can I apply in more than one track?

No. You can only apply to one of the tracks that is the most appropriate for your startup. The VentureCat organizers reserve the right to move entries to the most appropriate track.

Does my startup belong in the Social Impact track?

Social Impact businesses have a defining goal of creating positive, significant change that addresses a pressing social or sustainability challenge. If your startup is centered on delivering lasting benefits that address a pressing social or sustainability challenge, you may fit in the Social Impact track.

Does my startup belong in the Energy & Sustainability track?

Teams applying to the Energy & Sustainability track should be focused on solutions in the sustainability, energy and cleantech space that will be required to manage climate change, resource constraint and other environmental challenges.

Can I apply as a solo founder or are there any limits on number of team members?

Yes, you may apply if you are a solo founder and do not have team members. In your application, we would encourage you to discuss how you will build out your team and what skill sets you would be looking to add first.
There is not a limit to how large a team or group of co-founders can be. Only currently enrolled degree-seeking Northwestern students are allowed to pitch, but your team members may join to support in Q&A.

What is the time commitment if selected as a semifinalist?

VentureCat semifinalists are required to participate in the Pitch Prep Program and be present to pitch on competition day. The program includes many resources, but does not require many scheduled activities.

Attending a one-hour kickoff meeting
Brief call with program lead
Two 45-minute pitch coaching sessions
Working with a professional graphic designer on deck design needs on your schedule
Any prep time needed to practice and prepare your pitch
Competition day has activities throughout the entire day for teams that make it to finals

How much can I win?

All semifinalist teams will receive $1,000 as a selection award. In 2021, the first place track winners received $9,000 and the second place track winners received $6,000 in semifinals. The prizes awarded at finals were grand prize $150,000, second place $50,000 and third place $25,000. Therefore, a team that won their track and the grand prize could win $1,000 for selection, $9,000 + $150,000 = $160,000.

During the Public Showcase event we also awarded an audience favorite vote prize of $2,000.