While venture or angel money helps startups get their product ready and build a team, it helps little in terms of finding customers. A new event is trying to change the equation.
EXPANDMYBRAND
A new startup competition is taking shape in New York but unlike existing events of this kind it is focusing on Marketing and startups building marketing technology. The EXPANDMYBRAND startup competition is the first of its kind, according to Sean Pfitzenmaier,
serial entrepreneur and Director of Innovation & Technology of the marketing agency Edge Collective who is behind the effort.
“Whereas most startup competitions provide young companies the opportunity to pitch in front of investors (whether they be angel or VC) we're providing the opportunity for very specific young companies (those building marketing technologies) to pitch in front of large brands, their ideal customers”, explains Sean.
Another differentiator is the fact that instead of money, the winning startup will also gain help in the form of $30,000 worth of incubation assets, like office space, full time biz dev team, web development and design team, customer introductions and everything you need to turn your product into a business and that business into revenue.
This is huge because money is really not the major problem startups face, it is finding customers. If at the end of the competition you have someone like the CMO for Starbucks or Nike helping you identify customers or even become customers themselves, you are one step closer to discovering a gold mine.
Since New York is the hub of major brands and advertising agencies, it is only natural the competition to be held there, says Sean.
It is still too early to tell which companies, startups, and brands will be represented but Google, LexiNexus, and ESPN have confirmed their presence. Judges will be senior marketing officials at large brands, a mix of Directors of Marketing and CMOs.
If your startup is toying with marketing-related technology or services, this is a good starting point for validating your idea and getting feedback directly from your target customer.
The Details
Event: EXPANDMYBRAND
Website: http://edge-collective.com/expand-my-brand/
Where: New York, NY
When: September 27, 2012
What: 5 startups will receive the opportunity to pitch their startup ideas to a panel of today’s top brands and social media thought leaders to win $30,000 in “incubation assets”.
Registration deadline: To have a chance at being selected, your startup must be registered for the Startup Challenge by Friday, September 14th.