The Power of Us

PitchIt! Challenge

Got a big idea? Bring it.

We’ll invest $50,000 to help launch two digital media startups.

The 2012 We Media Pitchit Challenge is open for entries.
Entry and voting Deadline: Feb. 29, 2012.
Submit or vote now | Rules, Criteria & FAQ


Calling all founders, dreamers and social entrepreneurs

How will YOU build a better world through media and technology? Founders and would-be entrepreneurs can pitch their big ideas to a panel of business-launching experts. We’ll invest up to $25,000 in each of two ideas.

Slow pokes need not apply. Be ready to run. If you’re a finalist, you’ll bring your idea and present it live before judges and the audience at the 2012 We Media Conference on April 18 at Gannett / USAToday headquarters in McLean, Virginia. You’ll also participate in an online startup bootcamp and benefit from feedback and advice from a world-class network of world-changing We Media Mentors.

We Media PitchIt! begins with a simple goal: We want to surface and give a boost to powerful ideas – and help would-be entrepreneurs turn theirs into something real. We’re open to commercial and non-profit ideas. Each of two winners earns a small seed investment to help them build and launch something – along with feedback, attention and advice from funders, investors, corporations, fellow entrepreneurs, attendees, media and a global network of digital media visionaries.

We’ve created a platform for seed-stage companies to take center stage, we’ve developed a unique set of criteria to encourage bold ideas with a potential for commercial and social impact – and since 2009 we’ve used this platform to help launch some amazing companies.

How it works.

1. Enter the We Media PitchIt! Challenge. If you’re a finalist you’ll pitch your idea live before a panel of expert judges – and a live audience of leaders, innovators and investors of the connected society. The judges select the two best ideas. We’ll invest $25,000 in each to help the founders turn their ideas into reality.

2. Comment and vote. You don’t have to enter the challenge to make a difference. You can offer constructive feedback to help bring ideas to life – and you can vote to select the Community Choice Winners.

If you’d like to meet the finalists and see them pitch, register to attend the 2012 We Media Innovation Conference. Join our mailing list for details about how to register.

Read the PitchIt Rules