The Elevator World Tour™ will have America’s best startups delivering their elevator pitches—in an actual elevator—as they compete for a $100,000 investment.
New York, NY, April 15, 2014 — On May 22, dozens of the country’s most promising startups will be pitching a panel of investors and experts, hoping to secure fame and funding. But this isn’t your ordinary startup contest, because each entrepreneur has only the time it takes to ride the elevator to the top of One World Trade Center to convince judges they’re the best.
“We’re thrilled that the first event in One World Trade Center showcases American innovation,” said Phil Telio, the event’s organizer. “It’s a reminder that the country was built on entrepreneurs, and that the world’s greatest companies start with a great idea and an unstoppable founder.”
In startup circles, an ‘elevator pitch’ is a short summary of your business model—ideally delivered in less time than it takes to ride an elevator, but compelling enough to get a follow-up meeting.
The contest is part of a worldwide startup contest known as the Elevator World Tour that runs literal elevator pitches in some of the world’s most iconic buildings. Other stops on the tour have included Toronto’s CN tower and the Azrieli Tower in Tel Aviv, with upcoming events in Rio de Janeiro, Barcelona, Paris, Berlin, Dubai and Santiago.
Up to 100 aspiring startups will compete for an investment of $100,000 from a team of angel investors. Judges so far include Jamie O’Hara of Grise Global Groupe, Jesse Kaplan of Plazacorp, Danny Knafo, Michael Hollinger, Randy Smerik of OsunaTech and Geoff Judge of iNovia Capital. Additional judges will be named shortly.
Startups can apply to pitch before May 7th at http://elevatorworldtour.com/new-york.html. The event takes place from 4:30 PM to midnight on May 22nd at One World Trade Centre.
About the Elevator World Tour™
The Elevator World Tour™ (http://www.elevatorworldtour.com) travels to the world’s most active startup cities, and the world’s most impressive elevators, connecting entrepreneurs and investors around the globe. The Tour is a spinoff of the International Startup Festival (http://www.startupfest.com), an event for startups, entrepreneurs, and investors that brings over 2,000 people from 20 countries together each year.
Press, media, and sponsorship inquiries:
Alexis Stoller
Voce Communications
+1-202-997-9862
astoller@vocecomm.com
Additional content:
- Art-ready logos and photos of past events are available at http://bit.ly/EWT-materials
- Video footage from an elevator pitch contest at Startupfest can be seen at http://bit.ly/ElevatorVideo
- Follow Startupfest on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/startupfest
- Video overview of the World Tour and past events are at http://bit.ly/ElevatorOverview
