The Young Professionals of Wellington (YPOW) welcome you to Xcelerate Wellington 2.0. This $10,000 business competition is designed to impact the local economy through the spirit of innovation and entrepreneurism. All business owners and entrepreneurs within the community are eligible to participate*.
The competition is intended to reflect and simulate the real-world process of entrepreneurs and business owners seeking funding. Judges will consider market opportunity, distinctive core competence, management capability, financial understanding, risk analysis, and investment potential.
YPOW members will work with participants, and act as first round judges in the preliminary round. A scorecard will be used to judge all submitted business plans. The scorecard is consistent with what most venture capital or early stage/angel investors need to understand to make a determination to invest on a particular venture.Participants will have the opportunity to meet and network with experienced venture capital principals, early stage angel investors, successful entrepreneurs and senior business leaders receiving valuable feedback.
Finalists will pitch their businesses in a LIVE Final Round Pitch competition simulating the process of entrepreneurs soliciting start-up or expansion funds from investors.
The success of the winning business reflects the judges’ determination as to whether the submitted materials communicate proof of concept, if the concept and plan is fatally flawed, fixable or perfect and whether it merits funding or further work.
*See Contest Rules / Eligibility for full details.
APPLY TODAY! – Application Deadline Dec. 22nd!