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What is the Charlotte Venture Challenge (CVC)

The Charlotte Venture Challenge is a start-up competition for early-stage high growth companies. The competition has a history of producing and showcasing some of the Southeast’s most successful early-stage companies. In the last three years, over 300 start-up companies entered the competition for the opportunity to present to potential investors, first customers, and the chance to win over $150,000 in cash prizes. During the final rounds of competition, the finalists present to Angel and Venture Capital Investors and large potential customers (Fortune 500 Corps).

  • A half day event with an evening reception that includes startup pitches, speakers, and lots of networking with entrepreneurs, investors, corporate executives and other community stakeholders.
  • Competition cash prizes ensure an engaged and excited audience of 300+ influencers in the last 3 years.

For more information
 Devin Collins, Ventureprise, Devin.Collins@uncc.edu

Demographics

  • 2016 entrants include 100+ SE based startups (46% based in Charlotte, USA)
  • Past corporate participants include corporate tech scouts, innovation executives, and venture development execu-tives at Lowes Inc., Electrolux Inc., Wells Fargo Inc., Belk Inc., Duke Energy Inc., MasterCard Inc., Husqvarna Inc., Ingersoll Rand Inc., SPX Inc., Bank of America Inc., Microsoft Inc., Flextronics Inc., Midrex Inc., Areva Inc., Carolina Healthcare Systems, and many others.
  • Past investor groups include Grotech Ventures, Idea Fund Partners, Noro-Moseley Partners, Sunbridge Partners, T2VC, Bull City Venture Partners, Hatteras Venture Partners, 8 Rivers Capital, Upstate Carolina Angel Network, IMAF West, Blue Ridge Angel Network, NJ Angels, 460 Angels, Wilmington Angel Network, , IMAF Cape Fear, Charlotte Angel Fund, Virginia Angel Network, Angel Capital Group, Piedmont Angel Network, and many others.

2016 Charlotte Venture Challenge (CVC)

The 27 finalists each had 5 minutes to pitch their start-up companies followed by Q&A from judging panels made up of investors and corporate innovation executives. While the judges deliberated, the audience heard a keynote by Chris Heivly, co-founder of MapQuest (sold to AOL for $1.2Billion). The final six teams included Grow Bioplastics (Knoxville, TN), Sweetie Pie Organics (Raleigh, NC), GuidePro3D (Cornelius, NC), uBack (Charlotte, NC), ThriveGPO (Fort Mill, SC) and Mad Dogg Heat Sleeve (Elon University). The final six teams pitched to the grand prize judging panel, which was made up of Sue Curley (Belk), Daniel Sondee (Ingersoll Rand), John Cambier (Idea Fund Partners), and Greg Brown (Charlotte Angel Fund).

2017 Charlotte Venture Challenge (CVC)

The competition supplies resources, recognition and connections to competitors as they advance through the various stages. The competition includes a series of workshops to prepare teams for the various rounds of competition. Over the course of three months, participants will learn about opportunity assessments, receive mentoring and connect with other entrepreneurs. During the final rounds of competition, the finalists present to Angel and Venture Capital Investors and large potential customers (Fortune 500 Corps.).