The Next Challenge for Media & Journalism is a national startup competition seeking groundbreaking for-profit and nonprofit startups that will reinvent media in the coming decade. For 2023, The Next Challenge is calling startups that can apply in one (and only one) of three divisions:

• Future of News Division: Up to $20,000 awarded to a startup pioneering new ways to report the news and provide communities with fact-based insight, analysis, and information.
• Top Creator Division: Up to $20,000 awarded to a creator-founded startup producing high-quality news, cultural, or educational content primarily for social media.
• Power Platform Division: Up to $20,000 awarded to a technology startup developing powerful ways for media content to be shared across the country and around the globe.

Over 20 weeks and numerous digital events, the Next Challenge will showcase early-stage media startups based in the United States. $130,000 in cash grants and other benefits will be awarded to media startups with less than $1 million in annual revenue.

Cash grants of up to $20,000 will be awarded to startups in three divisions. One grand prize winner will receive a total award of up to $50,000. Additional awards will be awarded to finalists, including an Audience Choice award voted on by the public.

Prizes:

• Eight prizes totaling $130,000 will be awarded to early-stage media startups in three different divisions and four different sub-awards. 
• Grand prize of up to $50,000 will be awarded to one early stage media startup 

SUBMISSION GUIDELINES:

Click here to review the complete submission guidelines.