Introducing the Inaugural Female Founder Pitch Competition to Empower Female Entrepreneurs and Innovators
Date:
February 12, 2021
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Location:
Virtual
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Prize:
$5,000 1st place cash prize,
$500 runner up cash prize,
$500 audience prize,
and more in-kind prizes
Wharton Women in Business is pleased to announce the inaugural Female Founder Pitch Competition at this year’s Wharton Women’s Summit!
With only 2.8% of US venture capital funding going to women-led startups, we are excited to create a unique opportunity to spotlight women entrepreneurs, connect them to investors focused on female founders, and a chance to address the funding gap.
The competition is open to startups founded by current Penn students with majority female ownership. Up to 5 short-listed finalists will pitch to a panel of VCs and experienced entrepreneurs for a chance to win cash prizes, an audience prize, and other in-kind prizes.
For any questions, please reach out to whartonws2021@wharton.upenn.edu
December 4, 2020
Applications Open.
January 8, 2021
Applications Due.
Late January
Application Screening.
January 18, 2021
Top 5 Finalists Announced.
February 12, 2021
Top 5 Deliver Pitches & Winner Chosen
FAQ
Who is eligible to enter?
In order to be eligible for the Female Founder Pitch Competition, your business must meet the following criteria:
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At least 50% female ownership
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At least one founder must be a current Penn student (undergraduate, graduate, and leave of absence are eligible). The Penn student must have played a significant role in conceiving the venture, hold a key management role in the venture, be actively involved in the business venture, and may be required to be the primary presenter for the pitch on the day of the competition.
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Early stage (businesses that have raised more than $100,000 in institutional funding are not eligible--Institutional funding includes any funding from angel investors, VCs, and/or accelerator/incubator programs.)
I founded the venture before I started at Penn, can I enter?
Are judges required to sign NDAs?
No. The judges are friends of Wharton and Penn and have kindly agreed to provide professional and educational support to current students. As entrepreneurs and VC themselves, they are experienced handling confidential information.
Can I participate on more than one team?
Yes! You can participate on more than one team.
I am not in Wharton, can I enter?
Yes! We welcome applicants from any school across the Penn university ecosystem.
I am not a graduate student, can I enter?
Yes! We welcome applicants from any school across the Penn university ecosystem.
I am on a leave of absence, can I enter?
You may enter if at least one founder on the team has enrolled and started studies at Penn (completed at least one semester) prior to Fall 2020 and is currently on a leave of absence.
I am a Penn alumnus/alumna, can I enter?
Penn alumni cannot enter, but you may enter as part of a team as long as at least one founder is a current Penn student (undergraduate, graduate, and leave of absence are eligible).
I am an exchange student/post-doctoral student here for the year, can I enter?
No, but you may enter as part of a team as long as at least one founder is a current Penn student (undergraduate, graduate, and leave of absence are eligible).
Is there a minimum or maximum number of team members?
No, it is fine if you are the only team member or there are multiple, there is no minimum or maximum. However, please ensure the eligibility criteria is met.
Does my venture have to be incorporated?
A venture does not have to be incorporated to be eligible for entry. However, winners who wish to have the award paid to the company must have the company be incorporated and have an EIN. It can take several weeks to several months to incorporate and receive an EIN, so it is recommended that you begin the process well in advance. Failure to do so may result in requiring the award to be paid to an individual, which could have varying tax implications, depending on the team leader’s citizenship status.
Are nonprofit companies eligible to enter?
Yes, for-profit and nonprofit companies are both eligible.
Meet The Judges
Finalists



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