LOS ANGELES, CA --(Marketwired - December 06, 2016) - Digital Entertainment World (DEW) today announced the opening of submissions for the 4 th annual DEW Startup Pitch and Competition. Sponsored by IDG Ventures, Rackspace Startups and Gerard Fox Law, PC and slated for February 2, the DEW Startup Pitch & Competition is one of the most anticipated events of the year. The competition will be held on the DEW Innovation Stage, where startups will be featured alongside leading technology and VR/AR exhibitors, who will present lightning talks, demos and presentations showcasing the latest technological and VR/AR innovations in digital entertainment.
For the competition, 12 innovative startups with technologies or services for the digital entertainment ecosystem will be selected to compete in a live pitch faceoff before a panel of top digital investors. In addition to valuable exposure to the digital, entertainment, media and investor communities, these startups will have an opportunity to win a prize package that will help them grow their business.
"As one of the premier organizations dedicated to digital entertainment innovation, it's very important to us that we provide a platform to showcase the next class of digital media game-changers," said Ned Sherman, Co-Creator and Chair of Digital Entertainment World. "This year's finalists will have the opportunity to present and showcase their technologies alongside world class leaders in entertainment technology."
Over the past 2 years, DEW has awarded over $900,000 in prizes to startups throughout the world. These prizes are awarded through a highly competitive process where startups are screened and vetted online by a panel of A-list investors who review hundreds of applications online and select the best of the best to compete on stage at DEW. The 12 selected finalists make live pitch presentations during the conference to judging panels of leading investors and VCs looking for creativity, innovation, need in the marketplace, strength of team and presentation, as well as future success of profitability.
The 2017 Judges include:
- Andrew Farage, Digital Media & Investments, New Media Ventures, United Talent Agency
- Dylan Boyd, Director, New Programs Development, R/GA Ventures
- Clinton Foy, Managing Director, CrossCut Ventures
- Richard Jun, Managing Partner, Bam Ventures
- Pat Kenealy, Managing Director, IDG Ventures USA
- Ken Umezaki, President, Digital Daruma
- Mike Vorhaus, President, Magid Advisors
- Jason Kay, Venture Partner, AID Partners Capital Holdings
- Francis Pollara, Venture Associate, Special Projects Manager, Luma Pictures
- Gerard Fox, Founder & Managing Partner, Gerard Fox Law
- Brandon Leopoldus, Of Counsel, Gerard Fox Law
- Sean Branagan, Director, Center for Digital Media Entrepreneurship, Newhouse School, Syracuse University
- Karen Allen, Principal, Karen Allen Consulting
- Steve Bradbury, President & Head Coach, Deep Sports
All finalists receive two (2) all-access registrations to 2017 DEW ($2,590 value), an exhibit booth next to the Innovation Stage ($3,500 value) and $1,000 per month in free hosting service for 12 months on Rackspace ($12,000 value). The winner of the 2017 prize package will also receive a year of free premium hosting service on Rackspace ($24,000 value), an invitation to the San Francisco office of IDG Ventures for a two-hour consultation with senior partners of the firm, and legal and business consulting services valued at $25,000 from the law firm of Gerard Fox Law, PC.
"We put a lot of time, thought and resources into the event and competition and believe that these awards will help support deserving startups," said Sherman. "In addition to the awards, the experience of participating in this competition creates opportunities to develop lasting connections with industry insiders and influencers, further expanding the community and fostering digital innovation."
Eligible startups must have a demonstrable product or service in the market (or in beta) and cannot have raised more than $5 million (USD) in external financing. In addition, all startups selected must be prepared to talk about their products and services in public, while agreeing to have it recorded for public broadcast. All entries for consideration must be submitted online by January 1, 2017 .
About DEW:
DEW is a two-day conference offering 75+ sessions featuring notable guests and speakers from leading companies in the industry. DEW is owned and produced by Digital Media Wire, a media and marketing consultancy and event producer with leading events including NY Media Festival, NY Games Conference, Future of Television, Digital Music Forum and LA Games Conference.
For information on limited sponsorship opportunities, please contact Tinzar Sherman .
Media Contact: Lynessa Williams lynessa@transform.pr
