The North Dakota Department of Commerce has announced a competition on May 30 in Bismarck during which $21,000 will be up for grabs. The Innovate ND Idea & Venture Competition allows interested entrepreneurs to compete in one of two fields during the full-day event: ideas and ventures. Those in the Idea Competition should working on very early-stage startups and ideas, whereas those in the Venture Competition should have startups that are ready for venture capital opportunities. See the full guidelines here.

In addition to this event, the Department of Commerce is also continuing its Innovate ND boot camps this Saturday and Sunday. The full-day events will focus on perfecting the startup pitch and the investment testing ground. Check out the extra program details below:

One of the important strategic decisions facing any entrepreneur is determining when to raise money to catalyze growth in order to capture market opportunities for their new venture. In this boot camp you will learn how to develop and pitch the story of your new venture to potential investors, stakeholders, and key employees. You will receive the essential structure of the 13 points every investor presentation must contain. You will also not only get to craft your concise positioning statement, known as the elevator pitch, but you will get to practice your pitch to a panel of real investors and business mentors who will provide you practical and insightful advice about your venture. The outcome from this boot camp is that you’ll leave with a clear vision and new skills for presenting your business to others that pass the interest test, the momentum test, and the critical investability test. 

Innovate ND participants have the opportunity to obtain funding from the Department of Commerce in the amount of $21,000, so be sure to keep these programs in mind and view them on the entity’s website.