UNICORN CHALLENGE

Submit your fintech concept for the chance to pitch to a panel of industry-leaders and an audience of payments professionals. By participating in the Women in Payments Unicorn Challenge, you'll gain valuable feedback and expert advice that can help you take your fintech start-up further, faster. It is unlike any women entrepreneurship awards program.


If you're a female innovator of a fintech start-up, this is an opportunity you don't want to miss. Past winning fintech start-ups from around the globe include Soundpays, VeeLoop, and Thrive Savings, among others.


The judging panel includes leading women experts from across the global payments industry. Their chosen winner will have a chance to pitch to major market leaders for further guidance and expert insights.


The Unicorn Challenge is a great opportunity to form meaningful connections with industry experts and influencers, while honing your pitching skills.


Competitors will have a chance to win the "Judges Choice" award which earns them a one-hour meeting with leading market incumbents. An "Audience Choice" award will be presented to a competitor, as voted by the audience via a live-voting app.


Monetary prize money:

Judges choice: $20,000

Audience choice $5,000

Terms and Conditions apply.

Nov 4, 2024 to Jan 10, 2025 (EST)

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The Ritz-Carlton, Tysons Corner
1700 Tysons Boulevard, McLean, Virginia, USA, 22102
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APPLICATION Register

Unicorn Challenge
Complimentary

CRITERIA

CRITERIA

  • Your start-ups may be up to five years old, and up to Series-B funding
  • You can have a maximum of 1 presenter per organization
  • Submissions must include current photos and bio of presenter
  • Participating Fintech's must be female led and founded
  • Open only to US-based Fintech's.


Women in Payments reserves the right to grant or refuse, at its sole discretion, speaking opportunities to any applicant. Limited spots are available.

DOCUMENTS

USA 2025 - Unicorn Challenge.pdf

TERMS

TERMS AND CONDITIONS


Your team's submission in connection with the Women in Payments Unicorn Challenge ("Submission") will be evaluated by judges who will choose the winner in accordance with the rules established by Women in Payments ("WIP"). Judging criteria and rules can be found on the WIP Unicorn Challenge website. The decisions of the judges are binding and final in all respects. Prizes will be awarded based on criteria established by WIP. WIP reserves the right to substitute prizes for any reason or to award no prizes at all. You are responsible for determining Your eligibility to receive a prize. WIP reserves the right to disqualify You and/or Your team if, in WIP's sole discretion, WIP believes that You or Your team have attempted to undermine the legitimate operation of WIP Unicorn Challenge by cheating, deception, or other unfair conduct or if You and/or Your team annoy, abuse, threaten or harass any other participants, WIP or the judges. Any false information provided by You in connection with WIP Unicorn Challenge concerning identity, mailing address, compliance with these Terms and Conditions or the like may result in the immediate elimination of You and/or Your team from WIP Unicorn Challenge.  

By participating in the WIP Unicorn Challenge, you and your team agree to be bound by these terms and conditions and to waive any all claims against WIP and Sponsor PNC Bank, National Association, for any injury, damage, or loss that may occur, directly or indirectly, in whole or in part, from participation in the WIP Unicorn Challenge or from receipt or use of the prize.


Eligibility Restrictions: 

Employees of Women in Payments ("WIP"), PNC Bank, National Association ("PNC"), and any other contest sponsors (if applicable), as well as their immediate family members or members of their households, are not eligible to participate in the WIP Unicorn Challenge. For purposes of this provision, "immediate family members" are defined as spouses, children, siblings, and parents, regardless of their place of residence.

 

Release of Liability:

By participating in the WIP Unicorn Challenge, you and your team agree to release, discharge, and hold harmless WIP, PNC, and any other contest sponsors (if applicable), as well as their respective affiliates, directors, officers, employees, and agents, from and against any and all liability, claims, or actions of any kind whatsoever, arising out of or relating to your participation in the WIP Unicorn Challenge, including without limitation, injuries, damages, or losses to persons or property, or claims based on publicity rights, defamation, or invasion of privacy.

 

Publicity Release: 

By accepting a prize in the WIP Unicorn Challenge, each winner grants WIP, PNC, and their respective affiliates, the irrevocable right to use, reproduce, and publicize the winner's name, likeness, image, biographical information, and any prize-related information, including but not limited to, announcements in promotional materials, online, in print, or other media, worldwide, without limitation and without additional compensation or notice, except where prohibited by law.

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