General Overview:
She Is Near, a grassroots DAO dedicated to empowering women in the Blockchain ecosystem, proposes hosting a Pitch Event for Women Founders during the upcoming EthCC in Brussels. This pitch event aims to provide a platform for women entrepreneurs to showcase their projects, receive feedback from industry experts, and compete for funding and incubation opportunities with our DAO. By highlighting the achievements and potential of women-led projects, this event seeks to promote diversity, inclusion, and innovation within the NEAR and global Blockchain community.
Date: Wednesday July 10th. From 9am to 1pm
Venue: TDB - A centric venue with historical charm
Partners: Brunch 'n Babes run by Anishi R. (I cannot add the links to their socials on this platform)
Brunch N’ Babes is a platform aimed at addressing the gender gap in Web3. Their mission is clear: to empower women and nonbinary individuals by connecting them with mentors, funding and learning opportunities in the blockchain industry. They have a global community of women coming together for live events in cities such as Bangalore, Dubai, Berlin and now Brussels, diving into all things Web3 from legal to product development. They will be joining She is Near for creating a more inclusive and diverse Web3 community.
We are on the lookout for more partners and sponsors to make sure we create the best and gradious experience for the inclusion and showcase of women talent during EthCC in Brussels.
Goal:
The primary goal of the Pitch Event for Women Founders is to empower women entrepreneurs in the ecosystem by providing them with a platform to showcase their projects, receive valuable feedback, and access funding and incubation opportunities from She is Near.
Objective:
- To attract a diverse range of women-led projects already building or wanting to build on NEAR Protocol and other chains.
- To provide a supportive and inclusive environment for women founders to pitch their ideas and receive constructive feedback.
- To offer funding and incubation opportunities to winning projects or start ups, enabling them to further develop and scale their ventures.
- To promote gender diversity and inclusion within the NEAR and global blockchain community by highlighting the achievements and potential of women entrepreneurs.
Pitch Format:
We will host a Networking Breakfast and then move on with Following the pitch presentation, the judging panel will have the opportunity to ask questions to clarify any aspects of the project or business model.
Program:
- Welcome - 10min
- Pitches - 1h20
- Networking Pause - 20min
- Pitches - 1h20
- Networking Snacks and Drinks - 50min
- Winner Announcement and Closing - 20min
Total Duration 4 hours - 9am to 1pm
Presentation Time:
- Each pitch presentation will be limited to 4 minutes.
- The Q&A session will be limited to 3 minutes per team. Judges may ask questions related to the project’s feasibility, scalability, market potential, team composition, and other relevant factors.
Notation:
- Each pitch presentation will be evaluated based on predetermined criteria, including innovation, feasibility, market potential, team strength, and presentation quality.
- Judges will use a standardized scoring rubric to assign numerical ratings to each criterion, with a total possible score of 100 points.
- Notation will be provided to participants after the pitches, including scores and feedback from the judging panel.
Key Performance Indicators (KPIs):
- Number of Women-Led Projects Submitted: Target of 20 submissions.
- Diversity of Project Verticals: Ensure representation across various sectors, including DeFi, NFTs, gaming, social impact, and more
- Quality of Feedback: Measure the satisfaction of participants with the feedback received from judges and mentors.
- Pick 3 winners and open the possibility to incubate up to 7 projects
- Post-Event Success of Winning Projects: Track the progress of winning projects post-competition, including fundraising, product development, and user adoption.
Financial Breakdown:
- Venue: $4,000
- Catering: $4,000
- Prize Pool for Winning Projects: $2,000
- Sub-Total: $10,000
Promotion and Merch:
- General Merch: $500
- Banner, stickers, flyers:
- Design: $500 (including merch)
- Printing: $500
- Shipping & Handling $300
- Wallet activation: $200
- Sub-Total: $2,000
Travel expenses for 4 Core DAO Members:
- Flights + Visas: $4,000
- Accommodation for 4 nights: $2,000
- Sub-Total: $6,000
Total Budget Request: $18,000
Benefits to NDC and She Is Near:
- Enhances the diversity and inclusivity of the NDC program by providing a dedicated platform for women entrepreneurs.
- Highlights She Is Near’s commitment to supporting and empowering women, aligning with the broader mission of fostering diversity and innovation.
- Strengthens the NEAR community by showcasing the talent and potential of women founders and encouraging collaboration and mentorship opportunities.
Summary:
The Pitch Competition for Women Founders by She is Near is a strategic initiative aimed at promoting gender diversity, inclusion, and innovation within the blockchain ecosystem. By providing women entrepreneurs with a platform to showcase their projects and access funding opportunities, this event contributes to the overall growth and vibrancy of the NEAR community. We seek funding support from NDC to ensure the success and impact of this important initiative.