There’s still time to apply for Vinetta Project DC’s 2020 Venture Challenge

The Vinetta Project DC is extending the application deadline for its 2020 Venture Challenge to April 24.

The annual challenge welcomes women founders to the pitch stage for a chance to win $20,000. In past years, the Vinetta Project has hosted semifinalist pitch rounds in March and June, where two women founders from each event advance to the finals hosted in September. Due the COVID-19 pandemic, the organization hasn’t hosted any of its usual pitch events yet, and it hasn’t yet released details on its plans to do so.

The Vinetta Project DC chapter announced the app’s extension in a recent newsletter, where it also shared details about its new Vinetta’s Founder Portal. This portal allows founders to fill out a profile about their ventures, which can be updated as needed. Those interested in applying for the 2020 Venture Challenge must register in the portal to be considered.

In order to participate in the challenge, startups must have at least one female founder, who will pitch to teams of angel and seed investors. In the semifinal round, female founders will have two minutes to pitch, followed by questions from the judges. At the final pitch event, four founders will deliver an updated three-minute pitch and presentation followed by questions from the judging panel before they deliberate to pick a victor.

Stephanie Cummings of Please Assist Me took home the $20,000 grand prize last year. The 2019 Venture Challenge was hosted in conjunction with DC Startup Week.

Technical.ly has reached out to Dawn Meyers, the Vinetta Project D.C. director, for further details on the organization’s programming, but hasn’t heard back yet. Myers leads the District chapter after Kelly O’Malley accepted a position to manage the Georgetown Venture Lab last October.

Outside of this opportunity, the Vinetta Project is also hosting virtual learning sessions and wine nights.