TechCrunch is hosting a pitch event in DC and you can still apply

TechCrunch, the tech news publication and organizer of the giant yearly TechCrunch Disrupt pitch competition, is coming to D.C.

The company is gearing up to host its meetup + pitch-off event on Feb. 21, an event during which the “cream of the D.C. startup crop” will be invited to pitch to a panel of VCs and TechCrunch editors. The prize on the line? The chance to attend TechCrunch Disrupt in New York this May.

Emma Comeau, the U.S. director of events for TechCrunch, told Technical.ly that this is the second time TechCrunch has hosted an event in D.C. “We try to explore different centers of the tech around the country but had to come back here as there has been tremendous growth over the past few years,” she wrote.

Want to have your startup’s voice heard? Good news — you can still apply to pitch at the event. Put in an application quickly, though — applications close Feb. 6.

Apply

Comeau offered some advice for startups thinking of applying. “The biggest thing is to have a clear focus of who your target market is, and understand what they want,” she wrote. “Startups who bring that to the table usually have really strong pitches. It’s also a smart idea to understand how you differ from similar companies and what sets you apart.” And should you get accepted to pitch, the preparation doesn’t stop there. “For startups that get selected, it’s important to take advantage of our pitch office hours, where we help you refine your pitching skills,” Comeau advised. “Practice makes perfect!”

Not ready to pitch but want to be in the room at Echostage on Feb. 21? Then we’ve got some even better news — we’re raffling off 10 free tickets! Enter the raffle by signing up for our daily #dctech newsletter (it’s awesome, we promise) and entering the code “TechCrunch.”