FAQ.

+ Why should I apply to the Next Challenge?

The Next Challenge is an unparalleled opportunity for your media startup to connect with industry leaders and move your venture forward. Benefits of participating in the Next Challenge include:

• The opportunity to strengthen your pitch
• Exposure to potential partners and investors
• Finalist recognition and promotional opportunities throughout the competition
• Industry-specific mentors and training events for division finalists
• Non-dilutive cash prizes
• Grand prize awarded to the most promising media venture

+ Who is eligible?

• Legally incorporated for-profit and non-profit media startups based in the United States of America and U.S. Territories. A venture is considered U.S.-based if it is legally incorporated in the U.S. and if the majority of employees and/or contractors live in the United States.

• Ventures that were founded no more than five years prior to the application deadline (no earlier than March 18, 2020).

• Ventures that have earned less than US$1,000,000 (gross revenue including philanthropic support) in the twelve months ending December 31, 2024. This does not include investment dollars.

• Ventures that have made progress against their concept (e.g., a working prototype, minimum viable product.)

Previous Next Challenge Division Award winners and companies where American Public Media Group (APMG) has an ownership stake are not eligible to apply. Refer to the official rules for detailed eligibility requirements.

+ What are the award divisions and cash awards?

Startups can apply in one (and only one) of three divisions:

• Future of Local Journalism Award - Up to $50,000 awarded to an innovative startup serving a specific local or regional geography, filling a gap in existing local news services.

• NewsTech Award - Up to $50,000 awarded to a startup building digital tools to address the critical tech needs of journalists and local news organizations.

• Open-Source Intelligence Award - Up to $50,000 awarded to a startup leveraging publicly available data to strengthen the fact-finding, verification, and accountability capabilities of local journalists.

An additional Grand Prize Award of up to $25,000 will be given to a Division Winner selected by the Grand Prize Jury.

Additional awards will be given to outstanding Division Finalists. Division Winners are not eligible for these additional finalist awards.

• Vision Award - Up to $12,500 awarded to a finalist with a bold vision to reinvent media and journalism.

• Trust Award - Up to $12,500 awarded to a finalist investing in transparency and engagement efforts to strengthen relationships with low trust audiences.

+ How long will it take to apply?

We value your time! The initial application should take 15 minutes to complete. Applicants that make it to the Division Prize rounds will be asked to submit a pitch deck and short video. Division finalists will also be invited to optional activities including a mentorship session and relevant training. Our goal is that applicants that make it all the way to the Grand Prize round will spend no more than two hours preparing for the Next Challenge.

+ What are the application deadlines?

First-stage applications will be accepted until Tuesday, March 18, 2025 at 11:59 p.m. PT

Division Finalists and Division Winners will be notified when additional information is needed for future rounds.

+ Where do I apply?

First-stage applications can be completed online using the YouNoodle platform. A link to the application is available on the “Apply” page.

+ How are applications judged?

APMG, with support from independent judges with media, investing, and/or subject matter expertise, will review all eligible entries and score them according to the following weighted criteria:

• Division Fit: How well is the startup addressing the needs that the division exists to address? (30%)
• Innovation: Is this an innovative idea? Does the startup propose a novel, disruptive or unique business concept? (20%)
• Audience Impact: Does the startup have a well-defined target market? Will this venture have a significant positive impact on its intended audience? (20%)
• Business Model: Does the plan indicate how the product/service will be distributed, have a realistic revenue and pricing model, and demonstrate potential to grow sustainably? Is there evidence that the business concept works?(20%)
• Team: Does the team have relevant experience and understand their target audience(s)? (10%)

+ How will the awards be distributed?

Cash/non-dilutive grants will be transferred to the winning ventures’ commercial bank accounts upon the verification of application information within 60 days of prize notification.

+ Will applicants be required to attend any in-person events?

Division Finalists must virtually attend the Next Challenge National Awards Celebration on June 10th. The event will be part of the 2025 Media Impact Forum in Philadelphia, PA.

Finalists are not required to attend the event in person, and we cannot reimburse for travel-related expenses.

Mentorship meetings and other seminars or events during the competition will be held virtually.

+ What additional (non monetary) benefits will competitors receive?

All eligible applicants will have the opportunity to hone their pitch and will receive feedback on their application from competition judges.

Up to 30 Division Finalists will be assigned one or more mentors with relevant startup, business and/or industry experience. Mentors will meet with their startup at least once to hone their pitch and business plan to prepare for the finalist rounds.

In addition, free educational seminars will be planned for all Division Finalists based on a survey of finalists. These optional seminars will be hosted by Next Challenge partner organizations.

+ What does the mentorship phase entail?

While not required, it is strongly recommended that Division Finalist teams meet with their assigned mentors virtually at least once for one hour prior to submitting their finalist materials. Division Winners and their mentors will be encouraged to meet again to prepare for the Grand Prize Jury.

+ How will The Next Challenge manage application information?

First round application data will be shared with Next Challenge partners including sponsoring organizations and judges. We will not publicly publish first round applicant information including startup names, web addresses, and descriptions.

Division Finalists, Division Winners and Grand Prize Winner(s) will be required to release their information for publicity purposes.

Any personally identifiable information sent to, shared with or collected by APMG on this website and the YouNoodle platform is subject to APMG’s Privacy Policy.

+ Does my company need to be registered as a business?

All Entrants must be a legally and validly formed non-profit or for-profit entity.

+ Can nonprofits apply?

Yes, the Next Challenge is open to both nonprofit and for-profit ventures. Nonprofit applicants need to be incorporated but do not need to have formally received 501(c)3 status.

+ Can I apply if I’m not a U.S. citizen?

The Next Challenge is open to startups based in the United States of America and U.S. Territories. A venture is considered U.S.-based if it is legally incorporated in the U.S. and if the majority of employees and/or contractors live in the United States. You do not need to be a U.S. citizen to apply.

+ Can I apply if my company is registered outside of the U.S?

No, the Next Challenge is open only to startups based in the United States of America and U.S. Territories. A venture is considered U.S.-based if it is legally incorporated in the U.S. and if the majority of employees and/or contractors live in the United States.

+ Can I apply if I serve customers outside of the U.S?

Yes, the Next Challenge is open to startups based in the United States of America and U.S. Territories serving audiences anywhere in the world.

+ Can I apply more than once or in more than one division?

You can only be the point of contact for one application and each startup can only apply in one division. You are welcome to be on the team for multiple applications.

+ What happens if I submit an application after the deadline?

Applications will not be accepted after the deadline. Please contact support@younoodle.com if you are having difficulty with the application form.

+ Can my team reapply next year?

Absolutely! All applicants, except past Division and Grand Prize winners, are eligible to apply again.

+ I would like to support The Next Challenge. How can I get involved?

We would love your support! Contact Glen Nelson Center to get involved.

+ Who can I contact if I have questions about the application process?

Please contact team@thenextchallenge.com or use our contact form if you have questions about the application process.

+ Who can I contact if I have technical issues with the application form?

Please check out the FAQ section on the YouNoodle website, if you have technical questions about the application form. If you cannot find the answer to your question, please contact the YouNoodle support team at support@younoodle.com.