IT’S TIME TO
DISCOVER
WHAT’S NEXT
The Next Challenge supports powerful and innovative startups reinventing media & journalism.
The Next Challenge for Media & Journalism is the largest startup competition open to nonprofit and for-profit media companies in the United States.
The annual 16-week challenge promotes groundbreaking ideas and trailblazing startups that will reinvent journalism and media over the coming decade.
In 2025, six prizes totaling $200,000 will be awarded to five early-stage media startups. Each division winner will receive a grant of up to $50,000 and will be eligible for an additional $25,000 Grand Prize.
Awarded to an innovative startup serving a specific local or regional geography, filling a gap in existing local news services.
Awarded to a startup building digital tools to address the critical tech needs of journalists and local news organizations.
The Open-Source Intelligence Award will be presented to a startup leveraging publicly available data in support of local journalism.
A grant of up to $12,500 will be awarded to an innovative finalist with a bold vision to reinvent media and journalism.
A grant of up to $12,500 will be awarded to a finalist investing in transparency and engagement efforts to strengthen trust with audiences.
2025 Competition Schedule
February 20
Applications Open @ Knight Media Forum in Miami
March 19 - April 14
Round One Application Judging
March 18
Application Deadline Due at 12:59p.m. PT
April 17
Division Finalists Announced
April 17 - May 15
Mentorship & Training for Finalists
May 15
Finalist Deadline
June 10
National Awards Celebration @ Media Impact Forum in Philadelphia
May 16 - June 6
Round Two Judging
As we enter the fourth year of the Next Challenge, we're searching for bold innovators who don't just weather the journalism industry's headwinds – they harness them.
We're looking for startups that leverage cutting-edge technology and AI to transform industry obstacles into opportunities as well as pioneering new business models that will strengthen local journalism across the nation.
This year’s competition is aligned with Press Forward, a national coalition of funders investing more than $500 million to strengthen local newsrooms, close longstanding gaps in journalism coverage, advance public policy that expands access to local news, and to scale the infrastructure the sector needs to thrive.
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"The Next Challenge is the best example we've come across of a complete awards process. The support, time commitment, and even UI of the submission process are all best in class. The sounding board of experts you're connected to also provided us with greater clarity of our go to market strategy. Apply!"
Josh Brandau, CEO & Co-founder, Nota
2024 Grand Prize & NewsTech Award Winner
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"The value of the Next Challenge goes beyond grant money by amplifying our mission to some of the nation's leading news and media organizations and investors. It fuels our commitment to building a platform that equips creators to not only tell their stories, but also to thrive in an ever-changing landscape.”
Michelle Kouri, CEO & Founder, Recordical
2024 Power Platform Award Winner
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“The Next Challenge was a game-changer for Rolli, providing the momentum we needed to secure funding, expand our platform, and forge key industry collaborations. The opportunities it created, both in investment and strategic partnerships, have been instrumental in our growth and impact on the journalism industry.”
Nick Toso, CEO & Founder, Rolli
2023 Next Challenge finalist
The Next Challenge National Awards Celebration will be held on June 10th at the Media Impact Forum, a media and journalism funders gathering at the National Constitution Center in Philadelphia.
2025 Next Challenge Partners
Next Challenge Competitions
2022 - 2024
journalism & media startups have applied from
868
states and U.S. territories.
47
127
mentors & judges have lent their expertise, and
has been given in grants & other awards.
$380k
of all winning startups have been BIPOC and/or female founded.
75%
The Next Challenge is a program of Glen Nelson Center at American Public Media Group, which identifies, elevates and invests in emerging media & journalism ventures led by diverse and visionary founders.
To date, Glen Nelson Center has supported the work of 1000+ startups and hundreds of entrepreneurs through investments, competitions, and incubator/accelerator programs.
Ready to learn more & apply?
Are you leading a trailblazing startup that will reinvent journalism and media over the coming decade?
The initial application to the Next Challenge should take less than an hour. Finalists are paired with an industry mentor and have the opportunity to participate in free training tailored to their needs.
Winning companies receive grants ranging from $12,500 to a Grand Prize of up to $75,000. Apply today!
