The Startup Brewery Challenge, Brewbound’s one-of-a-kind business pitch competition for craft brewery entrepreneurs, will return for its sixth installment this summer in Brooklyn.

On June 9 at the Brewbound Session business conference, 10 craft brewery owners who have been on the market for two years or less will take the stage to show off their business plans, sample one core product offering and receive immediate feedback from a panel of five expert judges.

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Presented by Craft Brew Alliance, this year’s Startup Brewery Challenge features two prizes:

• Selected by judges and a voting audience, the grand prize winner with the best overall pitch and product will receive $5,000 to be used to fuel the growth of their emerging business. Grand prize winners will also receive free entry into the Dec. 1 Brewbound Session in San Diego and have an opportunity to participate in one-on-one strategy consulting sessions with Startup Brewery Challenge judge, brand strategist, and Good Beer Hunting founder Michael Kiser.
• Another prize category, “Brother for a Day,” will be awarded to the entrepreneur whom judges determine could benefit most from the opportunity to meet with and learn from Craft Brew Alliance executives. “Brother for a Day,” winners will receive an all-expenses-paid trip to Portland, Ore., take an extensive tour of the company’s production brewery, participate in Widmer Brothers’ daily taste panel and receive business coaching from the CBA team. “Brother for a Day” winners will also be featured in Brewbound’s “Learning Curve” documentary series, which follows Startup Brewery Challenge participants on their entrepreneurial adventures.

Format

Participants are given three minutes to explain their business propositions and company mission statements, and will then receive immediate feedback from a judging panel that will include accomplished beer executives, innovative brewers, craft marketing experts and investors.

Pitching in front of a more than 200 industry professionals, Startup Brewery Challenge participants will also be allowed to visually showcase their brands with Powerpoint slides.

Entry

Think you — and your beer — have got what it takes to be crowned the winner of Startup Brewery Challenge 6?

Simply visit the application page for a complete listing of rules and selection criteria. Applicants must be registered to attend the Brewbound Session and will be evaluated and chosen by the Brewbound team. Questions about the competition can be directed to Jon Landis at jlandis@bevnet.com or 617-231-8834.

Additional Information

To get an idea of what the Startup Brewery Challenge is all about, you can rewatch each presentation from our most recent competition in San Diego this past December.

Detailed information on the format and selection process can be found on the application.

Past winners of the Startup Brewery Challenge include Wynwood Brewing Company, Braxton Brewing Company, CODA Brewing, Appalachian Mountain Brewery and 5 Stones Brewing.

In 2014, as a direct result of participating in the Startup Brewery Challenge, Appalachian Mountain Brewery and CBA formed a strategic partnership. That partnership recently evolved into a master distribution arrangement and a commitment from CBA to market, sell and distribute AMB products exclusively through its wholesale network.

About Brewbound Session:

Combining the best in business information and networking, the Brewbound Session offers an unmatched strategic learning opportunity for craft brewers and wholesalers. Focused on the business side of craft brewing, the event will take place in Brooklyn on June 9.

The Brewbound Session provides an excellent opportunity to learn marketing, investment, and distribution strategies, as well as hear case studies of successful brands in a highly collaborative atmosphere. The upcoming conference is aimed at supporting both established and emerging craft brands, with a focus on helping brewery owners improve their businesses as the craft category becomes increasingly competitive.