1: Introduction

The present document defines the Unicorn Ambition Pitch Competition (the “Competition”) terms and conditions (hereafter “the Competition T&Cs”). It describes the rules that relate to the application and functioning of the Competition.

2: About the Competition

Black Men Talk Tech’s Unicorn Ambition Pitch Competition focuses on promoting entrepreneurship in the tech space for men of color. It is all about giving your early stage startups visibility, building popularity & getting the validation you need to build it into a successful business.  Since our inception, over $10M in funding has been invested into participating pitch competition finalists through curated investor connections.

3: Participation and Eligibility

Anyone with a solid idea & the determination to build it into a successful startup, and who fulfills each of the eligibility criteria below can apply 

Each applicant must be a legal resident of the United States and must be over eighteen (18) years of age.

To qualify for this pitch competition, the startup must fulfill the below the criteria:

• At least one founder must identify as a Black man
• Must be operating a tech or tech-enabled  scalable business
• Funding Stage: Seed or Series A
• Your company must be revenue-generating
• Must be a standalone idea/business that is not part of an existing business

Participation in the Competition is free of charge.

Applications must be completed in one session. Incomplete applications will not be considered.

Each applicant must submit 1 original idea, through 1 application only. Duplicate entries across chapters & ideas will be disqualified.

By participating, the applicant agrees to be fully and unconditionally bound by these Competition T&Cs and represents and warrants that it meets the eligibility requirements. In addition, the applicant agrees to accept the Organizers’ decisions relating to the content of this Competition as final and binding.

The organizers have the right to verify the eligibility of each Applicant. Entries that are incomplete or do not adhere to the rules or specifications may be disqualified at the sole discretion of the organizers.

If the applicant uses fraudulent methods or otherwise attempts to circumvent the rules, its submission may be removed from eligibility at the sole discretion of the organizers.

Any ideas or applications found to be plagiarized, offensive, or unethical may be screened & disqualified. 

An application may be disqualified at any stage if information provided through the application process or the rest of the Competition is found to be incorrect.

4: Timelines for the Competition are as follows:

• 1st October: Applications open
• 27th October: Application submission deadline at 11:59:59 PM  EST 
• 2nd November: Approved applicants will be notified of their participation
• 7th November: Finalists will be announced 
• 10th November: Pitch Competition Live during Unicorn Ambition Conference
• 10th November: Winner is announced Live during Unicorn Ambition Conference

5: Submitting an application

Eligible applicants can apply online for free by clicking here. 

The online application must include responses to all mandatory areas

Applicants must complete the Application form in English; any part of the application that is not in English may not be taken into account.

6: Competition Process

Approved applications will be notified on November 2nd, 2023

Pitch decks, files and materials must be submitted to the conference producer by November 8, 2023

In case of any questions, the organizers may be reached at production@blackwomentalktech.com

7: Prizes

The winner of the Unicorn Ambition Pitch Competition will receive the below prizes, subject to certain terms and conditions.

10,000USD in equity free funding toward build their business

8: Intellectual property

The applicants understand and agree that the organizers, anyone acting on behalf of the Organizer, and the Organizer’s licensees, successors, and assigns, shall have the right, where permitted by law, to print, publish, broadcast, distribute, and use in any media now known or hereafter developed, in perpetuity, without limitation, the applicant’s entry, name, portrait, picture, voice, likeness, image, statements about the Competition, and biographical information for news, publicity, information, trade, advertising, public relations, and promotional purposes, without any further compensation, notice, review, or consent.

By submitting his/her application, any applicant represents and warrants that the content of the application is an original work of authorship and does not violate any third party’s proprietary or intellectual property rights. If an entry of any applicant infringes upon the intellectual property right of another, he/she will be disqualified at the sole discretion of the organizers.

If the content of the entry is claimed to constitute infringement of any proprietary or intellectual proprietary rights of any third party, the applicant shall, at his/her sole expense, defend or settle against such claims. The applicant shall indemnify, defend, and hold harmless the organizers from and against any suit, proceeding, claims, liabilities, loss, damage, costs or expenses, which the organizers may incur, suffer, or be required to pay arising out of such infringement or suspected infringement of any third party’s right.

Applicants are fully responsible at all times for the protection of their intellectual property within the framework within their participation in the Competition.

9: Amendment

The organizers reserve the right, in their sole discretion, to cancel, terminate, modify or suspend the Competition should fraud, force majeure or other cause beyond the organizers’ control corrupt or affect the administration, security, fairness, or proper conduct of the Competition.

The organizers reserve the right, in their sole discretion, to disqualify any applicant who tampers or attempts to tamper with the entry process or the operation of the Competition or violates these Competition T&Cs. The organizers have the right, in their sole discretion, to maintain the integrity of the Competition. Any attempt by an applicant to deliberately damage or undermine the legitimate operation of the Competition may be a violation of criminal and civil laws. Should such attempt be made, the organizers reserve the right to seek damages to the fullest extent permitted by law.

10: Limitation of liability.

By applying, the applicant agrees to release and hold harmless the organizers and their subsidiaries, affiliates, advertising and promotion agencies, partners, representatives, agents, successors, assigns, employees, officers, and directors from any liability, illness, injury, death, loss, litigation, claim, or damage that may occur, directly or indirectly, whether caused by negligence or not, from: (i) the applicant’s participation in the Competition and/or its acceptance, possession, use, or misuse of the Prizes or; (ii) technical failures of any kind, including but not limited to the malfunction of any computer, cable, network, hardware, or software, or other mechanical equipment; (iii) the unavailability or inaccessibility of any transmissions, telephone, or Internet service; (iv) unauthorized human intervention in any part of the entry process or the Competition.

11: Communication

The official language of the Competition for the application, pitching, communication, and reporting is English.

Any communication regarding the Competition must be sent by email to hello@blackwomentalktech.com

12: Marketing Mailers & Survey Related Information:

Black Men Talk tech and/or its organizers will send important updates, follow ups and marketing emails to applicants registered email IDs at any time.

Black Men Talk Tech and/or its organizers may contact an applicant for understanding the applicant’s experience in the Competition with the intention of improving the experience of applicants in future events.

All information collected for the survey will not be shared with any third parties and will be used for internal purposes only.

Black Men Talk Tech’s partners may send promotional mailers to the applicants.

13: Updates to the Competition T&Cs

The organizers reserve the right to update the Competition T&Cs at any time. All updates will be posted on the organizers’ website: www.blackmentalktech.com

• Agree to Terms and Conditions