Application and Evaluation

JUDGING RUBRIC

Evaluation Beyond Traditional Metrics

Companies will not be evaluated based on business maturity, including factors like how much money has been raised, revenue generated or number of employees.

Relevance

How does this product or service benefit the social needs of communities in Southwestern Pennsylvania?

Scalability

What is the plan for scaling this product/service?

Value Proposition

What value does this product offer to potential customers?

Feasibility

How will this product/service sustain itself, i.e., revenue/funding stream?

Market Differentiation

How is this product/service different from other products on the market?

Customer Acquisition

How will the product/service reach more customers/clients?

Financial Support

How does the team intend to raise the capital needed in order to roll out product/service?

Team and Leadership

Team can articulate both business and social impact cases for their solution and the team has the ability to execute on the business plan.

APPLICATION CRITERIA

You must be 18 years old or older

The submitting nonprofit, business, or individual must be based in one of these counties in Pennsylvania: Allegheny, Armstrong, Beaver, Butler, Fayette, Greene, Indiana, Lawrence, Washington, or Westmoreland. The startup's impact must also be in one of these counties

Must ensure that their participation does not violate their employer’s policies or procedures or any other third-party rights or obligations (e.g. non-competition agreements)

The applicant company leaders or individual and their immediate family members must not be employed by or affiliated with BNY Mellon, Innovation Works, or any of their/our parent and affiliate companies

Have not received funding of $50,000 or more in previous UpPrize cycles