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Scale Up Pitch Challenge FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

August 4, 2023. There will be no applications accepted after 11:59pm on this date.
Entrepreneurs with ideas and concepts that is in the initial or early stages of development, no more than ten years. Have a founder who is Black (of African descent), who maintains an ‘at least equal stake’ in the startup.
Be a U.S. citizen and 18 years or older.
Founders must disclose any funding already received at the time of registration. There is an allowance for an idea or concept to be already funded before this Challenge by personal or family funds, small amounts of seed capital from outside investors, or modest amounts of funding stemming from institutional or research grants.
You do not need to be a current member of the NBMBAA® to apply, however if you are chosen to advance to the semi-finals, you must become a member.

The winnings from the pitch challenge is non-dilutive and you will not have any financial obligation to the NBMBAA®.

Yes, you can apply as long as you have not won first place in a previous NBMBAA® Scale Up Pitch Challenge.
All applicants will be notified if they did or did not advance to the semi-finals by August 20th.
Only one person is allow to present and pitch at the competition.
[vc_row full_width=”stretch_row_content_no_spaces”][vc_column][vc_row_inner el_id=”micro-nav-container”][vc_column_inner][vc_wp_custommenu nav_menu=”385″ el_class=”micro-nav container”][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row full_width=”stretch_row_content_no_spaces” css=”.vc_custom_1500941907996{border-bottom-width: 0px !important;padding-bottom: 0px !important;}” el_class=”homepage-slider mcg_show_mobile”][vc_column css=”.vc_custom_1466760134464{margin-bottom: 0px !important;padding-bottom: 0px !important;background-position: center !important;background-repeat: no-repeat !important;background-size: cover !important;}”][vc_row_inner css=”.vc_custom_1503083010066{background-color: #deb044 !important;}”][vc_column_inner css=”.vc_custom_1501076914982{padding-top: 15px !important;}”][vc_empty_space height=”15px”][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row css=”.vc_custom_1685687738634{padding-top: 25px !important;padding-bottom: 0px !important;background-color: #ffffff !important;}”][vc_column css=”.vc_custom_1503100608484{padding-right: 15px !important;padding-left: 15px !important;}”][vc_custom_heading text=”2023 NBMBAA® Scale Up Pitch Challenge” font_container=”tag:h2|font_size:35px|text_align:left|color:%230c0c0c” use_theme_fonts=”yes”][vc_empty_space height=”10px”][vc_custom_heading text=”FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS” font_container=”tag:h3|font_size:24|text_align:left|color:%230c0c0c” use_theme_fonts=”yes”][vc_empty_space height=”10px”][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner el_class=”scale_faq”][vc_toggle title=”When is the deadline to apply?”]August 4, 2023. There will be no applications accepted after 11:59pm on this date.[/vc_toggle][vc_toggle title=”Who can apply?”]Entrepreneurs with ideas and concepts that is in the initial or early stages of development, no more than ten years. Have a founder who is Black (of African descent), who maintains an ‘at least equal stake’ in the startup.[/vc_toggle][vc_toggle title=”Is there an age requirement?”]Be a U.S. citizen and 18 years or older.[/vc_toggle][vc_toggle title=”Can I have received previous funding for my business?”]Founders must disclose any funding already received at the time of registration. There is an allowance for an idea or concept to be already funded before this Challenge by personal or family funds, small amounts of seed capital from outside investors, or modest amounts of funding stemming from institutional or research grants.[/vc_toggle][vc_toggle title=”Do I need to be a member of the National Black MBA Association to apply?”]You do not need to be a current member of the NBMBAA® to apply, however if you are chosen to advance to the semi-finals, you must become a member.[/vc_toggle][vc_toggle title=”Will I be giving up any portion of my business if I am awarded a prize?”]The winnings from the pitch challenge is non-dilutive and you will not have any financial obligation to the NBMBAA®.[/vc_toggle][vc_toggle title=”If I have applied to Scale Up in the past, am I eligible to apply again?”]Yes, you can apply as long as you have not won first place in a previous NBMBAA® Scale Up Pitch Challenge.[/vc_toggle][vc_toggle title=”Will I be notified if I advance to the semi-finals?”]All applicants will be notified if they did or did not advance to the semi-finals by August 20th.[/vc_toggle][vc_toggle title=”Can more than one person from the company pitch?”]Only one person is allow to present and pitch at the competition.[/vc_toggle][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][/vc_column][/vc_row]

Annual membership contract, paid in monthly installments with automatic renewal Service begins as soon as your initial payment is processed. You will be charged 1/12 of the annual membership fee at the time of purchase, every month for the duration of your annual contract. Your membership contract will renew automatically, on your annual renewal date, until you cancel your membership in writing no later than 30 days prior to your annual renewal by contacting membership support. Renewal rates are subject to change, but you will be notified at least 30 days prior to your annual renewal date if your renewal rate will change. Should you cancel before your one-year term has expired, you will be charged 100% of your remaining contract obligation and your service will continue until the end of until the end of your contracted term. Cancellations can be made any time by contacting membership support in writing. Annual prepaid membership contract, with automatic renewal Service begins as soon as your payment is processed. You will be charged, immediately in full, the annual membership fee at the time of purchase. Your contract will renew automatically, on your annual renewal date, unless you cancel your membership in writing by no later than 30 days prior to your annual renewal date by contacting membership support. Renewal rates are subject to change, but you will be notified at least 30 days prior to your annual renewal date if your renewal rate will change. Should you cancel before your one-year term has expired, your payment is non-refundable, and your service will continue until the end of your contracted term. Cancellations can be made any time by contacting membership support in writing. Activation of Membership Memberships will become active upon processing of all materials at National Black MBA Association (NBMBAA) headquarters. Existing Lifetime and Associate Lifetime Members The Lifetime or Associate Lifetime membership is no longer offered. Existing Lifetime or Associate Lifetime members who have paid in full are active for the duration of his or her lifetime, from their membership activation (see activation of membership). Lifetime or Associate Lifetime members are no longer eligible for any other membership type. Student Members Student memberships are active for 12 consecutive months, beginning at activation (see activation of membership). You will be considered a student member as long as you are actively enrolled in a recognized undergraduate or graduate degree program. Your membership should be upgraded to a Professional or Associate membership upon the expiration of your current membership, subsequent to graduation. You are required to submit proof of your current enrollment. The following items will be accepted as proof of current enrollment: • Letter from the registrar acknowledging your current enrollment status • Copy of your tuition bill • Class schedule reflecting your current enrollment. Should you fail to submit proof of current enrollment within 60 days, your membership may be terminated, and your payment will not be refunded. You will then need to reapply for membership. Refund Policy The NBMBAA will only provide refunds for the following reasons: • Verified duplication of billing • Verified overcharges • Submission of incorrect member type resulting in one of the above Refunds will be provided as follows: • Credit card payments will be credited to that same credit card. • Cash and check payments will be credited by NBMBAA check after 30 days, and only after initial payment has cleared our financial institution. * Refunds will be issued only upon request of the individual. The NBMBAA will vigorously defend itself against credit card charge backs. In the event that your credit card company requests a credit for charges, we will comply only to the extent that the request meets the requirements of the refund policy. (See above). Recurring Payments If you choose a recurring payments option to automatically renew your membership, you are responsible for canceling it prior to annual recurrence to avoid charges. Once charged, your membership will not be refunded. Notice of Photography and/or Videography As a condition of membership, individuals grant the National Black MBA Association an irrevocable nonexclusive license to use their name, image, voice and likeness for the purpose of advertising and promoting NBMBAA events, activities and products without any further approval from you or payment to you. It is the NBMBAA’s right to make visual and audio recordings, and still images of its members (collectively “Photography”) and to use the Photography and member’s name. However, none of the above shall be deemed as an endorsement for any NBMBAA product or service. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, members agree that the rights granted hereunder shall include the perpetual, worldwide right of NBMBAA to edit, telecast, rerun, record, publish, reproduce, use, license, print, distribute or otherwise exploit, in any manner and in any medium or forum, whether now known or hereafter devised. Terms and Conditions are subject to change without prior notification. Revised: April 5, 2017. NBMBAA®

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