THE COMPETITION
Your company could be the recipient of a grant to help achieve your next step in growth and expansion. The annual RISE Challenge seeks to award a total of $250,000 in funding to winning businesses that meet all qualifications. Individual award amounts are determined by a volunteer panel of judges and may not exceed $100,000 per business and will not be less than $25,000. The 2024 application process starts in September 2023, and the Award Ceremony will be held in March 2024.
DOWNLOAD THE INFORMATION PACKET
Learn the details of the 2024 competition, get the complete schedule, and see the list of FAQs to help you prepare.
SUBMIT YOUR APPLICATION
The initial application is simple and requires legal documentation for your company and a two-minute video to be uploaded to the RISE Submission Portal. Deadline for 2024 is NOON on October 25, 2023.
PREPARE YOUR ONLINE APPLICATION
The 2024 online application is open NOW through October 25, 2023. Please note the start date! Link to portal is available HERE.
QUALIFIED APPLICANT NOTICE
Companies qualifying for the next step of competition will be notified directly by email and are required to attend training sessions at Grayson Small Business Development to prepare for judging.
SIGN UP FOR A ONE-ON-ONE SESSION
Applicants must attend one session on Oct 2, 9, 16, or 23, 2023, with SEDCO to learn more about the qualifications and requirements.
PREPARE FOR THE PITCH TO JUDGES
Competitors selected for Round 2 and beyond proceed on the 2024 competition schedule from business plan preparation to final pitch. RISE Challenge finalists attend a luncheon in March 2024 for the awards reveal!
RISE Challenge
900 N Grand Ave Suite 6G
Sherman TX 75090
Call
T: 903-813-2042
Contact
© 2023 by
SEDCO and Austin College