P&G Ventures, the early-stage startup studio within consumer products behemoth Procter & Gamble, is launching its first-ever Virtual Innovation Challenge, a product pitch contest for entrepreneurs, inventors and startups navigating the COVID-19 pandemic.
P&G Ventures is moving the Innovation Challenge online after two successful iterations at CES, the Las Vegas-based consumer technology trade show, as it continues its hunt for next-generation technologies. The challenge is open as of 9 a.m. today. Submissions will be accepted at ventureschallenge.com until Sunday, June 7.
“COVID-19 has changed the way we live and how businesses operate. Innovation stems from being able to adapt quickly to changing circumstances,” said Leigh Radford, vice president and general manager at P&G Ventures. “We’re dedicated to helping entrepreneurs navigate through this pandemic, and it starts by giving them an outlet to continue sharing their innovations. That’s why P&G Ventures is empowering entrepreneurs and startups where they are – at home.”
Three finalists will be selected to pitch online to a panel of judges at 1 p.m. ET on June 24. The broadcast will be open to the public (registration is available here). The winner will be selected by Radford and fellow P&G executive Julie Setser, vice president of R&D at P&G Ventures, and Pete Blackshaw, CEO of Cintrifuse, a syndicate “fund of funds” and startup incubator in Greater Cincinnati.
