The Midwest Digital Marketing Conference (MDMC19) and EC@UMSL are inviting local digital media or marketing startups to apply for the 2019 Midwest Digital Marketing Conference Digital Media Startup Pitch Competition.

Startups can compete against other digital media startups to win more than $3,000 in cash and prizes during MDMC19, the largest digital marketing conference in the Midwest.

To be eligible as a startup competition contestant, you must be able to participate in the entire MDMC19 conference. MDMC19 will take place April 17- 18, 2019 at St. Louis Union Station.

Benefits for All Competing Startups

• A chance to win up to $3,000
• Company profile in MDMC19 Website and Event Program
• Conference table with prime location in Startup Row
• Participate in panel discussion with fellow startup competition contestants during conference breakout session
• Network with the top names is digital media

Startup Competition Award Money Breakdown

• 1st Place: $2,500
• People’s Choice Award: $500

Pivotal Moment for MetKnow

MDMC is an ideal place to get your startup on the map and adds significant value to any company looking for funding, exposure, partners, or market experience. With MDMC’s company affiliations like Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest, GoDaddy, BuzzFeed, Pandora – you’re sure to make some fantastic connections.

Previous MDMC Startup Pitch Competition winners include MetKnow, who ent on to win an Arch Grant in the same year and has been since featured in St. Louis Magazine.

“We were going to different business and startup competitions to find out how our product would be received. It was at the Midwest Digital Marketing Conference that we heard about Arch Grants, and they’re the reason why we’re in St. Louis now,” said Will Edwards, founder of MetKnow, in a conversation with EQ.

Edwards also spoke to Alex Cruz from PenPath after his MDMC Startup Pitch Competition win. The video gives some great tips as to how to get the best out of the conference and also what Edwards did to differentiate his product in the pitch, such as he providing a demo of the MetKnow app on a tablet, so that judges could really engage with the product.

Talking to Cruz, Edwards expanded on what a pivotal moment the win was for his company.

“While we were there we had so many people help us out, so many interested visitors at MDMC from the St. Louis area; who listened to us, who you liked our idea and who gave us their business card. We think MDMC is the best conference we’ve ever been to.”

“St. Louis is incredible. The culture is such a startup community. We moved our company up here, just a few months after attending MDMC because my partner and I were so impressed with it. So, the people are incredible up here. Honestly, MDMC changed the trajectory of our company — completely.”

If you watched the video, you’ll see there’s clear potential for gaining significant momentum and generating an upward trajectory by entering this competition.

So, don’t wait until the last second, submit your application NOW!