Have questions about StartUp Lehigh Valley at Musikfest? Find answers to frequently asked questions about attending, applying, and more.
About Pitching in the Contest
Entrepreneurs and founders of startups over the age of 18 are eligible to participate.
- Applicants must be 18 or older to apply.
- Applicants submitting on behalf of a business entity must have the authority to do so.
- All applications must be the original work of the applicant making the submission.Past winners are not permitted to compete again.
- Past finalists who presented live must demonstrate meaningful progress in their venture to be considered again.
- The review committee reserves the right to determine additional eligibility at its discretion.
- Submissions that are incomplete or fail to meet all stated rules and criteria may be disqualified or penalized at the discretion of the competition organizers.
Full Terms & Conditions will be posted with the application when it opens May 15, 2025.
No, but you must be beyond the idea stage with either active market traction or externally validated evidence of potential (e.g., pilot programs, letters of intent, significant user engagement, prototype, etc.)
Additional requirements:
- Must be founded within the past five years
- The company should offer a unique, innovative solution addressing a clear market need.
- Must operate in a market (or have plans to) with high growth potential and the ability to scale regionally, nationally, or globally.
- Must have a dedicated founding team able to execute on the venture but no more than 20 full time employees.
- The venture and founding team must be based in the U.S., with preference potentially given to those connected to the Lehigh Valley, either currently or in the future.
Prize money must be used for costs associated with advancing your start up business. For example:
- marketing/promotion
- product development
- equipment
- technology
- supplies
- working capital
- patent costs
Full terms & conditions will be posted when the application opens on May 15, 2025.
Finalists will be notified by the first week of July 2025.
Venue Information
Yes! Please join us on August 5, 2025 at the Musikfest Café in South Bethlehem from 6:30–8:00 p.m. as part of the annual Musikfest celebration. The event will also be broadcasted and streamed live on WFMZ Channel 69.
Before the live pitches take center stage, from 5 - 6 p.m., attendees can connect with the entrepreneurs at a "Meet the Pitchers" table display event. This pre-show gathering offers a unique opportunity to engage directly with the individuals behind the innovative ventures, learn more about their products and services, and ask questions in a relaxed and informal setting.
No, this year's event is free and open to the public as part of Musikfest.