The $15K Creative Arts Competition is an annual contest established in 2013 to foster arts-focused startups at the Institute. The $15,000 prize is awarded to help launch the winning enterprise and enable the recipient(s) to join the ranks of MIT’s most successful startup founders.
The Competition offers more than just financial support; all teams are invited to workshops designed to accelerate arts-focused ventures throughout the duration of the year-long competition. Teams receive mentorship from past prize winners, distinguished faculty, and MIT alumni. Mentorship encompasses pitch preparation, business plan coaching, customer development advising, and more.
Participating teams apply in early spring and are expected to develop their business plan over the course of the competition with assistance from mentors, workshops, and staff support. In late April, the finalists are chosen by preliminary judges to present their venture to a live judging panel for a chance to win $15,000.
The $15K Creative Arts Competition is supported by the Council for the Arts at MIT.