Join the Chicago Startups March Madness Challenge — 2019
Thank you to everyone who entered this bracket challenge. In just over 2 days we raised $120 worth of entries which are being sent to DEI Professional Meetup: a collaborative for those leading DEI or are interested in kicking off DEI initiatives at their respective company or organization. Michelle Bess and Cassandra Black are doing amazing things for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in the Chicago market and you need to check them out!
DEI Professional Meetup’s next event is THIS THURSDAY! (Free tickets)
Update 4/9: Congratulations to Nick Selman (1st — Virginia), Dan Willoughby (2nd — Duke), and Colin Keeley (3rd — Duke) for winning our 3 excellent Chicago startups Prize Packs!
Update 3/20: Brackets are closed! Good luck everyone!
Compete for bragging rights among members of Chicago‘s startup scene. Support DEI in Chicago startups while doing it.
or join the bracket directly: GROUP LINK
If you’re like me, you have dozens of March Madness brackets to remind you that your great-aunt’s selection of teams according to an incredibly unscientific algorithm involving jersey primary colors and what mascots would make the best pets would’ve been the winning strategy all along.
This year, let’s do March Madness right. Compete against other members of Chicago’s startup scene in a bracket challenge that creates valuable donations for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) efforts in our beloved industry.
Here’s how it works:
- REQUEST AN INVITE to the tournament page or JOIN GROUP DIRECTLY. We’re sending invites manually right now, so be patient ;)
- Fill out as many brackets as you want. $5 donation per bracket (Venmo directly to organizer)* All donations go to a kickass Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion cause (more info below).
- The top 3 brackets will take home Chicago Startup Prize Packs. The Prize Packs are listed below.
*don’t have Venmo? Email me to arrange your donation
Supporting Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) in Chicago Tech
This year, all donations will support DEI Professional Meetup: a collaborative for those leading DEI or are interested in kicking off DEI initiatives at their respective company or organization.
Thank you to Michelle Y. Bess and Cassandra Blackburn for the opportunity to support their grassroots DEI movement here in Chicago. Want to jump-start DEI initiatives in your business or startup? Attend the next DEI Professional Meetup on April 11, 2019 (free tickets).
Want to amplify Michelle’s and Cassandra’s impact? Consider a matching donation for this March Madness bracket. (Email me for matching opportunities)
Chicago Startup Prize Packs
Thank you to all the startups who pitched in to make this great cause a win for everybody! New prizes are being added to prize packs hourly
Prize Pack — 1st Place Champion
- A custom-designed Draftbit zip-up hoodie (draftbit.com / @draftbit)
- 3 cases of Positive Pretzels to share with your friends, or to bring into the office (positivepretzels.com / IG: @positivepretzels)
- $20 gift card for fresh coffee at Javaya (getjavaya.com / IG: @getjavaya)
- $50 gift card to Dresscode on STEM jewelry (dresscodetech.com / IG: @dresscodetech)
- A Hunt Club hat (huntclub.com / @huntclubco)
- A Percent Pledge soft-style t-shirt (Percent Pledge for employees employers / @percentpledge)
- … new prizes are being added hourly …
Prize Pack — 2nd Place Runner-up
- A premium Draftbit t-shirt
- 1 case of Positive Pretzels — your choice of flavor
- $10 gift card for fresh coffee at Javaya
- $20 gift card to Dresscode
- A Hunt Club hat
- A Percent Pledge soft-style t-shirt
- … new prizes are being added hourly …
Prize Pack — 3rd Place
- A premium Draftbit t-shirt
- Positive Pretzels — 1 bag of each flavor (3 total)
- $10 gift card for fresh coffee at Javaya
- $20 gift card to Dresscode
- A Hunt Club hat
- A Percent Pledge soft-style t-shirt
- … new prizes are being added hourly …
