IT’S TIME TO
DISCOVER
WHAT’S NEXT
The 2024 Next Challenge will award $150,000 in grants to groundbreaking startups reinventing media & journalism.
Latest News >> Division Finalists announced April 11th
The Next Challenge for Media & Journalism is the largest startup competition open to nonprofit and for-profit media companies in the United States. The 12-week challenge promotes groundbreaking ideas and trailblazing startups that will reinvent journalism and media over the coming decade.
Seven prizes totaling $150,000 will be awarded to early-stage media startups. The Next Challenge Grand Prize winner will receive a grant of up to $60,000.
Up to $30,000 awarded to a local or regional news startup that excels at meeting the information needs of the community it serves or is pioneering a sustainable new business model for local journalism.
Up to $30,000 awarded to a startup supporting the productivity and sustainability of newsrooms by providing an essential service using artificial intelligence (AI) and/or other technology.
Up to $30,000 awarded to a technology startup developing powerful ways to share media content across the country and around the globe.
Up to $10,000 awarded to the most compelling finalist as voted on by the public.
Up to $10,000 awarded to an innovative finalist with a bold vision to reinvent media and journalism.
Up to $10,000 awarded to a finalist building trust in the media by exposing disinformation and deep fakes.
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is creating new opportunities for media and journalism, promising to revolutionize how content is gathered, produced, and disseminated. AI also threatens the media business model and erodes trust by making it difficult for audiences to know what is real and what is not.
Now is a time to invest in innovation, identify new revenue sources, and recognize companies that are succeeding amid change. The 2024 Next Challenge aims to elevate the work of hundreds of media startups across the United States and grant $150,000 to new companies and organizations representing a thriving future for media and journalism in the U.S.
Together, we can discover what’s next.
“Not only did the recognition we received as finalists lay the groundwork for many connections and partnerships with journalism organizations, but the experience also served as a catalyst for further innovation between Rolli and another finalist. This collaboration has been pivotal in shaping our path, and today we can trace some of our proudest achievements back to the Next Challenge for Media & Journalism.”
Nick Toso
Next Challenge Finalist
Founder & CEO at Rolli
2024 Next Challenge Partners
Promotional Partners
2022 & 2023
Next Challenge Competitions
2024 Competition Schedule
March 1 - March 25
Applications Accepted
March 26 - April 9
Round One Application Judging
April 11
Division Finalists Announced
April 11 - May 1
Mentorship & Training for Finalists
May 2 - May 17
Round Two Judging
May 2 - May 19
Public Voting Window
May 22
National Awards Celebration
The 2024 Next Challenge National Awards Celebration
will be held at the Stanley H. Kaplan Penthouse at New York’s Lincoln Center.
The ceremony will be part of the Media Impact Forum, a national gathering of funders with a shared vision of a world in which compelling media serves the public interest.
The Next Challenge is a program of Glen Nelson Center at American Public Media Group, which identifies, elevates and invests in emerging media & journalism ventures led by diverse and visionary founders.
To date, Glen Nelson Center has supported the work of 600+ startups and hundreds of entrepreneurs through investments, competitions, and incubator/accelerator programs.
