Calling All Entrepreneurs: Bring Your Big Idea to MasterCard’s Priceless Elevator Pitch

If you’re an entrepreneur convinced that you have an idea for the next big thing, MasterCard and Mashable are giving you a chance to win $15,000 by making a pitch in 60 seconds or less about your concept—in an elevator—during an interactive conference in Austin, TX, March 13-15.

The Priceless Elevator Pitch will take place from 12pm to 5pm on March 13-14, and 12pm to 2pm on March 15 at the Mashable House (305 E. 5th Street, Austin TX). Unsure what to prepare? Don’t worry. Coaches will be on-site to provide pointers on putting together a top-notch presentation, but once the bell hop closes the elevator door, you’ll be on your own and the clock will be ticking. Cameras will capture each pitch and broadcast it on plasma screens throughout the Mashable House.

Representatives from some of the top venture capital firms in the country will serve as judges for the competition. At the end of each day, they’ll award three finalists with a $250 MasterCard prepaid card. On the final day, Jay Singer, senior vice president, North America commercial products at MasterCard, will join the judging panel and one of the nine finalists will be named the winner of the $15,000 grand prize.

“You never know where the next big idea might come from—sometimes it just takes a little encouragement and the right opportunity,” said Singer. “That’s why we’re bringing the Priceless Elevator Pitch to Mashable House. We want to support the entrepreneurial spirit in our cardholders.”

To take part, you must be a MasterCard cardholder—debit, credit, business, prepaid—it doesn’t matter what MasterCard card you bring with you, just that you bring it. Full contest rules can be found here.

About MasterCard

MasterCard, www.mastercard.com, is a technology company in the global payments industry. We operate the world’s fastest payments processing network, connecting consumers, financial institutions, merchants, governments and businesses in more than 210 countries and territories. MasterCard’s products and solutions make everyday commerce activities – such as shopping, traveling, running a business and managing finances – easier, more secure and more efficient for everyone. Follow us on Twitter @MasterCardNews, join the discussion on the Beyond the Transaction Blog and subscribe for the latest news on the Engagement Bureau.

Photos/Multimedia Gallery Available: http://www.businesswire.com/multimedia/home/20150312005112/en/