updated April 22, 2019
At Trend Micro we’ve spent the past three decades successfully solving problems for our customers. It’s helped us to become a leading provider of services to secure the connected world. But we’re not done there. We also want to find and learn from the technology innovators and problem-solvers of tomorrow.
That’s why our venture arm, Trend Forward Capital, is inviting ambitious start-ups to send in their submissions for the first pitch-off contest to be held at our North American HQ in Dallas. We are proudly co-hosting this event with Veem, a leading global payments platform and early investment partner of Trend Forward Capital. Submissions for the Forward Thinker Award have been extended to May 1st, and with only five lucky applicants selected to attend the event on May 20, the standard will need to be high.
Finding talent, closing skills gaps
Trend Micro’s mission is Securing Our Connected World. But we also recognize that, as important as it is, there’s a wealth of innovation happening outside the security sphere. Smart and connected technologies offer an unparalleled opportunity to make us all safer, healthier, more social and productive.
We’re in it for the long haul: teaming up to offer as much support as they need – from go-to-market expertise, to cybersecurity solutions and global resources. In this respect, you can view the pitch-off and the wider Trend Forward Capital mission as part of our global commitment to close skills gaps. Start-ups might have the ideas and the drive, but often need fine-tuning and support to help nurture their skills and expand their in-house know-how.
In return, we get to plug-in and learn from some of the most exciting companies around, who are pushing the boundaries of what’s possible across the globe.
Focus on Dallas
Trend Forward Capital has run successful pitch-off competitions at the past two CES conferences. But this is the first time we’ve taken the idea to the Dallas Fort Worth region. Why now? Because the area has become a thriving hotbed of entrepreneurial ideas and business growth. And as it plays host to our own North American headquarters, we wanted to cement our commitment to local start-up talent.
As mentioned, just five finalists will be chosen to pitch on May 20. They’ll have to impress an all-star line-up of judges including Trend Micro co-founder and CEO, Eva Chen; Veem CEO, Marwan Forzley; co-founder of the Dallas Entrepreneur Center, Jennifer Conley; Founder and President of Turbonomic, Shmuel Kliger and Manager of WeWork Labs Dallas, Will Akins.
There’ll be a $10,000 reward for the winner of the Forward Thinker Award, who will also be considered for pre-selection for the 2020 CES contest, including two passes to the show. All five finalists receive a year’s free cybersecurity protection with Trend Micro.
Trend Forward Capital has spent the past two years helping some of the most innovative companies around to reach the next stage of growth. If you’re a Dallas-based start-up, apply to the Forward Thinker Award today and you could be the next.
