Now is the time. The Innovate!100 is the place. Guidewire Group, a global market intelligence and advisory firm passionate about technology entrepreneurship, is teaming up with leading partners and sponsors to host a global competition to identify and accelerate the world’s 100 top technology, media and telecommunications startups. Startups, especially early-stage startups, need all of the help they can get. They need to maximize media coverage in order to raise awareness among potential customers, partners, and investors. They need independent validation by unbiased experts who know their market sector. And whether they are first-time entrepreneurs or seasoned startup pros, they need introductions to the right partners and investors who can dramatically accelerate their revenue opportunities, competitive position and market awareness. The Innovate!2010 program is designed to meet those needs – and more – by discovering and promoting the world’s most promising startups! Have you got what it takes to win? Qualifying startups are eligible to compete for nearly $250,000 worth of prizes provided by our world-class partners and sponsors. In addition, finalists will have an opportunity to participate in one of our international Innovate!2010 Pitch Slams where they will deliver rapid-fire pitches in front of a panel of expert judges and an audience of local entrepreneurs, investors, corporate executives and members of the press. Applications to the competition are now being accepted. Startups selected to be part of the Innovate!2010 Pitch Slams will receive: Coverage in some of the world’s most influential business and technology media Incisive feedback from select investors, technology executives and successful entrepreneurs Qualified introductions to world-class partners and investors. One company from each Pitch Slam will also be chosen by the audience to win free participation in the Innovate!2010 Connections Program. The best of the best will then be named to the Innovate!100…oh, and by the way, it’s going to be a ton of fun! Click here to see a map of the scheduled Pitch Slams. Be there when the Innovate!100 finalists give their pitch Register here to attend one of our upcoming Pitch Slams for your chance to meet and mingle with Innovate!100 finalists. We’ll be holding Pitch Slams in 12 cities throughout Europe during the month of March, with another 10 Pitch Slams planned for North America later in the year. Interested in being a Judge at an Innovate!2010 Pitch Slam? Click here for more details. Sponsors and Partners Innovate!2010 is a unique program that enables technology and telecommunications vendors, government agencies, professional services providers and technology scouts to engage thousands of start-up professionals around the world, engage hundreds of highly vetted, fast -growing startups face-to-face, and raise their brand profile in the global start-up community. Click here to learn more about becoming an Innovate!2010 sponsor or partner.