1776 is a platform to reinvent the world by connecting the hottest startups with the resources they need to excel. From our Campus a few blocks from the White House, 1776 serves as a global hub for startups tackling major challenges in education, energy, health care, government, and other critical industries. 1776 startups receive mentorship, corporate connections, access to capital, media attention, and a pipeline of top talent—the raw materials critical for innovators to succeed.
The Challenge Festival is the culminating week of 1776′s Challenge Cup- a startup competition that took place in 16 cities across the world in the categories of education, energy, health, and smart cities. 1776 reviewed thousands of applications, saw hundreds of pitches, and chose the best 64 to come to DC to compete NCAA-tournament style. The week culminates in the Challenge Cup Global Finals where the best 64 startups from all over the world will compete for $650,000 in prizes.
Get your tickets for Policy Day on May 16th here.
So in true DC fashion, to kick all this off, they had a awesome party featuring two bands, two floors, a ton of people, start-ups, and politicos, and some kick-ass food prepared by various vendors housed in the food start up incubator, Union Kitchen.
Here’s what we loved (hint: ALL OF IT):
The bands were awesome and their main floor is really cool with a great stage.
Expanding, as good companies do, to their 8th floor, which is meant to feel like a open market square.
With cool sitting areas.
And we liked this table.
Microsoft Innovation Lounge was pretty cool.
We LOVED the tuna tartare cups from Quickstep Catering (Ahi sashimi, avocado mousse, ancho, lime, seasame). Also, this picture was taken on an iPhone, with no filters added. Yeah….we know.
The slow smoked Austin BBQ Sliders with Texas style beef brisket from B.Lin Catering from Union Kitchen Caters, featuring Chef Ben Lin, were so juicy and smokey!
The starts up weren’t the only battles happening. The NY thin crust pizza vs. Chicago deep dish pizza bites from Nutrition Synergies featuring Chef Nadine Joyner from Union Kitchen Caters had us so torn we just ate both.
The most creative thing we had was the DC half smoke from Milk Cult which was potato bread topped with a sliced half smoke, DC smoked chili, and drizzled with house made phosphorous cheese sauce. Holy delicious Batman!
But in all seriousness, this was a great event and Challenge Festival is something that everyone should experience. AND YOU CAN! Get your tickets for Policy Day on May 16th here.