May 22nd, 2019 | 5:30pm - 8:30 P.M.
SPARK Hollywood is an event that promotes innovation and entrepreneurship for local startups, entrepreneurs, small businesses and inventors in Hollywood and South Florida. The event has three main objectives:
(1) provide a competition for selected contestants to pitch their idea or invention to a panel of judges to win prizes.
(2) provide an opportunity for start-ups to showcase their ideas, inventions and products during a “trade show” open to the public.
(3) provide an opportunity for early-stage entrepreneurs to learn about resources available in the City of Hollywood and the rest of the South Florida region while networking with potential investors and experts who may help start their ventures or grow existing endeavors.
There are no “typical applicants” for SPARK Hollywood. Entrepreneurs and ideas come from every walk of life, every industry sector, and every age group. Contestants can be individuals or a team developing an idea. Some entrepreneurs may have a new business which is already marketing and selling while others may only have a business concept and are working to get to market. Ideas and innovative products may be at any stage of development from creation of concept to a finished product or business.
SPARK Hollywood will be held on Thursday, May 22nd, 2019 from 5:30pm to 8:30pm in Downtown Hollywood at Circ Hollywood Hotel. Selected contestants will have the opportunity to give a three-minute presentation of their innovative idea/business to a panel of judges comprised of local community leaders, investors, and professionals. The judges will select the contestants whose ideas will be awarded first, second, and third place prizes based on a variety of criteria.
If you have the next great idea or business, click the Apply link below. Applications must be submitted before
April 4, 2019.
SPARK Hollywood, Fl is launching a three (3) part informative and inspirational series, SPARK Speaker Series. The series aims to inspire growth, promote innovation and ignite entrepreneurship through educational programs. “How To Get Funded” is the first segment in the series - Find out what it takes to get funded with our panel of experts! Learn from a Venture Capitalist and Angel Investor about the key components when it comes to funding a start-up or business. We believe imagination can work.
purchase ticketsKEYNOTE SPEAKERS / JUDGES
CEO | Body Details
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CEO | Body Details
A born entrepreneur, innovative thinker, and growth strategist with broad-based expertise in operations, finance, and business development - Claudio is the CEO of Body Details. Body Details was twice recognized as one of Inc 5000's fastest growing company's in America and was recently named a GrowFL Top 50 company to watch.
Principal | Las Olas Venture Capital
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Principal | Las Olas Venture Capital
Experienced PE and VC professional. Previously an Associate with Thompson Street Capital, focused on tech-enabled services. Co-founded the WashU chapter of the InSITE Fellowship. Graduated with a JD/MBA from WUSTL specializing in Finance & Entrepreneurship.
Director | Broward County Office of Economic & Small Business Development
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Director | Broward County Office of Economic & Small Business Development
Sandy McDonald has worked in Community and Economic Development on both local and federal programs. His expertise includes initiating tax increment financing programs, supportive economic development services to local municipalities, brownfield redevelopment, small business development and disadvantaged business enterprise opportunities. Currently, Mr. McDonald is completing outreach to the 31 cities in Broward as well as the Local Chambers of Commerce and multiple business organizations to ensure that the public is aware of the services offered by the Broward County Office of Economic and Small Business Development.
President & CEO | Feeding South Florida
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President & CEO | Feeding South Florida
Francisco (“Paco”) Vélez, President & CEO of Feeding South Florida (FSF). As President & CEO of Feeding South Florida, Vélez is responsible for the overall administration, management, and leadership of the organization in pursuit of its mission, goals, and objectives. Since his arrival in 2012, Vélez has increased the number of pounds of food distributed across Palm Beach, Broward, Miami-Dade, and Monroe Counties, from 29.6 million pounds in 2012 to 50 million pounds in 2018. He has increased funding and reduced expenses to ensure a healthy financial position for the organization, bringing it from seven figures in the red to seven figures in the black. South Florida Business Journal named Vélez as Ultimate CEO of 2015, as well as a member of the 40 Under 40 Class of 2013 for his accomplishments as CEO of Feeding South Florida. Vélez holds a Certification in Non-Profit Management from the University of Texas in San Antonio, Texas, and a Bachelor of Science in Biology from Baylor University in Waco, Texas.
Founder & Principal | ScaleUp Executives South Florida
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Founder & Principal | ScaleUp Executives South Florida
Janet Ahlgren is a Founder and Principal in ScaleUp Executives’ South Florida location and a Healthcare, Government and Media Technology specialist. She has deep expertise in business, compliance, negotiation, training and visual presentation of data. Her affiliative approach and analytical vision help focus an entrepreneurial team’s innovation flame refine their vision, improve product market fit and achieve patent awards.
CIRC Hotel
1780 Polk St,
Hollywood, FL 33020
Applications must be received by April 21st, 2019. Besides some basic biographical information, the submission of a written document describing the idea/business is needed. Check out the Event Guidelines for more info.
Nothing. Nada. Zilch. At SPARK Hollywood, FL, we are all about fostering ideas. In fact, we’d like to pay you! If you are one of the top presenters, you can walk away with some nice cash to help you get your idea to market!
SPARK Hollywood, FL loves a good idea… it doesn’t matter whether you’ve gotten it off the ground last year or not. If you’ve got a good idea, we want to know about it and share it with the world to help you. Get your business details together and apply now.
Nope, in fact SPARK Hollywood, FL is working with the local schools to invite students to participate. We believe great ideas are a product of great minds, regardless of age.
Check out the event guidelines.
Once SPARK Hollywood, FL has all the applications (remember, April 21st is the deadline). The entry judges will then determine the Finalists, who will be invited to present their idea in a three minute “fast pitch” to the SPARK judges at the main event, May 22, 2019 at Hollywood’s ArtsPark at Young Circle venue in downtown Hollywood. The top three finalists will be awarded a cash prize and serious bragging rights!
