usaa pitch competition

Washington D.C. | October 19, 2023

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Making A Difference

Last year, Bunker Labs and USAA teamed up to celebrate USAA’s 100th anniversary and history as a great military founded and led innovative company. This year, USAA and Bunker Labs are teaming up again to continue identifying and supporting the most innovative military connected entrepreneurs and change makers. Bunker Labs and USAA will host one pitch competition to find the nation’s top growth stage companies aligned with USAA’s strategic investment priorities.

Participants will compete for cash prizes, storytelling features, and access to USAA and Bunker Labs network. If eligible, companies could be considered for future investment by USAA.

Prizes

1st Place – $50,000
2nd Place – $25,000
3rd Place – $10,000

Key Dates

Pitch Event in Washington D.C.: October 19, 2023
Participant Announcement: August 10, 2023

APPLICANT ELIGIBILITY

Military Community

Open to active, retired, and separated veterans with a discharge type of “Honorable” from the U.S. military and their eligible family members. Eligible family members include spouses, widows and widowers, as well as children of active, retired and separated veterans.

Ability to travel

You must be available to present in person at the pitch event.

USAA Member

In good standing (if USAA member but membership is not required)

*USAA employees, third party contractors and their families and Bunker Labs NFP employees and their families are not eligible to participate.

Industries

Aligned with one of USAA’s core strategic investment priorities including Security, Data, and AI; Fintech; Insurtech; or Enterprise Infrastructure detailed below.

Security, Data, and AI Systems enabling secure authentication and identity management systems plus fraud prevention, personalization, underwriting, and risk detection and avoidance.
FinTech – Technologies relating to payments, lending, investing, etc. that enable USAA to provide simpler, more effective financial solutions for its members.
InsurTech – Technologies enabling connected cars, homes and wearables that are transforming the future of our insurance products: auto, property, life and health.
Enterprise Infrastructure – Solutions enabling members and employees, including communication technologies, operational capabilities (Cloud, Containerization, DevOps, etc.), and distribution/mobility platforms.

Applications are Closed

Frequently Asked Questions

Have additional questions or need help accessing the application? Contact: haley.chapman@bunkerlabs.org

What happens after I submit my application?

Once your application is submitted, you will receive an automated response to confirm your application was received. Judges will review the application and notify you if you were selected or not within 2-3 weeks of the application close date.

How long will the pitch competition last?

This will be a half day event starting in the morning.

Do you have any resources available to help me prepare?

Yes. Applicants who are selected to participate will be provided the opportunity to meet with a professional speech/presentation coach for up to two hours.

Why do you require the demographic information on the application form?

We are always seeking to learn more about the communities we serve in an effort to continuously improve how we serve them. We want to ensure the demographics we serve are as diverse as the military communities we come from. If you are not comfortable sharing this information, you can simply select “prefer not to answer.”

Do I have to be a USAA member to apply?

No. Participants do not have to be USAA members or have USAA products to apply.

Will selection to participate approve me for USAA loans, insurance or other products?

Being selected to participate does not qualify you for USAA membership, insurance, or other programs.

2022 Pitch Recap

Last year, Bunker Labs and USAA teamed up to celebrate USAA’s 100th anniversary as a great military founded and innovative company. The goal was to celebrate the next generation of entrepreneurs who can carry their founders’ spirit of service-minded innovation forward into the next century.

Ten startups were selected through a rigorous process, including six regional events, to compete for the grand prize in San Antonio, Texas.

Over 500 applications submitted for 6 regional events

USAA’s 100th Anniversary Pitch Competition 2022:

From Service to Startup Winners Results

finals winners from 2022

1st Place

Clark Yuan

Candelytics
(Chicago regional winner)
Active Duty/Reserves, Army

2nd Place

Ray Antonino

Permits.com
(Charlotte Wildcard)
Veteran, Army

3rd Place

Laurel & Michael Chiaramonte

Duality Systems
(DC regional winner)
Active Duty/Reserves, Air Force

Regional events from 2022

1st place winners were invited to pitch at the finals and were awarded $10,000. 2nd place winners were awarded $5,000 and considered for wild card slots at the finals.