Get ready to be inspired!

It's been my privilege to read hundreds of applications for the Next Challenge for Media & Journalism over the past seven days. It was a marathon of mission statements, business models, and technology-driven plans to reach new and more diverse audiences across the United States. I came away from the experience more inspired than ever about the future of media in this country.

In a time when the rise of disinformation, increasing partisanship, and social media-fueled disconnection dominate the headlines, it is refreshing to see entrepreneurs rising to the challenge and launching mission-based media companies that will revolutionize how we inform and connect society in the future.

A few numbers:

482 total participants in the Next Challenge
265 startups kicked off the application process from
37 U.S. states and 2 U.S. territories
84% of all participants identify as BIPOC, LGBTQ+,
and/or female/non-binary

What happens next?
We've completed a preliminary review and sent all eligible applications to 38 judges across the country with deep media industry knowledge and expertise. These judges will submit their ratings and feedback by mid-December, when we will announce finalists in each of the four Next Challenge divisions.

Stayed tuned! We will have a lot more to share about the startups in the competition when we reach the division finalist stage. I can't wait for you to be as inspired as I am.

All the best,

Jeff Freeland Nelson
Executive Director, Glen Nelson Center