The Launch Place, an established entrepreneurial development organization headquartered in Danville, Virginia, and First Flight Venture Center, the largest technology incubator in the Research Triangle, North Carolina, have come together once again to host a contest, called The Big Launch Challenge, with two awards totaling up to $20,000 for first place and up to $10,000 for second.

This year’s challenge will feature a total of two elimination rounds with the final pitch event to be held on May 19, 2015, starting at 1 p.m., at the Institute for Advanced Learning and Research in Danville, Virginia. Applications can be submitted by March 31st at https://thebiglaunchchallenge.startuplocal.biz/.

2nd Annual IdeaFest

Friday, February 27th, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. (floating)

The 2nd Annual IdeaFest will feature a free entrepreneurship skill-building workshop, a business pitch competition with $10,000 in prize money, and a networking reception. The main event is the fast-paced business pitch competition, in which 20 entrepreneurs will present a startup idea to a panel of judges and live audience.