About
In partnership with Management Leadership for Tomorrow (MLT), PEERLESS elevates exceptional founders from their earliest days through ongoing mentorship, intentional networking, and a $1M investment from AlleyCorp. Our goal is to create a more innovative and equitable venture ecosystem that scales the best ideas from founders of all backgrounds.
Lead Partners
supporters
Investment + Terms
One Founder. $1M.
The winner receives a $1M investment from AlleyCorp via an uncapped SAFE with 20% discount, subject to AlleyCorp's standard side letter provisions that include, but not limited to, investor rights, pro rata rights, information rights, and certain reporting requirements.
Investment + Terms
One Founder. $1M.
The winner receives a $1M investment from AlleyCorp via an uncapped SAFE with 20% discount, subject to AlleyCorp's standard side letter provisions that include, but not limited to, investor rights, pro rata rights, information rights, and certain reporting requirements.
Investment + Terms
One Founder. $1M.
The winner receives a $1M investment from AlleyCorp via an uncapped SAFE with 20% discount, subject to AlleyCorp's standard side letter provisions that include, but not limited to, investor rights, pro rata rights, information rights, and certain reporting requirements.
THE Main Event
April 3, 2025 at Google in NYC
Twenty applicants will be invited to compete in a virtual pitch, with five selected to pitch live on stage in April to an audience of 150 at Google’s headquarters in NYC.
programming
Impactful programming
All applicants will be invited to a series of virtual and intimate networking events to meet and learn from experts across NYC's tech sector.
Capital
$1M to scale your startup and build your team.
Pillsbury Legal Services
Up to $45,000 in no-charge corporate startup legal services tailored to fit the needs of the winner.
Hands-On Mentorship
Guidance from some of New York's highest-performing business builders.
purposeful Networking
Introduction to an ecosystem of successful investors and established founders.
Talent Pipeline
Access to highly qualified candidates for key early stage roles via Factor by Primary Ventures.
Tech:NYC Membership
Exclusive events, panels and perks from the city's leading tech advocacy and networking organization.
AWS Credits
$100k in AWS activate credits
Startups that have not raised more than $2M
U.S. based startups that are technologically innovative
Black, Latine, Native American and Female founders
GTM distribution advantage
Identified large market opportunity
July 18 2024
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Apply Today
July 18 2024
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Apply Today
Virtual Panels
Every Friday starting November 15th 2024, all applicants are encouraged to attend a virtual mastermind session which will feature industry leaders who will share their experiences building startups. You will also have the opportunity to ask questions about the application process.
Virtual Panels
Every Friday starting November 15th 2024, all applicants are encouraged to attend a virtual mastermind session which will feature industry leaders who will share their experiences building startups. You will also have the opportunity to ask questions about the application process.
10
.
15
Open
Application Live
12
.
06
Open
Applications Close
02
.
10
Open
Announce 20 Finalists
02
.
18
Open
Virtual Pitch Competition
03
.
03
Open
Announce Final Five
04
.
03
Open
Main Event
After completing the online application, hundreds of applicants are narrowed down by our judges through two highly competitive selection rounds. The first round is virtual. The second round is an in-person pitch in NYC. We are evaluating the founding team, business model, traction, market opportunity and uniqueness of idea.
U.S. based companies that are technologically innovative that have not raised more than $2M.
You will be required to complete a questionnaire, submit your pitch deck, and upload a three minute video describing yourself and the impact you hope to make. We estimate that the entire application will take 30 minutes to complete.
Once you click the Apply button on this website, you will be linked to the application portal where you can create an account and apply.
No. We are accepting applications from across the U.S., but the main event will take place in NYC.
Yes, the $1M investment is guaranteed to go to a single winner.
Kevin Ryan
Founder, Alleycorp
Desiree Almodovar
Director, Alleycorp
Brenton Fargnoli
General Partner, AlleyCorp
Tanya Beja
General Partner, Alleycorp
Marshall Porter
General Partner, Alleycorp
Abe Murray
General Partner, AlleyCorp
Brannon Jones
Investor, AlleyCorp
Lisa Lewen
Partner, Primary Venture Partners
Ben Sun
Co-Founder, Primary Venture Partners
Youssef
Investor, AlleyCorp
Omar Njie
Principal, Alleycorp
Tom Ogletree
Director, Factor Fellowship
John Rice
Founder, MLT
Bunny Ellerin
CEO, Digital Health New York
Kevin Ryan
Kevin Ryan
Desiree Almodovar
Desiree Almodovar
Brenton Fargnoli
Brenton Fargnoli
Tanya Beja
Tanya Beja
Marshall Porter
Marshall Porter
Abe Murray
Abe Murray
Brannon Jones
Brannon Jones
Lisa Lewen
Lisa Lewen
Ben Sun
Ben Sun
Youssef
Youssef
Omar Njie
Omar Njie
Tom Ogletree
Tom Ogletree
John Rice
John Rice
Bunny Ellerin
Bunny Ellerin
June 20, 2024
NYC
Peerless is a $1M pitch competition for visionary early-stage founders focused on scaling Latine, Black and female-led startups. Applications will open on March 18th. Please register your interest below.
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