Aspiring innovators and startups gear up for showdown in the 2020 NYU Entrepreneurs Challenge

December 19, 2020

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David Drake, Founder and Chairman of LDJ Capital

LDJ Capital Chairman David Drake joins as a reviewer for this year’s NYU Entrepreneurs Challenge at NYU Stern

Over 750 students and alumni innovators from NYU Stern and other NYU (New York University) global campuses with ideas for startup programs have applied for the 2020-2021 NYU Entrepreneurs Challenge at NYU Stern hosted by the Berkley Center for Entrepreneurship.

David Drake, chairman and founder of LDJ Capital and The Soho Loft Media Group, participated as a reviewer of the entries for this year’s Entrepreneurs Challenge. The results of the review will determine the teams that will go on to the live pitch rounds.

He said, “There is always room for innovation. I believe that with the right mindset and motivation, innovative ideas can help solve problems and make the world better. I am looking forward to seeing and hearing new ideas and how these concepts can create an impact in today’s market and industry.”

The NYU Entrepreneurs Challenge is one of the world’s largest accelerator programs and startup competitions. This year’s NYU Entrepreneurs Challenge consists of two tracks: New Venture Competition (NVC) and Social Venture Competition (SVC). The teams submitted a written concept summary and a short video of their ideas and business models.

The pool prize amounts to $175,000 consisting of the $100,000 Ira Rennert Prize for the NVC winners and $75,000 prize for the SVC winners. Last year, the Entrepreneurs Challenge prize reached $300,000 and the winners include the Verge.Capital and GigFinesse for the NVC; SeaStraws and QuikReversal for the SVC; and Microstructure Imaging, INC (MICSI) and Blue Instrument for the Technology Venture Competition.

The program’s partners include Amazon Web Services, EisnerAmper LLP, Foley & Lardner LLP, Lex Mundi, Janover LLC, and Reitler Kailas & Rosenblatt LLC.


About LDJ Capital

LDJ Capital is a multi-family office that invests and manages investments for partners and clients in the areas of payment processing, hospitality, real estate, tech, telecom, mobile, entertainment, media, and recently digital assets, such as blockchain and cryptocurrencies.

LDJ Cayman Fund is focused on cryptocurrency, mining, and ICO acquisitions. The firm is involved in asset management and market-making of cryptocurrency from, but not limited to, Gibraltar, Liechtenstein, Malta, Hong Kong, Singapore, and Dubai.

LDJ Capital has three subdivisions:

1. LDJ Capital Group: Victoria Partners, LDJ Venture Capital, LDJ Capital Advisory, and LDJ Cayman Fund
2. LDJ Real Estate Groups: Acquisitions, Development, and Hospitality in New York City
3. The Soho Loft Media Group: Times Impact Publications, The Soho Loft Conferences, and Victoria Global Communications. Times Impact Publications include the digital publications: The Soho Loft News and Family Offices Today

For more information, visit: https://ldjcapital.com/