Venture Challenge - 2025 - MOVE Business Conference

About the Challenge

The MOVE Business Conference Venture Challenge is a premier competition that ignites creativity and entrepreneurship. Participants are invited to develop and present innovative solutions with the potential for significant impact. The competition provides a dynamic platform for entrepreneurs to demonstrate their unique ideas, assessed for originality, feasibility, and their potential to solve pressing challenges. Notably, past participants like PAM successfully secured investors’ funding during this event.

Competition Co-chair

Shahed Amanullah

Co-Founder & CEO at Zabihah

Competition Co-chair

Juan Pablo Segura

VIRGINIA Secretary of Commerce and Trade

Judge

Mujtaba Wani

Principal at GSV Ventures

Judge

Frank V. Taylor

Early Stage VC. Deep Tech Angel Syndicate Lead.

Judge

Zunaira Arshad

Building and Investing. Something New

COMPETITION SPONSOR

Panelists To Be Announced Soon

Competition Format

Application & Initial Screening

We are currently soliciting applications from potential participants. Proposals are carefully reviewed to select the most promising entries.

The deadline for the first-round submission is August 21st, 2025, at 11:59 PM EDT.

Live Final Presentation

Six finalists will present their ideas at the Conference in front of an audience exceeding 1,000 attendees, to a panel of investors and entrepreneurs. Notable features of the panel include:

Renowned Panel
Past panelists have included successful founders like Haroon Mokhtarzada and officials from the Virginia Invesment Partnership Corporation.

Substantial cash prizes of $10K, $5K, and $2.5K, with additional opportunities to secure funding.

Enhances participants’ practical skills, expands their professional networks.

Why Partner with

Strategic Alignment

This partnership aligns with goals of supporting innovation and entrepreneurial education.

Resource Optimization

Utilize the MOVE Conference as a platform to showcase capabilities and individual achievements.

Community & Industry Engagement

Strengthen ties with the business community and enhance the institution’s role in regional economic development.

Sponsorship Benefits

Branding

Extensive opportunities for visibility throughout the event.

Faculty Involvement

A distinguished member from your institution will be invited to join our panel of judges.

Representation

Ensure that 1/3rd of the competition candidates and finalists are selected from your region or institution.

What is the MOVE Business Conference?

The 2025 MOVE Business Conference brings together private and public sector professionals, business owners, and entrepreneurs. This premier event focuses on connecting minority-owned businesses with potential clients and organizations that can drive their growth. This year, we anticipate 1,000 attendees and 30 high-level exhibitors and sponsors.and enhance the institution’s role in regional economic development.

About MOVE

MOVE is a business chamber based in Northern Virginia (NOVA). We connect, inform, promote, and advocate for Muslim businesses by providing access to opportunities and removing structural barriers. We’re guided by core values like inclusion, advocacy, transparency, and networking, and united by a common goal of building a rising tide for the business community