Startup Innovation Archives

The Story Exchange is now accepting applications for spots on our 2025 Brilliant Business Ideas list! (Credit: Katrin Bolovtsova, Pexels) (Editor’s Note: The application window is now closed. We expect to announce our 2025 list in May.) What the world needs now is … your new business. At The Story Exchange, we are putting together our annual Brilliant Business Ideas list, which spotlights women entrepreneurs who are just starting out – but who have an idea that’s poised to become the next big thing. Is that you? Before April 1, we want to hear from the women business owners who have recently launched up-and-comer companies that will solve problems and drive conversations. We want to hear from everybody, but we are especially interested in new businesses that are social-impact driven, that speak to the concerns of the moment we now find ourselves in – startups that care about the environment, or women’s health, for example. And, we are very eager to hear from all founders – including those who are people of color, and/or members of the LGBTQ community. Final picks for our 2025 Brilliant Business Ideas list will be recognized this spring on our site, shared with our media partners, and potentially featured in video profiles. Here is last year’s list of enterprising visionaries. Intrigued so far? Check out our full list of guidelines: You must nominate yourself. You must complete the entire form in order to be considered. Your company must have been in operation for, at most, 2 years. You must be fully formed and launched before applying. Yours may be a for-profit business, nonprofit or social enterprise. You cannot be a franchisee, independent distributor or sales representative. You may reside anywhere in the world. If you have male co-owners, you must be the primary leader of the company. Note: If you’ve filled out the latter sections of our form within the past 6 months, either as part of the 1,000+ Stories campaign or for our Gift Guide, you don’t need to fill it out again — just make sure to answer the new questions in the top sections of the application, and point us to your prior answers for the rest. If it’s been longer than 6 months, please complete the entire questionnaire again so we have up-to-date information. After you finish your application, be sure to tell your friends, family, colleagues and networks about this opportunity! Encourage others to apply by sharing this page via email, Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn. Any questions? Please email info@thestoryexchange.org.

Startup Innovation

Deadline Extended! Enter Our Brilliant Business Idea Competition

Is Your Startup Cool?

The Story Exchange

Startup Innovation

Women Entrepreneurs: Did You Just Launch an Amazing Company?

Deadline Extended! Enter Our Brilliant Business Idea Competition

Is Your Startup Cool?

The Story Exchange

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