Help recognize the next generation of practical founders
Red Ocean judges evaluate real work — customer research, market positioning, traction, and evidence. If you value proof over polish, we would love to have you on the panel.
What judges review
Evidence of real work
Did the founder actually talk to customers, test pricing, and launch an offer? We care about what happened, not what was projected.
Quality of process
How well did the founder follow the Red Ocean framework? Did they document their journey with honesty and rigor?
Market understanding
Does the founder demonstrate a clear understanding of their market, competitors, and target customers?
Differentiation and positioning
Has the founder carved out a distinct position? Is there a clear reason a customer would choose them?
What we value in judges
We are looking for people who understand what it takes to build something real. You do not need to be a venture capitalist — small business owners, marketing professionals, experienced entrepreneurs, and educators all bring valuable perspective.
- Experience in business, entrepreneurship, marketing, or a related field
- Commitment to evaluating student work fairly and constructively
- Appreciation for practical, evidence-based entrepreneurship over polished pitches
- Willingness to provide brief written feedback to help founders grow
- Availability to review submissions within the competition timeline
Interested in judging?
Apply to join the judging panel. We will share more details about the process and timeline.