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The Rejection Challenge

Hosted byKathy Wang

Friday Nov 14

1:00 PM – 6:00 PM PST

Project Gallery

Join virtually: https://meet.google.com/med-yxyr-ooy. We will begin live-streaming at 1:30 pm PT.

The Rejection Challenge is a mini-hackathon for founders who want to build the muscle of bold action. The theme is “Failing is Passing.” You’ll go head to head with other founders in a live cold-email competition, reaching out to people you once assumed were out of reach. The goal is not to be perfect. The goal is to take high-leverage shots, learn fast, and prove to yourself that access is a skill you can train.

You will leave with:
• A repeatable cold outreach playbook
• A stronger narrative and pitch instinct
• Proof that you can get into rooms you didn’t think you could

This is for founders, operators, and builders who value initiative, creativity, and momentum.

Come ready to try things that might not work. That’s the point.

[schedule]

  • 1:00 Doors open

  • 1:30 Kickoff + group photo

  • 2:00 The Rejection Challenge begins

  • 4:30 Submit projects for first-round judging

  • 5:00 Top 6 present (2-minute pitches)

  • 5:30 Second-round judging

  • 6:00 Doors close

[judging criteria]

  • Guts (25%): How big are the emotional or economic stakes?

  • Reps (25%): How much cold outreach did you send out?

  • Wins (25%): How many people said yes?

  • Creativity (25%): How bold or original or fun were you with your approach?

[rules]

  • No spamming. Automation is banned. No tools that send messages for you. You have to hit “send” yourself each time.

  • Using AI to draft your messages is allowed.

  • No teams allowed.

  • You do not have to use email. You can use LinkedIn, iMessage, Instagram, WhatsApp, X, whatever your heart desires. Heck, you can even FaceTime someone or show up at their doorstep. Whatever you need to get the job done.

  • You must be in person or on Zoom throughout the entire event to win.

  • We require proof of all cold outreach.

  • Outreach must be cold. You must not have known them prior to this event.

[prizes]

  • 1st place: AirPods Pro 3 + interview with Antler + Rejection Proof by Jia Jiang

  • 2nd place: $100 cash + Rejection Proof by Jia Jiang

  • 3rd place: Rejection Proof by Jia Jiang

[project submission]

Submit here: https://cerebralvalley.ai/e/the-rejection-challenge/hackathon.

[resources]

[socials]

Post about this event on LinkedIn! Tag Press Club and use #therejectionchallenge.

[feedback]

Give us feedback: https://tally.so/r/2EEX9L.

[our next event]

The Growth Hackathon