Applicants must meet the following requirements 

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General Requirements 

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• Be between the ages of 18 and 40 at the time of application.

• Be a Bahamian citizen or legal resident 

• Possess a valid government-issued ID

• Be able to commit to all phases of the competition, including mentorship sessions and final live pitch event.

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Applicant Profile 

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The competition is open to:

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• University students 

• Recent graduates (within the past 5 years)

• Early-stage entrepreneurs and startup founders 

• Small business owners seeking to scale 

• Individuals or teams with a clear and viable business concept 

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Business Stage Requirements for Live Pitch 

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Applicants must fall within one of the following stages once they have completed the incubation period:

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• Concept Stage: a well-developed idea, including clear problem, solution, and market understanding.

• Early Stage Startup: a business that has launched or is in development, with initial traction or proof of concept 

• Growth Stage: an existing business seeking funding to expand, digitize, or enter new markets

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Team Requirements 

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• Applicants may be submitted by individuals or teams of up to four (4) members.

• All team members must meet eligibility requirements.

• Teams must designate one primary applicant as the official point of contact.

• At least one team member must be available to present at the final event. 

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Business Requirements 

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• The business or idea must be original and owned by the applicant(s).

• The business must be legally permissible to operate within The Bahamas.

• Businesses should demonstrate:

  • A clear value proposition ​

  • Potential for scalability and sustainability 

  • Alignment with one of the competition categories

• Existing businesses must:​

  • Be registered or in the process of registration in The Bahamas ​

  • Be in good standing with no ongoing legal disputes that would impact operations

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Industry & Concept Restrictions 

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The following are not eligible:

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• Businesses focused on cryptocurrency trading, brokerage, or exchange services.

• Illegal or non-compliant business activities under Bahamian law.

• Concepts that promote harmful, unethical, or discriminatory practices.

• Passive investment vehicles with no operational business model. 

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Commitment Requirements

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Applicants must be willing to:

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• Participate in mentorship, workshops, and training sessions if selected.

• Refine their business model and pitch based on feedback 

• Attend demo days and preparation sessions ahead of the final event.

• Present live at The Bull Pen Final Pitch Event. 

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Conflict of Interest 

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• Employees, contractors, or immediate family members of OKX Bahamas or competition partners may be restricted from applying.

• Applicants must disclose any potential conflicts of interest at the time of application.

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Disqualification

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Applicants may be disqualified if:

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• False or misleading information is provided.

• Eligibility criteria are not met.

• Required materials are incomplete or not submitted on time. 

• The applicant fails to participate in required stages of the competition.

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