Thrust Hostels is poised to be a modern, chic, eco-conscious and LGBTQ-focused hostel chain. However, in order to make the vision a reality, we need your help. That’s why we’ve created the Thrust Viral Video Contest, to give millenials like you a chance to wow our investors with a video that tells them why this venture needs to go from concept to reality. We intend to re-define the hostel experience, and with your help, we can!

Your Mission

We’ve spent years coming up with the concept for Thrust…envisioning modern, secure facilities with interactive touch-screen displays and LEED certified buildings that exist in harmony with their surroundings. We want LGBTQ students, travelers and allies to feel free to be themselves whenever and wherever they choose to vacation with us. We intend to launch our first and flagship location in phenomenal Fort Lauderdale, Florida, otherwise known as the Venice of America.

Armed with this information, we want you to use your smartphone, or whatever recording device you choose to use to implore prospective investors to fund our venture. In your video you can say how having a facility such as Thrust could have changed the outcome of past vacations or discuss what this could mean for your future vacation plans. Be creative! We’ll be showcasing the 10 best videos to prospective investors at the Collision Startup Conference in April 2016. Need more info on our venture? No problem. Just email the founder, Oneil Williams, at oneil@thrusthostels.com.

Prizes

The Showcase

The 10 most talented finalists will have their videos screened by prospective investors at the Collision Startup Conference in New Orleans, which runs from April 26-28, 2016. Based on feedback from prospective investors, the judges will deliberate and announce the contest winners on Friday, April 29, 2016.

FAQ

When is the deadline?

Submissions are due on Friday, April 15, 2016, by 11:59 p.m. (EST)

The winners will be announced on Friday, April 29, 2016, the day after the Collision conference concludes.

Who can enter?

• The contest is open to all college and university students both within and without the United States.
• You may enter the contest as a team or individual.
• Contestants must be currently enrolled in an accredited college/university program and be able to provide proof of student status.

How do I enter?

1. Individual Contestants: Complete a Submission Agreement Form and submit your video on the Contest Entry page.
2. Group Contestants: Select a team captain to complete the Submission Agreement Form and upload your group video to the Contest Entry page. Please note, if your group places 1st, 2nd or 3rd, your group captain will receive the visa gift card and plaque inscribed with the group name. All group members receive the remaining prizes.

What are the video requirements?

1. Videos must be 1 minute or less; submissions that exceed 1 minute of playing time will not be considered.
2. Video files must be in one of the following formats: .mp4, .mov, .avi, or .wmv. We will not accept a link to a YouTube video, a hosted site or physical DVDs.
3. Minimum video quality is 480p Standard Quality (640 x 480 dimensions), 720p (1280 x 720 dimensions), or 1080p (1920 x 1080 dimensions).
4. Content must be technically accurate if presenting scientific information.
5. Videos must be recorded and produced in English or include English subtitles.
6. Videos should not contain or encourage dangerous or unsafe activities.
7. Videos must be an original creation; any stock footage or other borrowed material must be used with clear attribution and the expressed permission of the original author/producer.
8. Music used in your video must be an original creation. Copyrighted music can only be used with the artist's written consent.
9. Participants may submit only one video.

What are the judging criteria?

Judging criteria will be based on:

1. Creativity
2. Originality
3. Power of the message

Contest Rules and Regulations

1. The Thrust Viral Video Contest (the "Contest") is sponsored by Thrust Hostels (“Thrust”). Employees of Thrust Hostels and their immediate family members or anyone living with these employees are not eligible to enter the Contest.
2. Video entries must be original, produced by amateurs, not produced for any other purpose, compensation or previously posted on the Internet or used in any other medium.
3. Contest participants grant Thrust a non-exclusive, irrevocable, perpetual, fully paid, royalty-free, sub-licensable, worldwide license to use, publish, duplicate, display, distribute, modify, and edit any video submitted to the Contest without any compensation or liability to the participant.
4. Contest winners must submit timely proof of eligibility to participate prior to the distribution of any prizes. Thrust reserves the right not to select any winners if it determines in its sole discretion that none of the entries are of sufficient quality.
5. Contest participants are solely responsible for any tax liability associated with Contest prizes.
6. Thrust reserves the right to disqualify and/or destroy entries that are determined, in Thrust's sole discretion, to violate the law, violate the rights of third parties, depict violence or otherwise be detrimental to the interests of Thrust or any other party.
7. Thrust has the sole discretion to interpret the Contest rules, make decisions in accordance with the Contest rules, amend the Contest rules and award prizes to participants to ensure the Contest operates in accordance with Thrust's intent and purpose in sponsoring the Contest and to ensure compliance with all federal, state and local laws.

The Thrust GoFundMe Campaign

For students who are unable to participate in the Thrust Viral Video Contest but would still like to support Thrust’s efforts to secure investor funding, we encourage you to participate in our GoFundMe campaign. We welcome even the smallest of contributions as it shows prospective investors that we have followers who are committed to seeing our vision become a reality. To participate in our GoFundMe campaign, simply go to www.GoFundMe.com/Thrust or click on the image to the left. Your contributions will help us to cover the cost of sending our team to New Orleans to pitch to prospective investors.