NYC 03/29

Mom & Pop Shop Challenge

Compete in the ultimate adventure race to support New York’s small businesses with a chance to win $25,000!

Registration is closed!

On March 29, 500 lucky contestants will race through Soho and Lower Manhattan, answer multiple choice questions based on online search volume popularity, and then cross the finish line as fast as possible for a chance to win cash prizes!

Now more than ever it’s vital for businesses to grow their online and offline presence. According to the US Chamber of Commerce, small businesses account for almost half of the United States’ GDP, and almost two-thirds of new jobs created. So come and be a champion alongside Semrush to elevate our small businesses in New York!

How it works?

Step 1: Enter

Sign up before March 25 @ 11:59am EDT for a chance to be one of the lucky 500 contestants. You’ll get an email on March 26 if you’re selected to participate.

Step 2: Time to Race

Contestants will start the race on March 29 at 10:00 AM EDT from Semrush HQ at the corner of Bleecker St and LaGuardia Place. Race through the streets to visit a list of participating mom and pop shops, answer trivia questions related to the online search volume of product(s) and/or service(s) sold in each business, and sprint back to the finish line. The path you take is up to you!

Step 3: The Finish Line

Three lucky contestants who return to Semrush HQ at the corner of Bleecker St and LaGuardia Place with the fastest times as well as all trivia questions answered correctly out of the 500 contestants will win big! The first place prize is $25,000, $10,000 for second place, and $5,000 for third place!

Why participate?

Community Impact

Small businesses account for almost half of the United States’ GDP, and almost two-thirds of new jobs. But most small businesses struggle to be seen online or in-person, especially in a crowded and competitive city like New York. Come and play your part by elevating mom and pop shops and shine a spotlight on those small businesses that positively impact their communities.

Adventure & Rewards Await

Experience New York City like never before. Race through the vibrant streets of Soho and Lower Manhattan, select the right answers to questions posed in store, and get to the finish line as fast as possible. Each answer, each shop, and each choice, brings you closer to cash prizes!

Space is limited, so enter now to win a spot in the challenge. On top of the chance to become one of the 500 contestants, one person will be randomly selected to win a $100 gift card!

We will confirm your spot in the challenge by March 22, 2024. If you don’t receive confirmation, we will keep you in mind for future events.

Registration is closed.

Stick with us for what’s next!

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Semrush Mom & Pop Shop Challenge?

The challenge is designed to elevate mom and pop shops in New York and highlight the need for businesses to increase their visibility online, and offline. Semrush is inviting contestants to race through the city to visit local small businesses, guess the correct answer to multiple choice questions at each store, and then finish the race as fast as possible. The three people with the fastest times and all correct answers who return to Semrush HQ at the corner of Bleecker St and LaGuardia Place will win cash prizes.

How can I participate?

Participants can sign up in the above form on this website. From the pool of entrants, 500 individuals will be randomly selected to participate in the event.

What are the selection criteria for participants?

Anyone who is a US resident 18 or older can register to compete in the event. Once the entrance window closes on March 25 @ noon EDT, 500 people will be randomly selected to become the event’s contestants.

What will participants do in the challenge?

Participants will navigate through New York City, visiting 8 designated mom-and-pop shops. At each location, they will be presented with a question related to popular search trends. Participants will then need to select a sticker that corresponds to their answer for the multiple choice question, and place it on their provided map.

What is the date and time of the event?

The challenge takes place on Friday, March 29 at 10:00 AM EDT, which is National Mom and Pop Business Owners Day.

Is there a participation fee?

No, there is no fee to participate in the Challenge. As long as you a) register your interest, b) meet the criteria for participation and c) are notified via email by March 26 indicating you are selected to participate, you can join the challenge.

What is the prize for winning the challenge?

Contestants that complete the challenge in the fastest three times, with all eight correct stickers on their maps, will be declared winners and receive: $25,000 for first place, $10,000 for second place, and $5,000 for third place.

What are the questions in each store?

Contestants will visit each mom-and-pop shop and answer a trivia question based on popular search trends according to Semrush Traffic Analytics data. Based on the contestant’s answer, a sticker will be provided and will be placed on the contestant’s map.

Can teams participate, or is this an individual challenge?

The Challenge is designed for individual participants, and cash prizes are limited to one per Contestant.

How can I prepare for the challenge?

Follow Semrush FB, X or LinkedIn for updates and tips leading up to the event, familiarize yourself with the city layout, and research the eight participating mom-and-pop shops.

Will transportation be provided?

No, Contestants are responsible for any transportation to, from, and during the challenge.

How will the winner be verified?

Contestants must return to Semrush HQ at the corner of Bleecker St and LaGuardia Place with their maps complete with corresponding stickers from each mom and pop shop to be considered for a cash prize.

In the event of a tie (ie. two individuals get the same time and same amount of stickers correct), how will you determine the winner of a first, second, and third place prize?

In the event of a tie, a New York trivia question related to search volume will be asked to determine the winner. If both Contestants answer correctly, a new question will be posed until one answers incorrectly.

Where can I find the Terms and Conditions for the Semrush Mom & Pop Shop Challenge?

Please see our full Official Rules here.

Who can I contact for more information?

For additional questions or information, please contact the Semrush Mom & Pop Shop Challenge team at pr@semrush.com.

Official Rules Contestant Registration

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