StarQuest International, Inc.

What StarQuest International, Inc. does

StarQuest International, Inc. (dba StarQuest Dance Competition) is a privately held U.S. dance competition organizer founded in 1993 by Steve Wappel and headquartered in Fuquay-Varina, North Carolina. The company operates a touring regional competition circuit across more than 65 cities annually (January through June), structured around three skill tiers (Nova, Classic, Select), and culminates each season in four World Finals events held in Galveston TX, Orlando FL, and Hershey PA (two sessions). Its primary customers are verified dance studio owners and directors who register dancers through the gated DanceComp Genie online portal; independent entries are not accepted. Supporting customer segments include dancers of all ages and their families, plus a distributed touring workforce of judges, stage managers, photographers, emcees, and sound/console operators hired on a per-event basis (first-year pay averaging $600-$1,200 per event).

The company's technology stack centers on a multi-platform digital ecosystem comprising the SQ App (iOS/Android) for routine status, photo/video download, digital ticketing, and password-protected livestream; the DanceComp Genie registration platform used by verified studios to manage entries, deposits, fees, and judging critiques; a proprietary livestream system; and an All-Inclusive Media Package delivery system covering every dancer's photos and videos. Digital tickets distributed through the SQ App also function as the venue-entry control mechanism for safety and capacity management.

StarQuest's revenue is generated primarily through per-entry competition fees paid by studios and a mandatory All-Inclusive Media Package charged per dancer (payable only at the dancer's first regional event of the year, making the package effectively recurring across the circuit). Ancillary revenue comes from branded merchandise sold through a third-party-operated e-commerce storefront (shopstarquestdance.shop). The company also distributes over $30,000 annually in senior scholarships to graduating high school seniors pursuing higher education, funded as a community investment rather than a paid service. Distribution is community- and event-driven: growth depends on the reputation of the competition experience, word-of-mouth within the dance studio network, and the SQ App/Facebook/Instagram ecosystem, with no public consumer pricing and no independent (non-studio) registrations accepted.

Name

StarQuest International, Inc.

Legal name

StarQuest International Inc.

Website

https://starquestdance.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1993

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Dance Competition Services

NAICS

Promoters of Performing Arts, Sports, and Similar Events with Facilities (71131), Promoters of Performing Arts, Sports, and Similar Events with Facilities (711310)

SIC

Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900)

akta.pro primary industry

Dance Festivals & Dance Series (MPAGADAJ)

akta.pro secondary industries

Event Operations & Venue Services (Box Office, FOH/BOH, Concessions) (MPAIAFAL), Dance Performances (THAJAFAD)

Keywords

• Dance competition events
• Touring performance circuit
• Event registration platform
• Mobile event applications
• Competition adjudication services

Headquarters

HQ city

Galveston

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices7 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Supply Chain

Revenue model

1. Competition Entry Fees (Regional & Finals): Dance studios pay per-entry fees for each dancer or routine entered in regional and World Finals competitions. Entry fees are non-refundable and calculated on each studio's online registration page. Studios must pay a reservation deposit to secure their spot.
2. All-Inclusive Media Package: Mandatory pre-paid media package covering all photos and videos per dancer, digital program, and event livestream. A low-cost separate fee from entry fees, calculated per studio's registration page. Studios attending multiple regional events pay the package only at the first event.
3. Senior Scholarships Funded by StarQuest: StarQuest distributes over $30,000 in scholarships to graduating high school seniors who participate in StarQuest events and are pursuing higher education. Funded directly by StarQuest as a community investment.
4. Merchandise Sales: StarQuest operates a branded merchandise storefront (shopstarquestdance.shop) selling official apparel and gear. Managed by an independent merchandise vendor.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

StarQuest International operates a touring U.S. dance competition circuit, delivering regional events across 65+ cities annually and culminating in four World Finals events in Galveston, Orlando, and Hershey. The company serves verified dance studios as its direct customers, providing a multi-tier (Nova, Classic, Select) adjudication experience, an all-inclusive media package, digital ticketing, and an SQ mobile application, supported by an online registration platform and proprietary livestream.

Product overview

StarQuest International, Inc. operates a comprehensive dance competition ecosystem centered on its core StarQuest Dance Competition platform. The company delivers regional competitions across 65+ cities annually, culminating in World Finals events. Key supporting products include the SQ App (mobile application for event access, media downloads, and livestreaming), Digital Ticketing System (safety-focused digital entry via app), and an all-inclusive Media Package (photos, videos, and livestream). Additional offerings encompass Senior Scholarships ($30,000+ program), the Artists Unite Collective convention brand, an e-commerce merchandise store, and the Viral Video Contest. The portfolio functions as an integrated event management system combining competitions, digital services, and audience engagement tools.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Artists Unite Collective: A dance convention focusing on artistry, health and wellness, and professional growth for performers.

Products and services

• StarQuest Dance Competition (Regional) A touring dance competition circuit delivering regional events across 65+ U.S. cities annually, with three skill tiers (Nova, Classic, Select), professional adjudication, and standardized competition rules. Direct customers are verified dance studios and schools that register dancers.
• World Finals The flagship championship events featuring qualifying dancers from regional competitions, held across four sessions in Galveston, TX; Orlando, FL; and Hershey, PA (two sessions).
• SQ App Mobile application available on iOS and Android that enables dancers and families to check routine status, download photos and videos, view digital programs, access digital tickets for venue entry, and watch a password-protected live stream of events.
• All-Inclusive Media Package Mandatory per-dancer paid package covering all event photos and videos, a free digital program, and complimentary livestream access; dancers attending multiple regional events pay only at the first event.
• StarQuest Merchandise Store Online storefront selling official StarQuest branded apparel and gear, including the 2026 collection.
• Artists Unite Collective A StarQuest sub-brand dance convention focused on artistry, health and wellness, and professional growth for performers, designed to help dancers achieve personal and professional goals.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over $30,000 in annual scholarships awarded to graduating seniors pursuing higher education

Named customers2 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

18 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Artists Unite CollectivecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerArtists Unite Collective by StarQuest is a reimagined dance convention program featuring a unique focus on artistry, health and wellness, and professional growth. It is a company initiative designed to collaborate with performers to help them achieve future goals personally and professionally. The program has its own website (artistsunitecollective.com) and is marketed alongside StarQuest competitions.
• Acrobatic ArtsminorGTM or Marketing PartnerAcrobatic Arts is listed as a sponsor on the StarQuest Meet The Sponsors page. They appear to support StarQuest events as an award or studio sponsor.
• American Musical and Dramatic Academy (AMDA)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerAMDA is listed as a sponsor and appears in the Award Sponsors section. AMDA College of the Performing Arts provides performing arts education.
• Dance Educators CollectiveminorGTM or Marketing PartnerListed as a sponsor on the StarQuest website. The Dance Educators Collective is a community for dance educators.
• Dance Teacher Summer ExpominorGTM or Marketing PartnerListed as a sponsor. The Dance Teacher Summer Expo is a professional development event for dance educators.
• Dream DuffelminorGTM or Marketing PartnerDream Duffel appears as a sponsor on the StarQuest website. They manufacture dance bags and luggage designed for touring dance companies.
• Weissman DancewearminorGTM or Marketing PartnerListed as a sponsor and appears in the Studio Directors & Teacher Gift Sponsors section. Weissman Dancewear manufactures dance costumes.
• Kendra ScottminorGTM or Marketing PartnerKendra Scott is listed as a sponsor. They offer jewelry and accessories, likely providing gift items or award prizes.
• Bold Dance ProjectminorGTM or Marketing PartnerBold Dance Project appears as a sponsor on the StarQuest website.
• PeridanceminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPeridance (Peridance Capezio Center in NYC) is listed as a sponsor. Peridance is a dance studio and school in New York City.
• Penny PrimaminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPenny Prima is listed as a sponsor on the StarQuest website.
• Moving PropsminorGTM or Marketing PartnerMoving Props appears as a sponsor. They supply stage and dance props for performances.
• Jo-JaxminorGTM or Marketing PartnerJo-Jax is listed as a sponsor on the StarQuest website. Jo-Jax designs and manufactures dance costumes and activewear.
• Tap RootsminorGTM or Marketing PartnerTap Roots appears as a sponsor on the StarQuest website. Tap Roots is a dance-focused wellness and movement brand.
• Passion PlannerminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPassion Planner is listed as a sponsor. They produce planners and journals for goal-setting, likely relevant to dancers and studio teachers.
• Forward SpaceminorGTM or Marketing PartnerForward Space appears as a sponsor on the StarQuest website.
• Dance Competition HubminorGTM or Marketing PartnerListed as a sponsor. Dance Competition Hub is a dance industry resource and competition listing platform.
• The Legacy of YouminorGTM or Marketing PartnerThe Legacy of You (thelegacyofyou.com) appears as a sponsor. The brand appears to focus on dance studio legacy and leadership resources.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Starz Dance Ovation: U.S. touring dance competition with a regional circuit and national finals targeting the same verified dance studio customers as StarQuest, with similar entry-fee and award structures.
• KAR Dance Competition: Touring dance competition company running regional and finals events for studio-registered dancers — directly comparable business model, customer base, and touring footprint.
• Tremaine Dance Conventions: Long-established U.S. dance convention and competition tour operator serving verified studios with regional events and a national finals — analogous season-based touring model.
• NUVO Dance Convention: Dance competition and convention tour with a multi-city circuit and finals serving studio-based dancers, overlapping directly with StarQuest's customer segment and event cadence.
• ShowStopper Dance Competition: Touring dance competition circuit with regionals and a flagship finals event for studio-registered dancers — closest direct comparable to StarQuest's competition and World Finals structure.
• Nexstar Dance Competition: National touring dance competition running regional events and a nationals-level competition for studio-recruited dancers — directly comparable event-driven GTM.
• JUMP Dance Convention: Dance convention and competition tour operating across U.S. cities with finals, targeting the same studio-registered dancer customer base as StarQuest.
• In10sity Dance Competition: Touring dance competition circuit featuring regionals and The Dance Awards finale, serving verified studios in a model that overlaps with StarQuest's regional + Finals structure.
• Hollywood Vibe Dance Competition: National dance competition tour with regional events and a national finals targeting studio-registered dancers across multiple U.S. cities.

Broad incumbents

• Dance Masters of America: Established national dance educators' and competition organization with regional and national competition events for member studios — a broader, more decentralized incumbent in the same niche.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/StarQuestDance
• Facebookfacebook.com/StarQuestDance/?ref=bookmarks
• Instagraminstagram.com/starquestdance
• Xx.com/starquestdance
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/starquest-international-inc.

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about StarQuest International, Inc.