The Cal Poly Small Business Development Center for Innovation (SBDC) and Center for Innovation & Entrepreneurship (CIE), Softec, the Economic Vitality Corporation (EVC), and the Business & Entrepreneurship Center at Cuesta College (BEC) are calling all startups, originating or headquartered in San Luis Obispo County or Northern Santa Barbara County to apply online to the 3rd Annual TechPitch competition at techpitch.org. The extended deadline to submit applications is midnight on October 7, 2013.
At this community event, sponsored by Madonna Inn, eight select applicants will pitch their viable technology-related business idea(s) to a panel of prominent industry experts. Out of those eight contestants, one winner will be chosen to receive valuable follow up services, contacts and opportunities from the affiliate organizations. Entrepreneurs looking to participate must apply at techpitch.org and submit an Executive Summary summarizing their business plans.
“To qualify to pitch, your company must be a seed- or early-stage startup,” said Thea Chase, director of the Cal Poly SBDC. “As we define it, this means you probably haven’t raised over $2 million of investment, and probably don’t have more than $1 million in annual revenue. If you qualify as a Finalist, you must be available to practice and refine your pitch with our TechPitch Committee.”
“The finalists of our screening process will get valuable instant feedback, and all event attendees will learn key business funding strategies,” added Michael Manchak, EVC president.
Softec President, Bob Dumouchel, stated that “TechPitch 2013 will be the third time that our organizations have partnered to provide a forum for local technology entrepreneurs to pitch their business ideas on stage to a panel of seasoned judges.”
TechPitch will be held on Wednesday, October 23, 2013, from 3:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the Alex Madonna Expo Center in San Luis Obispo. Tickets are available to the general public for $59/person; $400 per table of 8; and $29 for students. For more information and event registration, please visit techpitch.org or call Judy Mahan, Assistant Director, Cal Poly SBDC for Innovation at (805) 756-5171.