Cal Poly, Softec and the Economic Vitality Corp. (EVC) are accepting applications from startups in San Luis Obispo and Santa Barbara counties for the fifth annual TechPitch competition.
Entrepreneurs looking to participate must apply at www.techpitch.org and submit an executive summary of their business plan by midnight Monday, September 14. Selected startups will receive professional consulting, contacts and opportunities from affiliate organizations and will get help accessing capital.
“TechPitch seeks to promote the launch and growth of the region’s hottest new tech companies,” said Judy Mahan, director of the SBDC and CIE Incubator.
At the competition, six selected applicants will pitch their technology-related business ideas to a panel of industry experts and investors. The winner will receive the $5,000 grand prize.
The TechPitch event will be held Wednesday, October 21, at the Alex Madonna Expo Center in San Luis Obispo. This year’s keynote speaker will be Lynda Weinman, founder of Lynda.com, who recently sold her company to LinkedIn for $1.5 billion. Tickets are $15 for students. Tickets for the public are $45 per person or $300 per table of eight.
For more information on eligibility, requirements and event registration, go to www.techpitch.org, or contact Natalie Lovgren, SBDC project coordinator, at 805-756-5171 or nelovgre@calpoly.edu.
TechPitch is a collaborative event organized by the Cal Poly Small Business Development Center for Innovation, Cal Poly’s Center for Innovation & Entrepreneurship, Softec and the Economic Vitality Corp. Event sponsors include First Capital Bank, Heritage Oaks Bank, Pacific Western Bank, Experts Exchange and the Madonna Inn.