New North Inc. is working with 12 of its local partners to hold pitch events during Startup Week in the state. The event winners will advance to a regional pitch event Dec., 4 at TitletownTech in Green Bay.
Entrepreneurs within the New North who are interested in participating in the qualifying, local pitch events are asked to upload their pitch ideas at https://www.startupwi.org/new-north. The deadline is Oct. 31. Those registering will be asked to select the local pitch event that is closest to them or where their business is located (see list below).
The local and regional entrepreneurial pitch contests are supported by the NEW Launch Alliance of New North Inc., along with WBD Inc.
“New North believes that a strong entrepreneurial ecosystem is vital to the success of our regional economy,” says Barb LaMue, president and CEO of New North Inc., the economic development corporation fostering collaboration among the 18 counties of Northeast Wisconsin. “We appreciate the efforts of our partners who join us to provide an opportunity for creative business ideas to be shared through the local pitch competitions and their ongoing support for entrepreneurs. We thank WBD Inc. for its sponsorship of the local and regional events, Headway.io for hosting the application website and TitletownTech for being the host location of the regional pitch event.”
The local contests are open to all residents located in Northeast Wisconsin or those who will be launching their businesses in the region. Contestants must be at least 18and the business must have generated no more than $300,000 in annual revenue or capital raised. Winners from the last two years are not eligible to receive award money.
The six local pitch events are:
Audible, Nov. 12, Urban Hub, 340 N. Broadway Ave., #200, Green Bay (Lisa Jossart, ljossart@greatergbc.org)
Accelerate Sheboygan County. Nov 12, Jake’s Café, 529 Ontario Ave., Sheboygan (Ray York, york@sheboygancountyedc.com)
Lighthouse Launch, Nov. 13, Door County Maritime Museum, 120 N. Madison Ave., Sturgeon Bay (Michelle Lawrie, michelle@doorcountybusiness.com, and Ben Nelson, ben.nelson@kcedc.org)
Fast Pitch, Nov. 13, at 5 p.m., Fox Cities Stadium Fox Den, 2400 N. Casaloma Drive, Appleton(Amy Pietsch, amy.pietsch4369@fvtc.edu, and Mia Ljung, mia.ljung@wisc.edu)
LevelUp, Nov. 14, Farm Wisconsin Discovery Center, 7001 Gass Lake Road, Manitowoc (Ann Flad-Jesion, ann@progresslakeshore.org)
Envision This, Nov. 18, Fond du Lac County Highway Department, 1820 S. Hickory St., Fond du Lac (Lisa McArthur, lmcarthur@envisiongreaterfdl.com)
Pre-pitch workshops are available for applicants.
The top two winners from each of these local contests will receive $1,000 for first place and $500 for second place with the top winners advancing to the NEW Launch Alliance Pitch Event Dec. 4 where they will compete for additional funding for their business ideas and broad investor attention. Prize money at the regional event is $2,000 for first place, $1,000 for second place and $500 for third place.
Regional winners also will be invited to give an update at the New North Summit, June 5, at Lambeau Field in Green Bay.
More information about the entrepreneurial pitch contest is available at the New North website, thenewnorth.com.
