Participation in the pitch competition is free of charge. You do not need to have experience as an entrepreneur to compete. You can simply have an idea for a product or service.

Participants will be taught how to present a business pitch in 5 minutes.

Each tour stop competition schedule will vary, depending on how many applicants apply. We will expect you attend the full day event, should you apply.

A sample schedule and sample presentations from past tour stops events will be shared below. We’ll make sure you have as much reference material as possible.

You do not need to use a slide show (like Powerpoint or Canva) to present your ideas; however, if you’d like to do so, that’s wonderful. Past winners have won local tour stop events without the assistance of slide shows.

Learn more about what to expect and take a look at past pitch presentations here.

Check out individual tour stop pages listed in the menu above or go to our calendar page.

Check out our Participant Resources page.

The schedule for each tour stop will vary depending on the number of applicants who apply to compete. We’ve broken the sample agendas out below. These are subject to change. This year, we are capping the number of participants in larger tour stops to 20 participants. Applications will be accepted first come, first serve.

Tour Site A - less than 10 applicants (smaller events/tour stops)

Agenda A:

8:30 AM - Voluntary Workshop- Fill out pitch worksheet

9:00 AM: 1st Pitch Practice Workshop, emphasis on financials and business model

10:30 or 11:00 AM: 2nd Pitch Practice Workshop, emphasis on legal and branding/marketing

12:00 or 12:30 PM: Working lunch, pitch deck cleanup

1:30 or 2:00 PM: Start Pitch Competition

3:00 or 3:30: Announce Winners

Tour Site B - 10-12 applicants, 2 rooms

Agenda B:

8:30 AM - Voluntary Workshop- Fill out pitch worksheet

Break applicants into 2 groups

9:00 AM: GROUP 1- 1st Pitch Practice Workshop, emphasis on financials and business model

GROUP 2- 1st Pitch Practice Workshop, emphasis on legal and branding/marketing

10:30 or 11:00 AM - GROUP 1- Pitch Practice Workshop, emphasis on legal and branding/marketing

GROUP 2- 2nd Pitch Practice Workshop, emphasis on financials and business model

12:00 or 12:30 PM: Working lunch, pitch deck cleanup

1:30 or 2:00 PM: Start Pitch Competition

3:00 or 3:30: Announce Winners

Tour Site C- 12-20 applicants, 3 rooms

Agenda C:  

8:30 AM - Voluntary Workshop- Fill out pitch worksheet

Break applicants into 3 groups

9:00 AM: GROUP 1- 1st Pitch Practice Workshop

GROUP 2- 1st Pitch Practice Workshop

GROUP 3- 1st Pitch Practice Workshop

10:30 or 11:00 AM - GROUP 1- 2nd Pitch Practice Workshop

GROUP 2- 2nd Pitch Practice Workshop

GROUP 3- 2nd Pitch Practice Workshop

Participants will only attend 2 of 3 practice rounds/ Applicants will be cut down to 8-10 for the finals

12:00 or 12:30 PM - Working lunch, pitch deck cleanup

1:30 or 2:00 PM - Start Pitch Competition

3:00 or 3:30 - Announce Winners

See examples of past pitch presentations here.

Here’s an example of the pitch worksheet that all participants receive at the beginning of the day. It walks you through how to pitch your idea/business and what elements you need to include.