FastPitch 2012 Competition

The program is designed to identify promising local entrepreneurs and grant them access to community resources in an effort to help them start new ventures and grow existing ones.  The concept allows for entrepreneurs to make a three-minute presentation of their innovative venture and be assessed as to the viability of the venture by local community leaders, investors, and academic professionals. The most promising venture ideas are further encouraged, supported, and hopefully funded stimulating local economic development.

• In 2012 the first stage applications will be judged by a panel drawn by the organizers.
• Participants will then be invited to submit a one-page executive summary,attend a training workshop and compete at the event.
• During the event judges drawn from local business angel investors, service providers and successful entrepreneurs will judge each pitch and the one-page executive summary.
• We encourage applicants from any part of Southern Georgia or the Creative Coast (Savannah and Hilton Head locales).
• Being involved in the competition has some specific benefits: post competition coaching support; the opportunity to pitch an idea to prospective investors; and, the opportunity to win the competition prize.

Typical Applicants

• Entrepreneurs (see below) who are trying to start a new venture or have a new idea in an existing venture for which they need support can apply to FastPitch 2012.
• Applicants apply via the event’s website where they will include basic information about the venture and a max 200 words description of the venture’s business idea.

In 2012 there are three categories of entrepreneurs who can apply to compete:

• Student Entrepreneur: A student or recent graduate of one of the local colleges (e.g. Georgia Southern University, Georgia Tech, SCAD, Savannah State, Armstrong State, Ogeechee Tech, or East Georgia College) then they may apply as a ‘student entrepreneur’. A recent graduate includes people who have graduated in the last year. Student entrepreneurs include anybody who has an idea that they would like to start.
• Early Stage Entrepreneur: If they have an idea for a new business and have developed a business concept for the idea (including, having researched the market potential for the product, checked the competition, developed a revenue model and figured out how to sell the product, etc.) but have not yet started to market and sell your product/service they qualify as an Early Stage Entrepreneur.
• Local Entrepreneur: If they have a venture that has started to market and sell your product/service then they are considered a Local Entrepreneur.

For more information, please go to http://www.fastpitchcompetition.com/