Finding Business Leaders for the TechPitch Competition
The Cal Poly Small Business Development Center for Innovation (SBDC) and Center for Innovation & Entrepreneurship (CIE), Softec, and the Economic Vitality Corporation (EVC) are calling all startups originating or headquartered in San Luis Obispo County or Santa Barbara County to apply to the 4th annual TechPitch competition.
Marty Affentranger, a TechPitch applicant, has a startup company that started with a group of students in a classroom.
Affentranger’s company is called Superior Solutions Manufacturing and they’ve created a video that shows how their product works. He’s practiced the pitch, and is ready to pitch it at the TechPitch competition.
Affentranger is among applicants who could become the next TechPitch success story.
Chelsea Brown, programs, events and media coordinator with Cal Poly Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship, said, “TechPitch started because we have a lot of great talent in the area but there is no place for them to go for funding.”
Brown said one group that gained exposure a year ago may be on the next season of ABC’s “Shark Tank.”
Applicants will be narrowed down to six. Last year around 40 startups applied.
The six applicants will pitch their technology-related business idea to a panel of prominent industry experts and investors.
Out of the six contestants, one winner will be chosen to receive a $5,000 prize to be used towards business expenses and investment.
The winner will receive professional consulting services, contacts and opportunities from the affiliate organizations.
Entrepreneurs looking to participate must apply attechpitch.organd submit an executive summary of their business plan.
The deadline to submit entries is midnight,Sept.22.
The TechPitch event will be held on Wednesday, Oct. 22, from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Alex Madonna Expo Center in San Luis Obispo. For more information and event registration, visittechpitch.org.
