– Yavapai College, Yavapai College Small Business Development Center (SBDC), and Moonshot Az are proud to announce the AZ Pioneer Pitch State-Wide Tour—an entrepreneurship contest similar to ABC’s Shark Tank—is coming back to the Quad Cities as part of the fourth annual tour.
Whether you’re an entrepreneur with a moonshot start-up idea or a seasoned founder with a business you’d like to expand, participation in the event hones your business skills and assists in moving your business forward.
The final event will be held on February 24th, 2023 at the Yavapai College Prescott Campus. Entrants must apply by February 1st, 2023 and remit only $35 to participate.
Local prize packages for the top three winners are as follows: First place: $1,500, a year membership to the Prescott Chamber of Commerce, and a chance to compete at the state-level competition in July. Second place: $1,000, Third place: $500
In addition to competing to win cash prizes and Moonshot scholarships, entrants will also receive start-up and pitch education led by Ruth Ellen Elinski, SBDC Director, and her team of business analysts. Workshops will run from 5 - 7 p.m. on February 1, 8, 15, and 22. Participants will be prompted to sign up for the workshops after completing the online application.
“I am honored to be working alongside Moonshot Az in support of area entrepreneurs and to bringing this competition back to the Quad Cities in Yavapai County,” Elinski said. “Having one of our very own entrepreneurs, Elaine O’Connor of Prescott Bark, win the state competition last year, capturing the grand prize of $10,000, we know that Yavapai County entrepreneurs are competitive. We are eager to support our local businesses and start-ups for this year’s challenge.”
The competition continues to empower business owners and provides opportunities to learn new skills and strengthen their business overall. Participants prepare, practice, and perfect a 5-minute pitch presentation for a panel of judges who select the finalists. The winner of the Quad Cities Pioneer Pitch Competition will go on to compete in the state-wide competition for a $10,000 cash prize from sponsors Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arizona and Arizona Commerce Authority. The final event, which also honors successful Moonshot entrepreneurs throughout Arizona, will be held in Flagstaff at Little America Hotel in July 2023.
Event Sponsors: Moonshot Az, Yavapai College SBDC, Yavapai College, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arizona, Arizona Commerce Authority, Pinnacle Bank, Regional Economic Development Center, Verde Valley Regional Economic Organization (VVREO), Town of Chino Valley, City of Prescott, LaserGirl SkinCare, Eightfold Technology, Prescott Executive Offices, and Jersey Lilly Saloon. We also have several in kind sponsors providing resources to the winners and supporting the promotion of the event including the Prescott Chamber of Commerce, The Prescott Times, and Perfect Angle Photography.
About Yavapai College SBDC: YCSBDC offers no cost, one on one, confidential consulting and educational training to business owners and entrepreneurs throughout Yavapai County. With expertise to help you grow and expand your business, the SBDC team of experts provides access to a wide variety of tools and resources to strengthen your business.
About Yavapai College: Yavapai College offers life-changing personalized education, career training, lifelong learning and workforce development opportunities online and in person at six locations across beautiful Yavapai County, AZ. www.yc.edu/sbdc
About Moonshot Az: Moonshot Az is an entrepreneur development program that promotes the creation and sustainable growth of local business. It offers multi-track programs to help businesses become ready for the market as well as entrepreneurship mentoring, speaker series and community events. www.moonshotaz.com
