New North Inc. is working with 10 of its local partners to hold pitch events during Startup Week in Wisconsin.
The event winners will advance to a regional pitch event, scheduled for Nov. 30 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 to do so is Oct. 31. Those registering will be asked to select the one local pitch event that is closest to them or where their business is or will be located.
The local and regional entrepreneurial pitch contests are supported by the NEW Launch Alliance of New North Inc., along with Wisconsin Business Development 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 strong 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.”
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 18 and 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, in order of their occurrence, are:
- Envision This, powered by Envision Greater Fond du Lac, 5 p.m., Nov. 13 at Horace Mann High School Performing Arts Center, 325 McKinley St., North Fond du Lac. Main contact: Raina Lyman, [email protected]
- AccelSC, powered by Sheboygan County Economic Development Corporation, 4:30 p.m., Nov. 14 at Jake’s – A Lakeland Community, 529 Ontario Ave., Sheboygan. Main contact: Ray York, [email protected]
- Lighthouse Launch, powered by Door County Economic Development Corp. and Kewaunee County Economic Development Corporation 6 p.m., Nov. 15, location TBD. Main contacts: Michelle Lawrie, [email protected]; and Ben Nelson, [email protected]
- Audible, powered by the Greater Green Bay Chamber, 5:30 p.m., Nov. 16 at The Urban Hub, 340 N. Broadway, #200, Green Bay. Main contact: Ron Franklin, [email protected]
- LevelUp, powered by Progress Lakeshore, 6 p.m., at Farm Wisconsin Discovery Center, 7001 Gass Lake Road, Manitowoc. Main contact: Ann Flad-Jesion, [email protected]
- Fast Pitch, powered by FVTC Venture Center, Oshkosh Chamber, UW Extension, UW Oshkosh SBDC, 5 p.m., Nov. 21 at Fox Cities Stadium Fox Den, 2400 N. Casaloma Drive, Appleton. Main contacts: Amy Pietsch, [email protected]; and Mia Ljung, [email protected]
Pre-pitch workshops are available for applicants.
The top two winners from each of these local contests will receive prize money – $1,000 cash for first place, $500 for second place – with the top winners advancing to the NEW Launch Alliance Pitch Event Nov. 30 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 in June 2024 at Lambeau Field in Green Bay.
More information about the entrepreneurial pitch contest is available at the New North website, thenewnorth.com.
