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Get your pitch ready! The 11th annual FastPitch Competition is coming Oct. 4

May 26, 2017
NIU’s 11th annual EIGERlab FastPitch Competition — your chance to prove the potential of your business idea in three minutes or less — will be held on Wednesday, Oct. 4, at the NIU EIGERlab, 8500 E. State St., in Rockford, IL. Initial presentations will kick off at 3:30 p.m., and final presentations will start at 5 p.m. The public is welcome to join the event. A total of six prizes will be awarded to the best pitches. The top prize winner will receive $5,000. High school seniors and college-age students are encouraged to join the competition.

Since the initial NIU EIGERlab FastPitch Competition in 2006, this event has attracted entrepreneurs in all phases of business from pre-startup — just an idea on a napkin — to companies that have been in business or plan to expand with a new service or product. The idea is to answer six key questions in three minutes or less—your elevator speech—to a select group of judges who are entrepreneurs themselves or who work with entrepreneurs on a regular basis. In business, “three strikes” is generous. If you can’t pitch your product, service or concept in three minutes — you’re outta there!

All competitors will receive constructive feedback, a fun experience and valuable exposure to investors, business leaders, potential mentors and the media. So come test the market at no cost, in a safe, non-judgmental environment and join the growing list of successful entrepreneurs from the regionThe entry deadline for the FastPitch Competition registration is Thursday, Sept. 21. To help you finesse your pitch, NIU EIGERlab will be offering FastPitch presentation training on Tuesday, Sept. 26, and Thursday, Sept. 28, from 5:30 – 8 p.m.

Submit your pitch in writing (1,000 words or less – no PowerPoints) for pre-qualification to Sherry Pritz. For more information, registration forms and to check out videos on the Competition, visit the website or call 815-753-2192.