Neighborhood pitch series #PitchIn launching at Startup Week

May 20, 2019

Would you like more exposure for your small business or organization? Could you use some cash to put behind your mission? Do you have an idea for a project you want to launch in your community? Then #PitchIn is for you!

The Entrepreneurs Center (TEC) and its partners are launching #PitchIn, a series of community pitch events that will be held across TEC’s eight-county service area.

#PitchIn will kick off in the Oregon District, Monday, June 3 at 5:30pm. The first edition will be held at Wiley’s Comedy Joint in partnership with the Oregon District Business Association (ODBA).

People living, working, or connected to the Oregon District are invited to apply for the pitch event to share their business or social entrepreneurship idea before a panel of judges for the chance to win a competitive prize. #PitchIn attendees can also donate during the event and vote on the winner that takes home that second community-pooled prize the same night.

“We want to showcase the Oregon District’s innovators and makers,” OBDA Executive Director Carolyn DesJardin said. “The Oregon District is a vibrant area and a great fit for the needs of entrepreneurs and small businesses.”

The Monday, June 3 event will also be part of the Techstars Startup Week Dayton lineup.

“Our hope is that the momentum of Startup Week will help draw attention to some of the entrepreneurial activity happening in the neighborhoods too,” Startup Week co-organizer John Owen of Wright State Research Institute said.

The Oregon District edition of #PitchIn is sponsored by Canary Consulting & Gottschlich & Portune. Stay tuned for more info about the local caterers who will bring the eats.

“We want to feature the region’s entrepreneurs and the communities that support them,” Kim Frazier, Director of Growth Initiatives for TEC, said.

The Oregon District #PitchIn will be the first is a series of #PitchIn events. Other neighborhood associations and municipalities are invited & encouraged to attend.

“It used to be that entrepreneurs had to come to us to get the help the needed,” TEC President Scott Koorndyk said. “But that leaves too many people with great ideas on the sidelines, not knowing about the services we offer. This way, we’re coming to the neighborhoods to see what they’ve got, and how we can partner and broaden the support for entrepreneurs, no matter where they are.”

Click here to apply to pitch, or contact Bonnie Kling at [email protected].

Involved with the Oregon District and want to sponsor this first #PitchIn? Contact Carolyn DesJardin at [email protected].

Interested in sponsoring the whole #PitchIn series? Contact Kim Frazier at [email protected].