Local colleges getting ready for ‘The Pitch’ entrepreneurial collegiate competition
Prize money and start-up assistance will be awarded to top competitors
GREEN BAY – The Pitch, at the Fox Cities Stadium May 3, 2017, will bring the best entrepreneurial ideas from the brightest college students in Northeast Wisconsin together to compete for more than $40,000 in awards – including cash prizes and professional startup assistance. The first-ever competition is already underway with preliminary competitions on four campuses and is part of the Fox Connection’s ongoing commitment to develop student entrepreneurs.
The Fox Connection is a collaboration of academic institutions in northeast Wisconsin to enhance entrepreneurial education and opportunity for area students. The organization was initiated by local business leaders and representatives from the four founding universities — Lawrence University, St. Norbert College, UW Oshkosh and UW-Green Bay.
Currently, each school is hosting its own preliminary pitch contest. Two winning teams from each of the four schools will then advance to compete in The Pitch finals, May 3. The finalists will present their ideas to a panel of judges in front of an audience of area students, community members, business leaders, entrepreneurs and investors at the Fox Cities Stadium.
“These talented local students and their inspiring ideas are a critical factor in the future of our entrepreneurial ecosystem,” said Jill Enos, managing director for New Venture Foundry, one of the major sponsors of the event. “Every business leader interested in the future vitality of our region should put the May 3 event on their calendars. It’s not only a highly engaging competition, but the attendance of our regional leaders will strongly encourage our area’s brightest minds to stay here and build their businesses here.”
In addition to cash awards, the winners will receive in-kind business startup help including web design and development, hosting, product prototyping, marketing, legal and accounting support. Some of the in-kind sponsors include Zymo Interactive, Assure Professional, Headway, Fox-3DC, Davis & Kuelthau, the Docking Station and KHROME.
Nicolet National Bank is the premier sponsor for The Pitch. Other sponsors include the New Venture Foundry, Lawrence University Alumni, Steve & Kaye Schneider, UW-Green Bay’s Austin E. Cofrin School of Business, UW Oshkosh Alta Resources Center for Entrepreneurship & Innovation, Michael Best, Wipfli and Bay Tek Games.
For more information, visit foxconnection.org, or contact Jill Enos or any of the four college representatives: Gary Vaughan of Lawrence University, Ryan Kauth of UW-Green Bay, Jordan Rhodes of UW Oshkosh, or Kevin Quinn of St. Norbert College.
About the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay
The University of Wisconsin-Green Bay is a comprehensive public institution offering undergraduate and graduate programs to 6,700 students. The University transforms lives and communities through exceptional and award-winning teaching and research, innovative learning opportunities, and a problem-solving approach to education. For more information, visit www.uwgb.edu.
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