Small Business Pitch Program Overview
The Small Business Pitch competition is your chance to present your startup idea to a panel of judges and win seed funding. Rio Salado College, in partnership with NACCE, is hosting a virtual Small Business Pitch event. If you are ready to GROW your business, the Small Business Pitch @ Rio Salado is for you!
Open to current students and recent alumni, this event showcases the creativity and drive of Rio’s student entrepreneurs.
Who it's for:
- Open to all students who are currently enrolled in a minimum of 3 credit hours at Rio. All majors welcome.
- Students with a developed business plan or operating a small business
- Graduates of the StartUp Sprint
What you'll gain:
- Experience pitching your business to real judges
- Opportunity to win seed money
- Visibility for your brand and idea
- Access to the Rio entrepreneur community
How it works:
Winners will receive a grant award that is a reimbursement for eligible business expenses to Rio Salado student entrepreneurs planning to grow their small businesses. Expenses may include but are not limited to, legal fees for registering the name and protecting trademarks, setting up a website, keeping the website running each year, improving social media visibility, boosting online search visibility, running marketing campaigns, and buying necessary equipment and supplies. All expenses are subject to approval.
Small Business Pitch Awards
- 1st Place: $2,000
- 2nd Place: $1,250
- 3rd Place: $750
- 4th Place: $250
(Previous pitch winners are not eligible.)
How to Apply
Click on the application button below to submit your application and 5-minute pitch video. Your application will need to include the following items:
- Simple business plan
- 5-minute pitch video
- W-9 Form, Request for Taxpayer Identification
Please review the detailed instructions on the application before completing your video and business plan.