*One application per business, perowner/co-owner (An owner cannotsubmit for more than one business)
*Previous winners are ineligible(business and/or owner)

Description

The 2023 Pitch 'N Pontiac Competition provides new and existing small for-profit business owners in the food, lifestyle, healthy living, IT/technology, and other industries the unique opportunity to pitch their idea and gain valuable, on‐the‐spot insight to launch and grow their businesses.

Five finalists will be selected to participate in our 2023 Pitch 'N Pontiac Competition. The Live Pitch will take place on May 4th, 2023. This exciting event allows the finalists to pitch their idea to a panel of industry experts and members of the Pontiac business community. The winners will receive monetary and consulting resources to move their businesses forward!

Informational sessions

Friday March 3rd, 2023 | 10AM -11AM | Pontiac Public Library | 60 E. Pike St #2225, Pontiac 48342
Tuesday March 7th, 2023 | 10AM- 11AM | Pontiac Public Library | 60 E. Pike St #2225, Pontiac 48342
Thursday March 16th 2023 | 6PM- 7PM | Pontiac Public Library | 60 E. Pike St #2225, Pontiac 48342
Zoom- (Virtual) Session Saturday, March 18, 2023 | 10:00-11:00am
Once you register you will be sent a confirmation with the zoom lin

Important Competition Dates

1. Applications available starting Wednesday March 1st, 2023.
2. Application Deadline: March 31st, 2023, at 11:59pm
3. Announcement of Finalists on CEED Lending website: April 7th, 2023
4. Pitch Prep Workshops for Finalists: April 24th, 27th & May 2nd,2023 (Required attendance by finalist)
5. Pitch 'N Pontiac Live Competition: May 4th, 2023

Eligibility / Requirements

• Company must be associated with the Food Industry, Lifestyle, Healthy Living, IT/Tech, or other industries
• Business must be headquartered in Pontiac
• Business Stages: start up – existing business
• Nonprofits and low‐profit limited liability companies (L3C) are ineligible
• Franchises are ineligible
• Business must be registered with the State of Michigan and City of Pontiac by April 7th (Announcement of Finalist)

Pitch format

• ‐ Five minutes for pitch, and a 5-minute Q&A with judging panel

Prizes

1st Prize New Business — $30,000 + Consulting Hours
1st Prize Existing Business — $30,000 + Consulting Hours
2nd Prize People's Choice — $30,000 + Consulting Hours

Next Steps

1. Attend one of the informational sessions for any questions.

2. Apply online at greatlakeswbc.org/pitch-n-pontiac

If you are selected as a finalist

If you are chosen as a finalist, you will receive an email AND phone call with specific instructions about dates, locations, and times.

• YOU MUST RESPOND WITHIN 48 HOURS OF NOTIFICATION or lose your opportunity

** Please refer to greatlakeswbc.org/pitch-n-pontiac competition updates.

If you have any questions, please send an email to: info@miceed.org

Reproduction and Confidentiality

• Pitch 'N Pontiac may take photographs and/or video of any materials etc.
• Confidentiality is not guaranteed in any way. Do not include confidential material in your submissions, etc.
• Winners will be required to sign a memorandum of understanding (MOU) agreeing to complete the pro bono services per program guidelines.