Entrepreneur quarterbacks and even armchair entrepreneurs will have the chance to prove their business plan can "score" during a special elevator- pitch competition on April 9 from 5:30-8:30 p.m. at The Cooperage on the Sonoma State University campus.
The Two-Minute Drill event is co-hosted by the North Bay Angels, Sonoma State University, The Press Democrat and the Golden State Capital Network and is part of the upcoming 2nd Annual North Bay Golden State Venture Capital Conference in May.
Two SSU MBA entrepreneneurial student teams will be competing on April 9. "We are excited to be able to host these sessions and at the same time provide our students with opportunities to have their new venture ideas evaluated by experts," says Armand Gilinsky, who teaches the MBA Entrepreneurship class and is also the Director of the E Center at Sonoma State. "This is a vital first step on the path towards the future funding of student-initiated ventures," he adds.
In the Two-Minute Drill competition, entrepreneurs will have a chance to present two-minute "elevator pitches" to the audience and receive a score in key categories from a panel of judges who are seasoned angel and venture capital investors. During this "pitch" the company leaders will justify why their high-tech business is worthy of an angel or venture capital investment.
Sponsors of the conference have put together this competition and coaching forum for promising start up and early-stage companies. A maximum of 20 companies who apply will be able to make a 2-minute elevator pitch to a select panel of angel and venture capital investors.
The judges will then select the best North Bay entry from the presentations to receive a complimentary slot to be a presenting company at the upcoming North Bay Golden State Venture Capital Conference slated for May 6-7 at the DoubleTree Hotel in Rohnert Park as well as a special coaching session before the actual event.
Along with the competition, organizers will also provide a special workshop that will highlight components of a successful elevator pitch and also the keys to building a successful executive summary and PowerPoint presentation that generates interest from investors.
Companies who think they have the "game" to take part in the Two-Minute Drill must send an e-mail to entrepreneur@goldencapital.net. Guidelines on what to include in can be found at www.goldencapital.net/Events/Apply_To_Present.asp. The competition is open to any California company, with priority going to companies located in the North Bay.
For more information on the competition and tips on how to polish a pitch, entrepreneurs should visit the web site, www.goldencapital.net or call (530) 893-8828. The event is open to the public. Those who RSVP in advance via e-mail at rsvp@goldencapital.net will be charged $20; people registering at the door will be charged $30.
