FastPitch Competition

2018 FastPitch Competition | Save the date! 10.3.18

We’re “Shark Tank” without the bite!

Please click on the link below for an overview of the Competition and NIU-Rockford’s event space.

Stay tuned for more information. Please see below: 2017 news release for an overview of last year’s competition.

2017 FastPitch Competition Post-Competition News Release

An instant success 10 years in the making | Thinker Ventures Blog

2017 FastPitch Competition Winners & Participants

First place: Dr. Trevor Gibbs | Product – Anestand

Second place: Jared Larson | GunkStick

Third place: Elisabeth Stecki | Travel Sufficient Alcohol Kits (TSA-Kit)

Clean Tech Award and Student Award: Chad Wilson | Electric Vehicle Technologies

Dale Falconer, “Spirit of Entrepreneurship Award”: Emarc Malavolti | Fresh2Go

Finalists who made the stage!

Robert Glaser | Virtual Time Capsule

Levi Johnston | AcuTrack | DaVinci Industries

Robert Kuang | Figuro3D

Matthew Noakes | Fantasy Down

Michael Roncke | irockcooler

Aaron Serrano | Military Cost Cutters

Presenters who went the extra mile!

Alyssa Ebert | Feed Fido

Eric Emery | Cool Head

Tom Frank | Pro Athletes Club

Alex Gary | Presidential Poker

Luke Graham | Hivemind

John Gustafson Stone | Ground Whole Wheat Flour | Bear Farms

Martin Hyatte | ANM Athletic Development

Dapo Kolawole | Citispoon

Brandon Kuri | Student Life

Mary Ley | Styr O Tone

Allan Mihelich | CTreeTopUSA

Shana Marotta | Tastefully Healthy Rockford

O’Raphael Okoro | 3rd Grid Generator

Mike Peterson | Tobotics

Andrew Reynolds | Oppspark

Mary Rivera | Jadadom

Omar Saulters | Basketball for Beloit

Nathen Smith | Valet Auto Solutions

Who: Passionate entrepreneurs in all phases of business, including startup, pre-startup or idea stage. High school seniors and college-age students welcome

When: Wednesday, October 3, 2018 | 3:30 p.m. Initial Presentations | 6 p.m. Final Presentations | Open to the Public, 5 PM

Presentation Training-STRONGLY suggested | Tuesday, September 25 and Thursday, September 27, 2017 | 5:30 – 8 PM

Deadline for FastPitch participants to submit their business pitches in writing for pre-qualification is Thursday, September 20; accepted participants will be notified no later than Monday, September 24.

Where: NIU-Rockford, 8500 East State Street, Rockford, IL

Why: To win cash prizes, feedback, and exposure! With a top prize of $5,000 at stake, it will be well worth three minutes of your time! In addition to our traditional first, second, third place prizes, and the student prize, there will also be the Dale Falconer “Spirit of Entrepreneurship” and CleanTech prize.

CleanTech is defined as Companies that seek to increase performance, productivity, and efficiency by minimizing negative effects on the environment.

FastPitch Competition flyer

FastPitch Competition Sponsors

*2018FastPitch Competition_RegistrationForm-coming soon | *May need to choose “Edit View” in Word

The FastPitch Competition is an annual event that draws participants from throughout the region. Starting in 2006, this competition has attracted entrepreneurs in all phases of business from pre-startup, just an idea on a napkin to companies that have been in business or plan to expand with a new service or product. The idea is to answer six key questions (see below) in three minutes or less—your elevator speech—to a select group of judges who are entrepreneurs themselves or that work with entrepreneurs on a regular basis. In business, “three strikes” is generous. If you can’t pitch your product, service or concept in three minutes—you’re outta there!

The FastPitch Competition is your chance to prove the potential of your business idea…meet people who can help you succeed…maybe even win a cash prize! This is no field of dreams: traditionally the top prize that’s awarded is $5,000. All competitors will receive constructive feedback, a fun experience and valuable exposure to investors, business leaders, potential mentors, and media.

Submit your pitch in writing (1,000 words or less) for pre-qualification to Sherry Pritz; verbal presentations only—no PowerPoints. Questions? Call 815.753.2192.

We’re “Shark Tank” without the bite!