New North Inc., as part of its efforts to support entrepreneurism in the region, is working with 10 of its local partners to hold pitch events during Startup Week, the in Wisconsin. The event winners will advance to a regional pitch event, scheduled for November 30 at TitletownTech in Green Bay.
Entrepreneurs within the New North who are interested in participating in the qualifying, local pitch events are asked to upload their pitch ideas at https://www.startupwi.org/new-north. The deadline to do so is October 31. Those registering will be asked to select the one local pitch event that is closest to them or where their business is/will be located.
Last year’s winners included Hang 10 Poké, AntiMussel, and Starr Merrie Native Gifts.
The local and regional entrepreneurial pitch contests are supported by the NEW Launch Alliance of New North Inc., along with Wisconsin Business Development Inc. The NEW Launch Alliance was formed to create a more robust and productive entrepreneurial ecosystem across the 18 counties of the New North region, connecting entrepreneurs, mentors, investors, educators, accelerators and other resources.
“New North believes that a strong entrepreneurial ecosystem is vital to the success of our regional economy,” says Barb LaMue, president and CEO of New North Inc., the economic development corporation fostering collaboration among the 18 counties of Northeast Wisconsin. “We appreciate the strong efforts of our partners who join us to provide an opportunity for creative business ideas to be shared through the local pitch competitions and their ongoing support for entrepreneurs. We thank Wisconsin Business Development Inc. for its sponsorship of the local and regional events, Headway for hosting the application website and TitletownTech for being the host location for the regional pitch event.”
The local contests are open to all residents located in Northeast Wisconsin or those who will be launching their businesses in the region. Contestants must be at least 18 years of age and the business must have generated no more than $300,000 in annual revenue or capital raised. Winners from the last two years are not eligible to receive award money.
The six local pitch events, in order of their occurrence, are:
Envision This, Powered by Envision Greater Fond du Lac
Date: Monday, November 13, 2023
Start time: 5 p.m.
Location: Horace Mann High School Performing Arts Center, 325 McKinley St., North Fond du Lac
Main contact: Raina Lyman, rlyman@envisiongreaterfdl.com
AccelSC, Powered by Sheboygan County Economic Development Corporation
Date: Tuesday, November 14, 2023
Start time: 4:30 p.m.
Location: Jake’s – A Lakeland Community, 529 Ontario Ave., Sheboygan
Main contact: Ray York, york@sheboygancountyedc.com
Lighthouse Launch, Powered by Door County Economic Development Corp. and Kewaunee County Economic Development Corporation
Date: Wednesday, November 15, 2023
Start time: 6 p.m.
Location: TBD
Main contacts: Michelle Lawrie, michelle@doorcountybusiness.com; and Ben Nelson, ben.nelson@kcedc.org
Audible, Powered by the Greater Green Bay Chamber
Date: Thursday, November 16, 2023
Start time: 5:30 p.m.
Location: The Urban Hub, 340 N. Broadway, #200, Green Bay
Main contact: Ron Franklin, rfranklin@greatergbc.org
LevelUp, Powered by Progress Lakeshore
Date: Thursday, November 16, 2023
Start time: 6 p.m.
Location: Farm Wisconsin Discovery Center, 7001 Gass Lake Road, Manitowoc
Main contact: Ann Flad-Jesion, ann@progresslakeshore.org
Fast Pitch, Powered by FVTC Venture Center, Oshkosh Chamber, UW Extension, UW Oshkosh SBDC
Date: Tuesday, November 21, 2023
Start time: 5 p.m.
Location: Fox Cities Stadium Fox Den, 2400 N. Casaloma Dr., Appleton
Main contacts: Amy Pietsch, amy.pietsch4369@fvtc.edu; and Mia Ljung, mia.ljung@wisc.edu
Pre-pitch workshops are available for applicants.
The top two winners from each of these local contests will receive prize money – $1,000 cash for first place, $500 for second place – with the top winners advancing to the NEW Launch Alliance Pitch Event on Thursday, November 30, where they will compete for additional funding for their business ideas and broad investor attention. Prize money at the regional event is $2,000 for first place, $1,000 for second place and $500 for third place.
Regional winners also will be invited to give an update at the New North Summit in June 2024 at Lambeau Field in Green Bay.
More information about the entrepreneurial pitch contest is available at the New North website, www.thenewnorth.com.
