By Amber Kennedy
Aspiring entrepreneurs are invited to share their innovative business ideas in the first 757Pitch competition since February 2020. The event, sponsored by the 51Ç鱨վ Institute for Innovation & Entrepreneurship (51Ç鱨վ-IIE) and Startwheel.org, challenges entrants to demonstrate a scalable, high-growth business model in a seven-minute pitch. Applications will be accepted until July 30.
The winner of 757Pitch receives a prize package of resources and training valued at $10,000, including free rent at Colley Executive Offices; logo and business card design; a headshot session; social media and marketing consultations; features in NFK Currents and on local radio; and access to the resources of 51Ç鱨վ-IIE.
Successful applicants should be able to demonstrate a plan to scale their businesses to sell a product or service to national or international markets. In addition, pitch participants will have to demonstrate knowledge of their competitors and market size.
Selected pitch teams will be announced Aug. 8 and invited to attend a "How to Pitch" online session on Aug. 11 before participating in the live, in-person pitch competition from 6 to 8:30 p.m. Aug. 17 at Colley Executive Offices in Norfolk.
Since its launch in 2017, 757Pitch has selected 16 winners. The inaugural winner, , founded the innovative fountain-faucet design company Nasoni and was recently recognized by Fast Company as a 2020 World Changing Idea finalist in the Consumer Product Category. The 757Pitch competition is one of several business development programs offered by 51Ç鱨վ-IIE, which serves as a thought leader, convener and catalyst for innovation and entrepreneurship initiatives throughout Virginia.
For more information and to apply, visit .
