Calling all Food Entrepreneurs!
Chuck Lynd
Calling all Food Entrepreneurs! We need YOU and YOUR FOOD at The Big Pitch at www.FoodStartOhio.org.
On June 21st, at Franklin University, we're going to have 30+ entrepreneurs providing "tastings" of their products. The general public will buy tickets to attend, and each person attending will be able to taste one of each entrepreneur's products, and then vote for their pick for best restaurant, best mobile food, and best food product. We’re estimating that about 200 members of the public will attend, eat, and vote. We'll tally up the votes at the end, consider your business plan info, and select the top three finalists in each of the three categories (9 total entrepreneurs) to invite back on the 28th.
On June 28th, at Franklin University, we have a panel of judges for each category (4 to 5 judges per category) and each of the nine finalists will cook for their panel of judges. In addition to cooking, you will make your "big pitch" to the judges for why your product is good and why you should win the cash and mentoring. Each panel will rank 1,2,3 their three entrepreneurs. We'll announce the results, and then have a party, pizza from Donatos and ice cream from Jeni's. The intent of the party is to give folks the opportunity to mingle with the judges, other winners, and general public. Should be a great networking opportunity. In each category:
1st place: $1000 plus a year of free mentoring
2nd place: $500 plus 6 months of free mentoring
3rd place: 6 months of free mentoring
For mentoring, we will match two or three mentors with each entrepreneur. Each mentor has committed to at least 1 hour of mentoring per month. I am looking to match mentors with entrepreneurs according to your needs. We have packaging experts, marketing experts, restaurant experts, mobile experts, business plan experts et al. So, if you get mentoring, you will get two or three experts giving you a least an hour of their time each month.
Judges are: http://www.foodstartohio.org/meet-our-judges.html
Mentors are: http://www.foodstartohio.org/meet-our-mentors.html
To register, we need you to fill out the online form from this page: https://www.wsbaohio.org/about/big-pitch.html We need your info, $25, and a commitment to prepare tastings for 200 folks for the 21st.
We're going to have coverage in the Metropreneur, Business First, and other places, and lots of publicity through social media in particular. And of course, on the 21st, direct in-person exposure to over 200 potential customers.
Help the good people at Food Start prepare for this exciting event...
Amateur or budding entrepreneur, DO go ahead and sign up for this opportunity ASAP and pay the $25 registration fee on the website.
Foodies of all types and stripes: DO go ahead and sign up/pay the $20 day fee or $30 for both days on the website.
All questions to: Bob Leighty, boblei...@gmail.com
Chuck Lynd
Simply Living Interim Director
Support Our Local Economy Coalition
Think Columbus First Campaign
Columbus OH
614-354-6172 (cell)
"Sustainability is the final frontier"