The Pitch

The Kittitas County Chamber of Commerce is excited to launch The Pitch, a business pitch competition.

Wheel Line Cider, a past contestant of the Enterprise Challenge, approached the Kittitas County Chamber of Commerce to produce this new competition for businesses in Kittitas County. “This is a great way to continue encouraging innovative entrepreneurs and opportunities throughout Kittitas County,” said Amy McGuffin, CEO of the Kittitas County Chamber of Commerce.

In its inaugural year, applicants must be a Kittitas County business that participated in the Enterprise Challenge Competition from the years 2021-2023 to be eligible for the 2023 competition.

Applications are open from April 26, 2023 through May 12 at 5:00 p.m. or until spots are filled. Click the button below to apply for the 2023 competition.

What is the prize money for winning The Pitch?

Contest rules and eligibility requirements

The Pitch is for individuals, teams, or start-up companies that are located in Kittitas County. Participants must comply with the following:

The business must have been an Enterprise Challenge Contestant from 2021, 2022 or 2023 and apply with the same Business Name / Idea as the year they competed.
Teams and/or businesses must be based in and have 51% of the partners located in Kittitas County, Washington.
A supporting business license number or status documentation must be provided at registration.
Franchise, Chains, Affiliations, Multi-Level Marketing, or similar business structures are not eligible.
Businesses must be ‘for-profit’ enterprises. Non-profits are eligible to compete in the contest but are required to produce “for-profit” financials and business strategies.
All team members must be over 18 years of age.
Contest judges will recuse themselves if he/she has a conflict of interest (i.e. family, financial, or business relationship).
Judges’ decisions are final, including interpretation of the rules.
Winners will receive half their business investment following the awards ceremony and the other half upon achieving a mutually agreed upon business milestone noted in the business plan. (i.e.- official opening of business, signed lease, payment system, website, etc.). An official agreement is signed by both parties prior to the investment distribution that includes the milestone that must be met during the current competition calendar year.

**In the event that the competition does not generate enough participants, Kittitas County Chamber of Commerce reserves the right to amend the registration deadline.

The Pitch Day

The Pitch Day takes place on Thursday, May 25, 2023 from 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. at the Foundry, located at 421B N Main St, Ellensburg, WA 98926. Set times will be given to contestants once registration closes. On this day, business owners will have the opportunity to pitch their business to a panel of judges to potentially win $10,000.

That same day, the winner will be announced during the Awards Ceremony at 4:00 p.m.

How the contest works

Contestants apply with a Business Summary (2-page max word document)
Upon registration closing and final selection of businesses, we will be asking you to submit your Business Plan and a presentation for the Pitch Day.
The Pitch Day will consist of Final Presentations to a panel of judges
Judges use scoring criteria to evaluate contestants on how well they have thought through and developed their marketing, financing, management and operations plans. These judges the provide contestants feedback on their business plans.
The contestant with the highest score will be awarded the prize money of $10,000 at an awards ceremony following The Pitch.

Judging Criteria

The Pitch

Sponsors

Empowering Local Business, Enriching Community.