Start-up: January 2009 Archives

We are pleased to announce FastPitch Nashville.  It is a value-packed, three-phase event designed to help you get your business idea out of your head and into the market.

FastPitch is a competition to showcase great entrepreneurial ideas. Entrepreneurs compete with 60-second pitches in front of three judges and a live audience for cash awards.

Phase 1: PitchCamp

All applicants are invited to PitchCamp, a half-day intensive and interactive workshop focusing on idea creation and effective communication. The day will begin with world-renowned think-tank innovator, Jeff Stamp, who will present a captivating seminar on idea generation helping you take your good idea and make it STELLAR! Jeff was recently awarded the George Land World-Class Innovator Award from the Innovation Network and Fast Company Magazine. The second part of the day will be lead by Scott Schwertly. Scott owns and operates Ethos3 Communications, an internationally renowned and award-winning presentation design and training company located in Nashville, TN.

Details

• When: Friday, February 6, 2009, 1-5pm
• Who: Anybody that has, or wants to dream up, an idea
• Where: Gordon Inman Center, Belmont University
• Cost: $35 per person

Phase 2:  OPENPitch

Participants will then move on to OPENPitch, where they will each be allowed to present their refined 60-second pitch. Finalists will then be selected to move on to the FASTPITCH MAIN EVENT and compete for cash prizes and more.

Details

• When: Friday, February 27, 2009, 8am-12pm and Saturday, March 7, 2009, 1-4pm
• Who: Entrepreneurs wanting to pitch their idea at FastPitch
• How: Details will be emailed once registered.
• Where: Friday at Belmont, Saturday at Cummins Station Board Room
• Cost: $35 or FREE for PitchCamp alumni

Phase 3:  FastPitch

The selected finalists will present their well-crafted 60-second pitches to a live audience and a panel of select judges from the academic, investor and entrepreneurial community of Nashville for the chance to win cash prizes and the opportunity to present to the Angel Capital Group for funding. This event is also open to the public in which attendees will participate by voting at the event to choose the winning ideas.  This is your chance, Nashville, to pick your winner.

Details

• When: Tuesday, March 31, 2009
• Who: Open to the public
• Where: Curb Event Center, Belmont University
• Cost: Free

Register online at www.fastpitchnashville.com

One source of invaluable information when thinking about starting a new business is to talk to entrepreneurs already in business.  My students are generally hesitant to call on entrepreneurs to get information or advice.  I stress to them that my experience has been that most entrepreneurs are more than willing to help an aspiring entrepreneur, even a possible new competitor, because an entrepreneur probably helped them out when they were first getting started.

I tell my students that 9 out of 10 (90%) of entrepreneurs I have known are more than willing to help new entrepreneurs out with some wisdom, advice or even market intelligence.

That 90% figure I use was just a wild estimate.  But, a recent survey by SurePayroll of small business owners seems to back me up.  It found that 91% are willing to offer advice to new entrepreneurs.  OK, so I was off by 1%....