Business pitch competition open to Nevada startups at conference

Nevada based startup companies looking for an opportunity to showcase their unique products or services while competing for cash and prizes should look no further.

The Governor’s Conference on Business 2017 is hosting a business pitch competition as part of the annual business resource and networking conference.

A two-minute pitch in front of a panel of judges will net two entrepreneurs cash and prizes totaling $30,600. In addition, an audience vote will determine the winner of the People’s Choice Award and $1,000.

The competition, sponsored by AT&T, The Abbi Agency, Microsoft and Vast: Powered by the CFO Group, is open to Nevada-based businesses with an active state business license, in operation two years or less and earning less than $250,000 in annual gross revenue. The competition is open to businesses located throughout the state, but applicants selected as finalists must be able to attend the conference in Sparks on Aug. 17 to make a live pitch to a panel of judges.

Prizes are as follows:

First place — $5,000 cash; computer hardware, software and technical support and training from Microsoft valued at $7,500; budgeting and cash flow management advising and training from VAST valued at $4,800; and customized social media and public relations services from The Abbi Agency valued at $3,500.

Second place — $2,500 cash; computer hardware, software and technical support and training from Microsoft valued at $2,500; budgeting and cash flow management advising and training from VAST valued at $3,300; and customized social media and public relations services from The Abbi Agency valued at $1,500.

People’s Choice — $1,000 cash

To apply, a business must submit a $40 application fee and a completed application packet to the Department of Business and Industry by 8 a.m. June 26. The application fee also provides admission for one to the conference and luncheon.

Startups with a direct or indirect operational relationship to an existing large scale corporation, investment fund or government agency aren’t eligible to apply.

Competition judges will independently review and score all eligible applications to select 10 finalists.

Up to 10 finalists will make a two minute in-person pitch in front of a judge’s panel at the Governor’s Conference on Business 2017 on Aug. 17 at the Nugget Casino Resort in Sparks.

First, second and People’s Choice awards and prizes will be announced and presented to the winners during the conference luncheon program.

Additional information about business pitch competition eligibility, application, rules and guidelines can be found at http://business.nv.gov/GCB/Home, or by calling Chris Weiss at 702-486-5320.