Cox Business Seeks Orange County’s Most Innovate Entrepreneurs for Pitch Competition

FOOTHILL RANCH, Calif. – Cox Business is looking for local entrepreneurs, startups and small business owners for its fourth annual Get Started Orange County (OC) pitch competition. Companies interested in growing their business can pitch their business plan for the opportunity to win $10,000 in cash and technology prizes during the live judging event being held April 26 at the [AV] Irvine.

As part of the ongoing Get Started business series, local entrepreneurs pitch their business to a panel of judges consisting of successful entrepreneurs and investors. Judges include Kristen Mangers, Managing Director for Chicklabs, Doug Pennington, Founder of Archangels Investors, and David Meltzer, CEO of Sports 1 Marketing. Get Started OC will be moderated by Ken Kraft, Senior Vice President of Marketing for Cox Business. All contestants and event attendees will receive valuable advice from the judges at the conclusion of each pitch.

Local entrepreneurs interested in competing can enter at www.coxblue.com/getstartedoc/ where they must provide a 250-word description of the idea or business plan to be pitched. Applications will close on March 31, 2017. Entrants will be notified if they have been selected as a finalist. The five finalists will receive two coaching sessions in advance of the competition to prepare.

Last year, Chad Zani won the Cox Business’ Get Started OC contest with the ENVi mobile app which provides an on-demand car washing service that uses a waterless, biodegradable substance to clean cars. Zani won the competition as a wild card entrant where he had to compete against the five finalists who had already been selected. ENVi also won the People’s Choice award based on audience feedback.

“Cox Business’ goal is to be an enabler of innovation. Get Started OC has become a great way for entrepreneurs and small business owners to gain valuable business experience and learn from peers in a variety of industries,” said Jodi Duva, Vice President, Cox Business. “Several of the participants at our past Get Started OC events have moved on to receive venture capital funding noting that their experience with Cox Business helped them prepare to speak with investors.”

Attending the Get Started OC pitch competition is open to the public. Audience members can also participate in a Q&A geared toward small business owners and startups and have networking opportunities. Register at www.coxblue.com/getstartedoc/ to secure a free admission to Get Started OC.

For more information on Get Started, please visit www.coxblue.com.

About Cox Communications

Cox Communications is a broadband communications and entertainment company, providing advanced digital video, Internet, telephone and home security and automation services over its own nationwide IP network. The third-largest U.S. cable TV company, Cox serves approximately 6 million residences and businesses. Cox Business is a facilities-based provider of voice, video and data solutions for commercial customers, and Cox Media is a full-service provider of national and local cable spot and digital media advertising. Cox is known for its pioneering efforts in cable telephone and commercial services, industry-leading customer care and its outstanding workplaces. For eight years, Cox has been recognized as the top operator for women by Women in Cable Telecommunications; Cox has ranked among DiversityInc's Top 50 Companies for Diversity 10 times, including the last nine years. More information about Cox Communications, a wholly owned subsidiary of Cox Enterprises, is available at www.cox.com and www.coxmedia.com.