Neighbor News
Cox Business Taps Entrepreneurs for Pitch Competition
Local entrepreneurs and small business owners can win $10,000 prize package, build their network at Cox's Get Started Orange County
LAKE FOREST, Calif. – March 29, 2016 – Cox Business is seeking local entrepreneurs, startups and small business owners interested in pitching their business plan or idea for a chance to walk away with more than $10,000 in cash and technology prizes at Get Started Orange County (OC). The competition will be held on April 20 at the [AV] in Irvine.
As part of the ongoing Get Started business series, local entrepreneurs will have the opportunity to pitch their business idea to a panel of judges consisting of successful entrepreneurs and distinguished experts. Judges will include Lindsay Blakely, Los Angeles bureau chief for Inc., Richard Sudek, executive director of UC Irvine Applied Innovation, Michael Sawitz, founder and CEO of FastStart Studio, and David Glickman, founder and CEO of Ultra Mobile and Primo Connect. Get Started OC will be moderated by Ken Kraft, 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 April 8, 2016. 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.
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Last year, local entrepreneur Torrey Tayenaka and his business partners won the Cox Business’ Get Started Orange County contest with the EvaDrop Smart Shower. Tayenaka won over judges with his environmental angle and a well thought out business plan to expand his product internationally.
“Get Started provided a real turning point for EvaDrop Smart Shower. The event’s panel of experts believed in our mission and gave us the advice and encouragement we needed to take our solution to the next level,” said Tayenaka. “Having Cox Business’ support is incredibly valuable as we continue to innovate and grow.”
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In 2015, Get Started held more than 18 pitch events across the country and awarded more than $250,000 in cash and prizes to local entrepreneurs. For more information on Get Started, please visit www.coxblue.com.
Those interested in attending should register at www.coxblue.com/getstartedoc/ to secure a free admission to Get Started OC.
