By Amber Kennedy
Aspiring entrepreneurs are invited to share their innovative business ideas in the first 757Pitch competition since February 2020. The event, sponsored by the Old Dominion University Institute for Innovation & Entrepreneurship (ODU-IIE) and Startwheel.org, challenges entrants to demonstrate a scalable, high-growth business model in a seven-minute pitch. Applications will be accepted until July 30.
The winner of 757Pitch receives a prize package of resources and training valued at $10,000, including free rent at Colley Executive Offices; logo and business card design; a headshot session; social media and marketing consultations; features in NFK Currents and on local radio; and access to the resources of ODU-IIE.
Successful applicants should be able to demonstrate a plan to scale their businesses to sell a product or service to national or international markets. In addition, pitch participants will have to demonstrate knowledge of their competitors and market size.
Selected pitch teams will be announced Aug. 8 and invited to attend a "How to Pitch" online session on Aug. 11 before participating in the live, in-person pitch competition from 6 to 8:30 p.m. Aug. 17 at Colley Executive Offices in Norfolk.
Since its launch in 2017, 757Pitch has selected 16 winners. The inaugural winner, Steve Waddell, founded the innovative fountain-faucet design company Nasoni and was recently recognized by Fast Company as a 2020 World Changing Idea finalist in the Consumer Product Category. The 757Pitch competition is one of several business development programs offered by ODU-IIE, which serves as a thought leader, convener and catalyst for innovation and entrepreneurship initiatives throughout Virginia.
For more information and to apply, visit 757Pitch.
