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The latest edition of New Enterprise Forum’s Pitch Pit took place Thursday night, July 24, 2014. Three entrepreneurs were given the opportunity to present their business ideas to an enthusiastic audience as well as a panel of esteemed judges. Tony Menyhart, founder of Easy Artisan Bread spoke about his “kneadless” bread mixes. Scott Phillips, CEO of The Search Lite, related the advantages of his technology in helping universities match market needs with technology benefits of students’ business ideas. Jason Beal of Regaingo shared the benefits of his interactive search engine that matches homeowners with contractors through a virtual lawn sign website.
All three presented to a panel of judges – Lauren Bigelow, Growth Capital Network, Adrian Ohmer, Invest Detroit and Jack Ahrens, Venture Capitalist – fielding detailed questions related to their business models. The panel question and answer period was particularly involved during this session. The judges provided insightful feedback and offered tips to the entrepreneurs on how to proceed with their efforts. After intense debate the judges awarded first prize, $216, to Jason Beal and Regaingo.
Pitch Pit provides early stage entrepreneurs an informal environment to present their ideas while getting invaluable feedback from members of the start-up support community of southern Michigan. The New Enterprise Forum presents Pitch Pit quarterly during their monthly Forum meeting. Meetings are open to the public and are free of charge. Entrepreneurs interested in becoming presenters are encouraged to visit the NEF website, www.newenterpriseforum.org, and submit their business idea. The next Pitch Pit event will take place on Thursday night October 16, 2014 at Ann Arbor SPARK, 330 E. Liberty, Ann Arbor, Michigan.
