What is FastPitch?

In three minutes entrepreneurs pitch their business or business concepts to a group of judges from the business and investment community.

There are very creative and interesting concepts from people in the Region and at FastPitch they can showcase those ideas and learn what it takes to advance them.

Who: Passionate entrepreneurs in all phases of business, including startup or pre-startup; idea stage. High school seniors and college-age students welcome.

When: Wednesday, June 20, 2012, 3:30 p.m. (initial presentations), 5:30 p.m. (open to public)

Where: NIU Outreach Center-Rockford, 8500 E. State Street

Why: To win cash prizes, feedback & exposure!

In business, “three strikes” is generous. If you can’t pitch your product, service or concept in three minutes — you’re outta there!

The 6th Annual Stateline FastPitch Competition is your chance to prove the potential of your business idea…meet people who can help you succeed…maybe even win a cash prize! Competitors will have three minutes max to "hit it out of the park" before a panel of judges from the business and investment community. Verbal presentations only—no PowerPoint.

Top prize will be awarded $5,000 and cash prizes will be given to 2nd and 3rd place. There will also be a separate student category and $1000 top prize.

All competitors will receive invaluable feedback, a fun experience and valuable exposure
to investors, business leaders, potential mentors and media.

If you are interested in participating in the Stateline FastPitch Competition, please download documents number one and two below (number three is optional). Number one is the Contestant Form that needs to be completed and submitted along with your initial presentation. Please note this is just your preliminary submission to introduce your idea; it can be updated in the future. Number two is the Six Key Questions you'll need to answer regarding your idea, service, product, etc. Number three is our official Competition Flyer (optional). Please be patient...some files are large and will take a short time to download.

1. Contestant Form
2. Six Key Questions
3. Competition Flyer

New in 2012! We are partnering with our four neighboring counties in WI, which translates into more opportunities for competing. These two events (Rock & Walworth | Racine & Kenosha) will occur in August; please check back in the future for updates.

As in past, we are offering FastPitch Presentation Training on Tuesday, 6/12 and Thursday, 6/14 from 5:30-8 PM. We have found that the people that attend the Presentation Training feel more confident, their presentation is more concise and they are able to deliver it within the allotted three minute timeframe. There is a $10 fee for the presentation training.

2011 Winners

1st Place
Dan Nicholson (partner Erek Benz), Position Tech

2nd Place
Jason Beck, Wet Will-E Water Balloons

3rd Place
Connie Carlson, MyidentiKEY

Student Category Winners

1st Place

Sara Amiri (UW-Whitewater), Peer2Connect

2nd Place

Evan Preston (UW-Whitewater), Renwig Custom

Official article from the Rockford Register Star on the 2011 winners