Red Rock StartUP! Pitch Event Deadline Extended to March 9

The deadline for the Red Rock StartUP! pitch event has been extended until Wednesday, March 9. Through this Marion County Development opportunity, top finalists will go on to compete in a live pitch-off for cash prizes in both a youth and adult division.

To be eligible for the youth division, you must be 18 and under on January 1, 2022, a resident of Marion County or enrolled in one of the following school districts: Twin Cedars, Knoxville, Melcher-Dallas, Pella, PCM, Pella Christian or Pleasantville. Pitch ideas must be for a for-profit business, and your concept must be for a new business for Marion County or an existing Marion County business for less than three years. For eligibility in the adult division, preference goes to Marion County residents who are over 18. The pitch idea must not be a multi-level marketing company and must also be for a new business for Marion County or an existing business for less than three years with fewer than five full-time employees.

How to Enter

To enter, complete the online entry form. More information is available at marioncountyiowa.com.

All information submitted will be made public. Judges will look at how your business will solve a need for the Marion County area, differentiation from competitors, rollout milestones, financing, marketing, staffing and funding.

Next Steps

First-round finalists will continue with a Round Two Pitch Event on Thursday, April 7. This event will be open to the public and in front of community leaders, business leaders, potential investors and the general public. Participants in this event will have five minutes to pitch their business to judges.

For more information on the contest, visit the StartUP! webpage or email me at ceysink@marioncountyiowa.gov.

Looking for tools to help grow your startup or small business? Visit the Small Business Resources Hub to find the information you need or sign up for Mentor Connection to build relationships with a trusted group of mentors.