FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – Startup Junkie and the Northwest Arkansas Naturals minor league baseball club will collaborate this summer for the first ever in-game pitch competition at Arvest Ballpark.
This summer, three finalists will be chosen to have their video pitch submission broadcast during a live baseball game, as the Naturals take on the Midland Rock Hounds. The fans in attendance at the ballgame, which will be held the night of Aug. 29, will be given the opportunity to vote on their favorite pitch. The winner will be invited back to the ballpark on Sept. 2 where he or she will be awarded a check for $1,000.
“The opportunity for entrepreneurs to pitch their idea during a live baseball game will provide great exposure to new ideas and hopefully inspire new businesses to be created from the event,” Startup Junkie Executive Director Haley Allgood said. “We’re combining innovation with our nation’s past time in what I know will be an evening of fun for everyone involved.”
The three contestants will be chosen in an IdeaFame Online Pitch competition, which will launch in July. All participants will also be required to submit a 30-second clip of their pitch, which will be broadcast during the game for the three finalists who will be selected by a panel of judges.
The three finalists will also have the opportunity to attend the game and join the Startup Junkie team in the concourse of Arvest Ballpark, where they can pitch their ideas to fans in person throughout the game.
The winner, in addition to receiving a $1,000 check, will throw out the ceremonial first pitch on Sept. 2, the last game of the regular season.
Fans in attendance will be able to visit with members of the Startup Junkie team and learn more about the organization’s mission. Aspiring entrepreneurs in attendance will also be able to schedule appointments for free consulting.
“Holding an IdeaFame Live pitch competition during a professional baseball game potentially allows us to introduce a new audience to our region’s incredible entrepreneurial community,” Allgood said. “Our team will be on site to tell prospective clients how they can schedule free consulting meetings with us.”
To purchase tickets to Startup Night at the ballpark, visit the Northwest Arkansas Naturals website.
Anyone interested in competing must submit their video via YouTube to caleb@startupjunkie.org beginning June 17. Videos will be accepted until July 22. Submitted video pitches should be no longer than one minute. The three finalists chosen must also submit a 30-second video to be played during the live baseball game by August 5.
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About Startup Junkie: Startup Junkie is a team of passionate people working every day to help entrepreneurs win and communities thrive. We exist to educate, inspire, and support entrepreneurs and innovators through no-cost, one-on-one consulting; events, workshops, and programs; and access to capital and talent.
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