The 2nd annual Charlie Walker Pitch Challenge to be held at Kansas Wesleyan University on Friday, March 24, 2023 is officially opened as announced by startup Salina. This challenge is open to startups and young businesses actively existing for not more than three years. The challenge is an opportunity to win up to $7500 in cash prices.
In 2022 top three winners who emerged earned a combined $16,000. Joyful Noise Studios, winner of the top prize used the prize money for business expansion including finding a larger location in Salina.
Joyful Noise Studios owner, Melisa Burrows described the competition as an amazing opportunity where the actual process of preparation brought competitors to a greater awareness of their business even if they did not emerge as winners.
“We also loved making connections with other businesses as well as business leaders in the community. The money we were awarded has been used to help grow our business offerings and we have great plans for the future.” Burrows explained.
Bennington State Bank and JRI Hospitality is presenting the 2023 event alongside sponsors such as Network Kansas and VenureDash. Cash prizes will be awarded to the best five finishers among the competitors ranging from $7,500, $4,500, $3,000, $2,000, and $1000 in descending order.
The application process involves presenting a business plan accompanied by a 3 minute video to introduce the business idea you are presenting. Applications are free and will be submitted until 11:59 P.M, March 10, 2023. The opportunity is open to residents of Saline County and others from Dickinson, Ellsworth, Ottawa, and McPherson counties.
After the submission deadline, applications will be reviewed, scored and the assessment will be used to select ten applicants to proceed to the main event which is the pitch competition.
The main event will hold at KWU’s Peters Science Hall on Friday, March 24, 2023. After competitors pitch their business plan to the judges under five minutes as is obtainable with similar shows, judges scrutinize competitors and reach conclusions from their complete presentation. The presentation scores are tabulated before winners are announced among the ten competitors.
This challenge was inaugurated to honor the memory of the iconic Charlie Walker, the Salina businessman who founded companies including truck and RV washes company Blue Beacon International based in Salina and Rolling Hills Zoo which is situated close to Hedville. Walkers family have continued to uphold Walker’s legacy by leading some selected civic causes in Salina since he died in 2012.
Renee Duxler, Interim CEO & President of the Salina Area Chamber of Commerce commended the Walker family for the vision and dedication. According to Duxler: “This event has evolved from a group of them, to include the Walker Family, wanting to encourage entrepreneurship in a really fun and educational way. This pitch competition really does achieve that.”
Companies interested in the competition may follow the startup Salina this February to receive training on how to pitch their business for the challenge. Potential contestants may also inquire from Renee Duxler via rduxler@salinakansas.org
As reported in
https://salinapost.com/posts/3633820e-536e-4ee1-953b-351593b20eeb
