Aberdeen Business Pitch Competition to award winner $10,000

ABERDEEN, S.D. (Dakota News Now) – The Aberdeen Development Corporation and Northern State’s Innovation and Startup Center are hosting a Business Pitch Competition that will award the winning entrepreneur $10,000, and the deadline to enter is approaching.

Almost since the beginning of time, businesspeople have had to make a presentation or pitch about getting a location, getting a sales situation going, or getting financing. A $10,000 cash prize will be awarded to a start-up or new business that makes the most sensible presentation in the Aberdeen Business Pitch Competition.

“We do a competition currently at Northern State University focused on students, but we always wanted to take it to a community-wide stage and this is really that opportunity. So, we’re pretty excited about it,” said Aberdeen Development Corporation Chief Executive Officer Mike Bockorny.

The application deadline is May 31, and Mike outlines who is eligible to apply.

“It’s really for anybody that either has an idea or you’re in the beginning stages of operating a business. We want to help them launch their business and/or take it to the next level, and you know, see where they can take it. And what it does for the community and the region,” said Bockorny.

What does he expect to see in those applying to the competition?

“What you’re going to see is a lot of opportunity there where people are looking to address a need in the community. Something that doesn’t already exist and, you know, that’s going to be great for the business owner, entrepreneur, but it also helps the community as well because it’ll offer a new service or retail spot for something that doesn’t currently exist,” said Bockorny.

The finalists will be announced by June 21 and the presentation portion of the competition will take place at Engels Events Company on July 29. Bea Smith, NSU Innovation Center Director, outlines how the judging will work.

“Our preliminary judges will be one pool of judges, followed by our finalist event, which is a community event and open to the public in which the individuals will then pitch their idea to the second panel of judges. This truly is an opportunity for all of northeast South Dakota to come and rally around our entrepreneurial and our startup community that we have here,” said Smith.

Learn more about the Aberdeen Business Pitch Competition here.

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