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2023 Charlie Walker Pitch Challenge

Salina, KS


Business application deadline
March 22, 2023
Judge sign-up deadline
Entry fee
Free
Join this competition

Description

Presented by JRI Hospitality and The Bennington State Bank

The second annual Charlie Walker Pitch Challenge will be held on Friday, March 24 at 6pm at Kansas Wesleyan University, Peters Science Hall (100 E. Claflin). The Challenge is open to residents of Saline, Ellsworth, McPherson, Dickinson, and Ottawa counties. Start-up businesses as well as businesses who have been operating for three (3) years or less are encouraged to apply.

The competition consists of three elements:
  • Full business plan (limited to 12 pages)
  • Elevator pitch video (2-3 minute video)
  • Live pitch presentation (5 minutes) followed by judge Q&A

1st Place- $7500 cash prize
2nd Place- $4500 cash prize
3rd Place- $3000 cash prize
4th Place- $2000 cash prize
5th Place- $1000 cash prize

Application for the competition consists of uploading full business plan, as well as the URL link to a 2-3 minute elevator pitch video that summarizes your business. Application deadline is March 10th, 2023 at 11:59pm. Ten (10) applicants will then be chosen to move on and compete on March 24th at 6pm for the live pitch presentation and Q&A.  

The entrepreneurial challenge is named in honor of local businessman Charlie Walker, the founder of Blue Beacon Truck Wash, Rolling Hills Zoo, and numerous other businesses. Mr. Walker spent his entire lifetime dedicated to local philanthropy and community support prior to passing away in 2012. His family continues Charlie's commitment to the Salina community through a broad range of civic causes.

Schedule and key dates

'How To Pitch Your Business'  
Tues, Feb. 28 | 5:30-7pm
Prepare for the pitch challenge by taking this free workshop at Kansas State University-Salina.
Click here to register: https://web.salinakansas.org/events/-How-To-Pitch-Your-Business-Workshop-9862/details

Organized by

StartUp Salina

Date and time

Address and location

Kansas Wesleyan University
Peters Science Hall
Salina, KS

Components

Full Business Plan

The full business plan is a written document, in PDF format, including details o...

Weight: 33.3%
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Elevator Pitch (Video)

The Elevator Pitch is a short pitch of an entrepreneur's business to a pane...

Weight: 33.3%
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Live Pitch Presentation

The Live Pitch Presentation is a five (5) minute presentation where each busines...

Weight: 33.3%
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