2026 Charlie Walker Pitch Challenge

Presented by JRI Hospitality and The Bennington State Bank

The fifth annual Charlie Walker Pitch Challenge will be held on Wednesday, April 1st at 6pm at Kansas State University-Salina, College Center Conference Room (2310 Centennial Rd). 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 (7 minutes) followed by judge Q&A

1st Place- $6000 cash prize
2nd Place- $4000 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 16th, 2026, at 11:59pm. Ten (10) applicants will then be chosen to move on and compete on April 1st 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.

'How To Pitch Your Business'
Thursday, Feb. 12 I 5:30-8:30p
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--11171/details