In a couple of weeks, I'm giving away $5,000 to an Appalachian founder.
This is our fourth year running the CreatorCon Pitch Battle, and it has gotten better — and more competitive — every single year. Five founders pitch live, in front of judges and a full room, for a shot at $5,000 with no strings attached.
Here's why this matters to me personally: I've received prize money for a couple of my own businesses, and it was the difference in getting them off the ground. Not the whole answer — but it validated the solution and was the thing that made the next step possible.
If you know a Southwest Virginia founder with a product or service worth showcasing, encourage them to apply. And if their application is accepted, they get free access to the rest of the conference and a spot to showcase what they're building.
So here's my ask: reach out to a business owner this week and tell them to apply. That nudge from you might be the reason somebody walks out of that room with $5,000.
