Rhode Island Business Plan Competition to Host Elevator Pitch Contest Dec. 8

PROVIDENCE -- (Nov. 17, 2009) -- The Rhode Island Business Plan Competition today announced that it is accepting applications from aspiring and established entrepreneurs who want to participate in the fourth annual Rhode Island Elevator Pitch Contest on Dec. 8, which will award $1,000 in cash prizes.

Participants will present their business ideas in 90 seconds to a panel of judges and receive immediate feedback. The free event, open to the public, will be held at the Rhode Island Center for Innovation & Entrepreneurship in Providence.

“Knowing how to present succinctly is a key skill for successful entrepreneurs,” said Competition Co-chair Garrett B. Hunter. “The Elevator Pitch Contest provides a great opportunity to make a business pitch and get immediate feedback from experienced business professionals.”

$1,000 in Cash Prizes

Up to 30 presenters will make a 90-second presentation each to a panel of judges. Following each presentation, the judges will give feedback about the clarity and persuasiveness of the presentation. At the end of the event, cash prizes totaling $1,000 will be awarded to the best presenters.

Serving as judges will be: Guy Asadorian, co-founder, Tameracq Partners, Inc.; Jayne Donegan, associate general counsel, Textron Inc.; Jim Grace, president, InsureMyTrip.com; Annette Tonti, CEO, MoFuse; and Rick Wilkins, vice chair, Social Venture Partners Rhode Island.

Registrations to make a pitch are being accepted online at www.ri-bizplan.com. People who want to listen, but not present, are invited and may pre-register at the same website.

Sponsors of the 2010 Rhode Island Business Plan Competition

The Rhode Island Business Plan Competition is the leading community-supported business plan competition in the Northeast, and is currently supported by 32 sponsoring organizations that span private businesses, colleges and universities, and public and nonprofit entities.

Sponsors of the 2010 Rhode Island Business Plan Competition include: Hinckley, Allen & Snyder LLP, Kahn, Litwin, Renza & Co., Ltd., AM 790, Embolden Design, Johnson & Wales University, and the Rhode Island Economic Development Corporation.

Also supporting the competition are: Business Development Company of Rhode Island, Brown University, Bryant University, Cherrystone Angel Group, Citizens Bank, Coastway Community Bank, CVS/Caremark, Edwards Angell Palmer & Dodge, LLP, Federal Electronics, Inc., Foresight Science and Technology, Goodwin Procter LLP, InsureMyTrip.com, Morgan Stanley Smith Barney, Point Judith Capital, Providence Business News, Rhode Island Medical Society, Rhode Island Commodores, Rhode Island Society of Certified Public Accountants, Shazaam, Starkweather & Shepley, Slater Technology Fund, Tech Collective, The Mergis Group, University of Rhode Island, Webster Bank, and Ximedica.

Complete information, including rules, application procedures, guidelines, and business plan resources, is available at www.ri-bizplan.com.