Winning The Creative Coast’s FastPitch competition in 2011 turned out to be a major game changer for SCAD graduate student Jamie Bowerman.
Jamie took top honors for his convertible backpack/messenger pouch/saddlebag design and quickly launched a successful Kickstarter fundraising campaign. Under the company name BowerBags, he produced “The World’s Greatest Backpack,” earned praise from Innovation magazine and stocked retail stores across the country with his creative designs.
In today’s business world, ideas serve as the ultimate capital. The FastPitch program is designed to identify promising local entrepreneurs with great ideas and to help them start new ventures or grow existing ones. The concept allows entrepreneurs to make a three-minute pitch featuring their innovative venture.
“The FastPitch process provides the real-life spark necessary to move a start-up from an abstract idea to a marketable reality,” says Creative Coast chairman Dana Braun. “It’s an incredible opportunity for aspiring entrepreneurs.”
On Thursday, March 28, more than 100 innovators will convene at the Savannah Morning News Auditorium to share their ideas, compete for up to $6,000 in prizes and earn the chance to become the next FastPitch success story. Organized by The Creative Coast, FastPitch entrepreneurs will pitch their ideas and help move their product or service from concept to market.
Participants will be judged by a panel of community leaders and local investors. Coaching and feedback are provided before, during and after the FastPitch event, helping aspiring entrepreneurs make the most of their ideas.
To participate, FastPitch competitors completed a one-page overview of their product or service and worked one-on-one with experienced coaches to refine their one-page description and polish their verbal presentation.
For 2013, entrepreneurs will compete in three categories: student entrepreneurs, early stage entrepreneurs (who have developed a product or service, but have not yet started to market it) and local entrepreneurs (who have started to market their product/service).
This high-energy event offers the opportunity to support the entrepreneurial spirit and to celebrate creativity. Ultimately, however, FastPitch demonstrates how vibrant our local business community has become. Come and see for yourself.
For more information about FastPitch, please call The Creative Coast office at 912-447-8457 or go to www.fastpitchcompetition.com.
Jennifer Abshire owns Abshire Public Relations and is a Creative Coast board member. Contact her at abshirepr@att.net.