Summit Showdown: 10 Local Entrepreneurs Compete for $5,000 in Pitch Coopetition
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Summit County, Colorado - June 18, 2024 - Summit County's entrepreneurial spirit is soaring to new heights with the launch of the Summit Founder Coopetition, an exciting showcase of local talent and innovation. Presented by Summit Economic Partnership (SEP) in collaboration with StartupColorado, this groundbreaking initiative promises to ignite creativity and drive economic growth in Summit County.
Ten of Summit County's promising businesses have been selected for the opportunity to compete for a $5,000 prize to fuel their growth and take their ventures to the next level. The participating businesses are Wildstack, Magic Marketing, SkyGOAT, TreadShare, Buttnski, Llama Corporation, Folcland, Stay Loci, CodeBeetle, and SeaRex Solutions.
SEP's Executive Director, Thayer Hirsh, who emerged as a winner in the statewide 2023 Founder's Coopetition, is excited to bring this opportunity to Summit County entrepreneurs.
"The Summit Founder Coopetition is like Summit County's very own 'Shark Tank,' where local businesses showcase their innovative businesses, refine their pitches, and compete for funding to make their dreams a reality," says Hirsh.
The program, which kicked off on May 29th, culminates with each business presenting a 90-second video pitch, vying for the $5,000 grant to support their growth initiatives. Local and state community leaders, including SEP board member and Summit County Commissioner Nina Waters, will rank the pitches, and the winner will be announced in early July.
In collaboration with StartupColorado, SEP covers all costs for participants, thanks to grants from DOLA, Summit County, and generous contributions from sponsors including CHFA, Xcel Energy, Energize Colorado, and Freeport McMoRan.
There will be a Summit Founders Coopetition Celebration and Networking event on Wednesday, June 19, from 4 PM - 6 PM at Vine Street Social, and the public is welcome to attend.
In addition to the Summit Founder Coopetition, SEP offers the Economic Gardening program, providing one-on-one consulting services to eligible companies to accelerate growth and increase revenues. Applications for the Economic Gardening program are accepted on a rolling basis. For more information about SEP's programs and initiatives, visit www.summitpartnership.org.
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For media inquiries, interview requests, or further information about SEP and its impactful programs, please contact:
Thayer Hirsh, Executive Director
thayer@summitpartnership.org
Lauren Swanson, Public Relations
lauren@sociallyqueued.com
About Summit Economic Partnership (SEP)
The Summit Economic Partnership (SEP) is a 501c3 non-profit organization dedicated to fostering economic diversification, workforce development, and entrepreneurial expansion in Summit County, Colorado. At SEP's helm is a dedicated board of directors, comprising top-level executives, elected officials, and industry leaders, who act as champions for local businesses and workers alike. Through mentorship, vocational training, innovative programming, and strategic partnerships, SEP bridges critical gaps to ensure the prosperity of Summit County's economic landscape.
With Summit County's economy heavily influenced by tourism and outdoor recreation, SEP's initiatives are instrumental in empowering the local workforce and businesses to thrive amidst economic adversities. SEP envisions a future where every entity in Summit County can flourish, and they remain steadfast in their efforts to sow the seeds for a flourishing, inclusive economic future. For further information about the Summit Economic Partnership, visit www.summitpartnership.org.