@story MARLA CANTRELL
During the course of this year, @Urban is going to bring you stories about ordinary people who have come up with extraordinary ideas, promoting positive changes in the lives of those around them. Here’s our first.
What if it only took sixty seconds to change your life? Would you be willing to try? On February 27, the first ever River Valley version of Gone in 60 Seconds will take place at Second Street Live in Fort Smith. Think of it as a cross between American Idol and Shark Tank. Contestants will have one minute to pitch their idea and sway investors from across the state, who will be judging the competition. They’ll be looking for great concepts for new or growing businesses, technological innovations, or services that have the potential to rake in millions once they’re developed.
When the night is over, the three people with the best ideas will walk away with cash prizes. The grand prize winner will receive $1,000. Second place earns $300. And third place will get you $200. But the opportunities don’t stop there. All the participants have the chance to wow the investors, and could strike up a deal all their own.
What happens to the top three is this. The trio will train with a team from Innovate Arkansas, who will help them hone their business plan and get them ready to present a much longer, more formal presentation. That will take place about a month and a half later.
At that time, the investors will have a chance to ask questions, and weigh their options for possibly funding any or all of the three ideas that have made it to the final showdown.
Wondering how to get started? You begin with your great idea. You can even be in business now and hoping to expand your company. Log on to centuriaventures.com and find the section entitled “elevator pitch.”
From there you’ll be led through a series of questions. Most are simple ones, like describing what it is you have to offer. If you get stuck anywhere in the process, contact Brandon Cox via email at bcox@propak.com for help.
The deadline to enter is January 31. Once the applications are reviewed, the fifteen selected to pitch will be notified.
Fayetteville has already hosted two similar events. The last one was in October, in a barbeque joint, where 200 people crowded in to watch the 20 contestants take the mic and pitch their ideas, all in 60 seconds.
The grand prize winner was twenty-four-year-old Max Mahler, who stood on a chair and belted out his message. “After I won I had great feedback from many influential people and it has really inspired me to take my idea (a coffee business) to the next level,” Max said. “The best thing about the event is the energy in the room and getting to hear other people's ideas.”
The organizers of Fort Smith’s Gone in 60 Seconds are Centuria Ventures and Innovate Arkansas. They believe the opportunities are endless. They’re also welcoming those who don’t want to pitch an idea but would like to watch this energy-filled competition unfold.
Those in charge have been busy contacting universities, potential investors and banks within a hundred-mile radius to get the word out. While they’re limiting their visits to this area, they won’t rule out someone with a good idea who lives farther away. Right now, they say, the field is wide open.
Who knows the amount of talent this contest will reveal? The creator of the next big thing might be right here among us, just waiting for a chance like Gone in 60 Seconds. So get going! This could be your chance to change your life.
Where: Second Street Live, 101 North 2nd, Fort Smith
When: February 27 at 6:30 p.m.
For more information, or to enter, log on to centuriaventures.com/elevator pitch.
Questions? Contact Brandon Cox at bcox@propak.com
To watch an elevator pitch, go to http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lk3rU6CFnLw&lr=1&noredirect=1
@Urban is a proud sponsor of Gone in 60 Seconds.